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INSIDE WASHINGTON
Congressional Insiders Poll
Click here to read how prominent political bloggers responded to these questions.
Q: Do you expect that another economic stimulus plan will be necessary in the next year?
Democrats (31 votes)
Yes 65 percent No 29 percent Maybe (volunteered) 6 percent
Yes
"When you're talking about plugging trillion-dollar holes, it may be wise to invest as much money as we need to fix the problem."
"We must do whatever we can to jump-start the economy, and if it takes another stimulus plan to do so, so be it."
"These first measures may be tough to swallow, but they are just enough to jump-start the economy; we'll need to keep maintaining the system to ensure growth."
"The Republicans dug a very deep hole."
"The Bush legacy is one that keeps on giving."
No
"We made the right investment at the right time to put America back on track -- something the Republicans will be held accountable for later."
"I don't believe so, but we're in an 'unscripted' era and no crystal balls."
"The president has made it clear that he will proceed with transformative initiatives like health care reform and clean-energy legislation. Those measures will have significant stimulative effect and will avert the need for another freestanding stimulus package. That said, we are likely to extend some of the safety-net programs, like unemployment benefits, food stamps, and home-heating assistance."
"But I do expect another TARP installment and perhaps narrower stimulus measures, as opposed to a comprehensive bill."
Maybe
"The approved plan has jobs built into it for the next two years, but if housing continues to collapse, additional steps may be necessary."
Q: Do you expect that another economic stimulus plan will be necessary in the next year?
Republicans (38 votes)
Yes 63 percent No 37 percent
Yes
"The Democrats' $1.1 trillion spending plan won't work, and everyone knows it. We will need a plan that will."
"With banks and others clamoring for additional funds, another stimulus will be proposed. However, if written poorly, it could easily get dumped."
"If the unemployment numbers continue to rise, small businesses continue to fail, and credit tightens even more due to the monumental debt load already approved by Congress and the president, further action will be needed."
"Even if we do need one, it would be difficult for the administration to pass another 'stimulus' plan after spending considerable political capital on the last one."
"We haven't really completed a stimulus plan yet."
"I'm not sure I'd say 'another stimulus' plan because I haven't seen a true 'stimulus' plan yet this Congress."
No
"This plan will probably not work as intended, but what is needed is fiscal austerity, not more spending."
"Eight billion dollars for a speedy train from Disneyland to Las Vegas was never necessary this year."
"Following the definition this administration employs, no 'stimulus' would ever be desirable."
"No, but one will be pushed, I'm sure."
"I do not believe the president will propose another stimulus package. If he does, it is an admission that this one failed and an opportunity for Republicans to say 'I told you so' in an election year. His political team is too smart to let that happen. In fact, they will be running a Democratic version of Reagan's 'stay the course' midterm of 1982, probably with similar results."
"The first trillion was bad enough."
Q: How concerned are your constituents that federal economic recovery aid has gone or will go to people and businesses that don't deserve it?
Democrats (31 votes)
Very concerned 26 percent Somewhat concerned 55 percent Not concerned 19 percent
Very concerned
"It's almost too big and too diverse to trust. The proof will be in a stronger economy and effective transparency."
Somewhat concerned
"Everyone knows there will be some errors in judgment. The concern is: 1) How much will be done poorly, and, more important, 2) Will the program work overall?"
"Everyone wants to get onto the gravy train, and we need to be as careful as possible to see that those who most need it get the help and that the stimulus is going to the right people and businesses."
"They watched Bush/Paulson mess up the first part of the TARP money."
"My constituents don't want us to bail out homeowners who stupidly got in over their heads... that is, until they start considering the impact of numerous foreclosures on the safety of their neighborhood and the price of their home."
"Folks don't want money wasted, but the focus is on jobs, jobs, jobs."
"We're going to have to save some people who don't deserve to be saved."
Not concerned
" 'Deserve' is a very subjective word. The president has enacted unprecedented accountability measures for federal aid including Recovery.gov to help track funds and to ensure they are properly used."
"The Obama's administration's transparency and accountability requirements will ensure it's targeted and spent wisely."
