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Reporting and analysis from ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and "This Week" Host George Stephanopoulos

George Stephanopoulos reports on events in politics, Congress and the White House for ABCNews, on the air and online. He interviews top newsmakers, discusses the events of the week and looks to the week ahead each Sunday on 'This Week.'

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No Compromise On Stimulus and Trade Agreement, Emanuel Says

November 09, 2008 1:01 PM

Emanuel_081110_main President-elect Barack Obama said this week that he wants Congress to pass a fresh economic stimulus package "sooner rather than later."

Democratic leaders proposed last month that Congress reconvene after the election for a rare lame-duck session to pass a new stimulus, but the White House is reluctant to do so in the final months of Bush's presidency. However, the administration signaled that the President could sign on this year if Congress attached the Columbia Free Trade Agreement.

When I asked incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel this morning whether this was a trade worth taking, he made clear that Obama opposes the compromise: "You don't link those essential needs to some other trade deal," he said on "This Week."

On what a broader stimulus would look like under the Obama administration, Emanuel said, "it is essential that we focus on the stress and strains on the middle class."

But he would not say whether the President-elect would postpone his proposed tax increase on the wealthy.

--George Stephanopoulos

November 9, 2008 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (107)

User Comments

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Rahm again is looking out for the American people first. As we see many of the Clinton staff included in the Obama team. Clinton staffers were loyal and it paid off. I wonder what happen to the turn coat Communication Director Clinton had. Oh well it shows what real friendship means. Obama had a good lesson from Bill Clinton's experience. Bill and Hillary helped Obama win his Senate seat. Now Rahm will fight for the rights of Americans in the Obama Administration. At lease Obama/Biden know who the people are as many change sides now.

Posted by: Jackie | Nov 9, 2008 3:04:49 PM

jwench,

How would McCain have acted differently? First, he would not plan to raise taxes on businesses or capital gains as we head into a recession. this is truly irresponsible. Second, McCain never proposed an additional 700B to 1T in new social programs at a time when we already have programs we simply cannot pay for. Third, McCain would have allowed domestic production of oil. Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are waiting and watching Obama. If they can prey on his lack of foreign policy experience to threaten worldwide oil supply they can drive the price back over $120/barrel. When Joe Biden spoke of the impending failure in the first six months of an Obama administration this was the first area I thought would be a target. Of course, this is the same scenario that caused Carter to implode. History repeats...

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:05:23 PM

Posted by: Keyrell | Nov 9, 2008 3:02:05 PM

When and where did he say that? He did say the middle class will get a tax cut and the wealthy would pay more. Show me a specific quote that states what you said from a non Republican news site.

Posted by: Jwench | Nov 9, 2008 3:05:30 PM

yes it is 1000.00 per person per household. Me and my old lady will be getting busy. I figure with the 8 kids that we have plus having 3 or 4 more in Obamas firt 4 years, we could be raking in 13-14,000 per year. Add that to my unemployment & "side jobs" we're set!

Posted by: Keyshawn | Nov 9, 2008 3:07:55 PM

wench Definition
wench (wenc̸h)

noun

a girl or young woman: now a derogatory or jocular term
Archaic
a country girl
a female servant
a sexually loose and immoral woman

Posted by: | Nov 9, 2008 3:09:04 PM

It seems a lot of people are confusing the stimulus package to be the same as the last time. NO, this go directly into creation of jobs and other things like road repairs which we further create jobs. It wont be same as last time. you may get some check but not what you think

Posted by: vuzous | Nov 9, 2008 3:09:11 PM

Keyrell understands the impression that was left with Obama supporters. I have a few in my office. They really believe from listening to Obama that it is now their time to suckle on the government teat. If Obama is as intelligent as some believe he should have known how his promises would be perceived. He will now have to explain to these people that it was all just a campaign promise. Of course, this comes AFTER he got their vote. Wait until this group realizes that higher taxes on business will cost them their jobs.

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:11:05 PM

More jobs? Road work? What are you taliking about? Obama never mentioned work. He old said he was going to give away money by taking it from other and giving us some cash. Wait a minute here...

Posted by: Luther | Nov 9, 2008 3:12:30 PM

Obama doesn't have a ball sack. His wife does.

Posted by: Jeff | Nov 9, 2008 3:14:06 PM

And people should forget drilling. That drilling issue was a gimmick. I will go with Obama and his alternatives. That is the future of the 21st century and it will also eliminate our dependence on foreign oil making us more secure. We have too many enemies just because of oil. They will never tell you, the two gulf wars was as a result of oil, the Georgian debacle was also due to oil. It is time to focus on Americans, rebuild our military and reduce out interference in other countries affairs and still maintain our world power.

Posted by: vuzous | Nov 9, 2008 3:15:04 PM

Top 2012 campain slogans:

1) Just say no to socialism
2) It doesn't take "special intelligence" to drive the economy into the ditch
3) New spinners for everyone!
4) Listen to what I say not what I do - please (B. Obama)
5) Hype over results for four more years

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:16:00 PM

vuzous -
I agree as long as the 1000 is coming

Posted by: LaRoyal | Nov 9, 2008 3:16:20 PM

craigs list has spinners on sale

Posted by: LaFonda | Nov 9, 2008 3:17:15 PM

LaFonda, hey, quit being cheap. You got the Obama ATM in your house. You don't need to buy second hand.

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:18:33 PM

Yeah, more jobs. The Stimulus issue was where Biden made that gaffe, three-letter words, JOBS. And it also was the issue that resonated when Hillary Clinton said jobs, baby, jobs

Posted by: vuzous | Nov 9, 2008 3:18:38 PM

wench Definition
wench (wenc̸h)

noun

a girl or young woman: now a derogatory or jocular term
Archaic
a country girl
a female servant
a sexually loose and immoral woman


Posted by: | Nov 9, 2008 3:09:04 PM

What's your point moron? I am none of the above. Can't even use your name when attack someone. Coward.

Posted by: Jwench | Nov 9, 2008 3:21:05 PM

You responding to every one's non pro Obama opinion here tends to favor the servant definition. At least we see the Obama brownshirts are still active on the payroll.

Posted by: | Nov 9, 2008 3:26:42 PM

jwentch,

Perhaps the anonymous poster was making a reference to the less than stellar respect Obama has shown toward women. Maybe he was pointing out how an Obama supporter also chose a name that demeans women. Only my take, please feel free to ignore in all self righteous haste.

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:26:42 PM

More jobs? Road work? What are you taliking about? Obama never mentioned work. He old said he was going to give away money by taking it from other and giving us some cash. Wait a minute here...


IF any of you dolts would have bothered to read or listen to what he said, he said no such thing. That is what the Republican smear machine wants you to believe. I looked at Fox and some other Republican sites before the election and most of what they had posted was snippets and not the full quotes.

IF you are that stupid then I can see why you voted for the same old crappola the GOP fed you. Here's a concept try and read up on both candidates, from unbiased websites and news channels, then make your decision.

We did not need 4 more years of the same crap that didn't work the last 8.

Posted by: Jwench | Nov 9, 2008 3:28:44 PM

McCain would have dealt with this mess by being a Mavericky Maverick, doggone it! He'd take the 6 oil lobbyists that made up his economic advisory team and boy, he'd get so mavericky, it'd make your head spin!

And, gee, maybe the stock market plunged the week after the election because all the numbers that week, including the highest unemployment rate in years came out and consumer confidence hit the floor.

Posted by: Fessup | Nov 9, 2008 3:29:29 PM

Anonymous, you are an thought provoking instigator... I LIKE that.

2012 slogan: "brown shirts" for Obama

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:29:52 PM

The interstate highway system is 50 years-old. The nation's infrastructure is crumbling. Put people to work in essential work to literally rebuild America and its vital transportation grid. It's a win-win situation which will pay for itself many times over! You can feel that intelligence, competence and respect for the common good is back in vogue. Hallelujah!

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Nov 9, 2008 3:30:52 PM

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:26:42 PM

Whatever. Two instances in the primaries where he was a little sexist with Hillary. Yes I was a big Hillary supporter, btw.

Other than that show me where he specifically said anything against women in the general election.


McCain is the one that disrepects women. Calling his wife the c word?

Posted by: Jwench | Nov 9, 2008 3:33:01 PM

McCain would have dealt with this mess by being a Mavericky Maverick, doggone it! He'd take the 6 oil lobbyists that made up his economic advisory team and boy, he'd get so mavericky, it'd make your head spin!

And, gee, maybe the stock market plunged the week after the election because all the numbers that week, including the highest unemployment rate in years came out and consumer confidence hit the floor.

Posted by: Fessup | Nov 9, 2008 3:29:29 PM

I keep trying to tell these naysayers that but, you might as well talk to the wall. OF course that is all the Democrats fault, right?

Posted by: Jwench | Nov 9, 2008 3:35:38 PM

jwentch, Do you get paid by the Obama campaign? I don't care one way or the other but I would like to know who I am debating with.

It seemed odd during the campaign that a concerted effort was made on behalf of Obama to dominate the blogs associated with MSM stories. Surprising, but I guess he had enough cash after going back on his promise to take public financing.

Posted by: Curt | Nov 9, 2008 3:37:47 PM

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