"My constituents want the death penalty for bankers, but they like funds for teachers, high-speed rail, and science."
Q: How concerned are your constituents that federal economic recovery aid has gone or will go to people and businesses that don't deserve it?
Republicans (37 votes)
Very concerned 84 percent Somewhat concerned 16 percent Not concerned 0 percent
Very concerned
"There is a groundswell of disgust and outrage at the pork in the Democrats' spending bill, and it is growing by the day."
"My phones have been ringing off the hook with angry constituents who are mad about these massive spending bills."
"Through phone calls, e-mails, letters, and personal contact, constituents are overwhelmingly opposed to the wasteful, nonstimulative spending included in the $3 [trillion] to $4 trillion in debt that we have saddled our children and grandchildren with in the past three months."
"There is a lot of confusion out there in my district about who is getting what, when, how, and why. My constituents grasp the fact that we can tell exactly where tax relief goes. The same can't be said for all government spending."
"They are more concerned about the federal government taking the lead role in the economy, becoming the first provider for jobs, lending, and schools instead of allowing the free-enterprise system to succeed."
"Private-sector tax cuts work; public spending leads to waste, fraud, and abuse. It is the people's money."
"Lavish corporate parties -- need I say more?"
"It is outrageous that much of the initial TARP funding to financial institutions is not transparent to either the Congress or the public."
"The 'porkulus' was about as targeted as a preschool archery contest."
"I predict an average of once per week there will be a new discovery of misspent dollars or unintended issues."
"Never underestimate the ability of people to 'game' the system. There will be some horror stories that Republicans will use effectively in 2010."
National Journal Insiders
Democratic Congressional Insiders Sens. Sherrod Brown, Ben Cardin, Thomas Carper, Christopher Dodd, Edward Kennedy, Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Mikulski, Mark Pryor, Jon Tester; Reps. Jason Altmire, Robert Andrews, Michael Arcuri, Tammy Baldwin, Melissa Bean, Xavier Becerra, Howard Berman, Marion Berry, Rick Boucher, Michael Capuano, Dennis Cardoza, Chris Carney, James Clyburn, Jim Cooper, Joseph Crowley, Elijah Cummings, Artur Davis, Diana DeGette, Rosa DeLauro, Eliot Engel, Anna Eshoo, Sam Farr, Chaka Fattah, Bob Filner, Alcee Hastings, Mike Honda, Steve Israel, Frank Kratovil, Jim Langevin, John Lewis, Zoe Lofgren, Nita Lowey, Carolyn Maloney, Ed Markey, Jim McDermott, Jim McGovern, Kendrick Meek, Jim Moran, David Price, Silvestre Reyes, Jan Schakowsky, Jose Serrano, Adam Smith, John Spratt, Pete Stark, John Tanner, Ellen Tauscher, Bennie Thompson, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Henry Waxman, and Peter Welch.
GOP Congressional Insiders Sens. Lamar Alexander, Jim Bunning, John Cornyn, Jim DeMint, Lindsey Graham, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Johnny Isakson, Richard Lugar, Mel Martinez, Lisa Murkowski, Olympia Snowe, John Thune, David Vitter; Reps. Michele Bachmann, Brian Bilbray, Marsha Blackburn, Roy Blunt, John Boehner, Charles Boustany, Kevin Brady, John Campbell, Eric Cantor, John Carter, Michael Castle, Tom Cole, Mike Conaway, David Dreier, Jeff Flake, Scott Garrett, Bob Goodlatte, Kay Granger, Doc Hastings, Pete Hoekstra, Bob Inglis, Darrell Issa, Peter King, Jack Kingston, Mark Kirk, John Kline, Christopher Lee, Dan Lungren, Kenny Marchant, Kevin McCarthy, Patrick McHenry, John Mica, Candice Miller, Sue Myrick, Devin Nunes, Mike Pence, Tom Price, Adam Putnam, Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Mike Rogers of Michigan, Paul Ryan, Pete Sessions, John Shadegg, Adrian Smith, Mark Souder, Pat Tiberi, Fred Upton, and Joe Wilson.