McClatchy, probably the only remaining decent news service, has an interesting article pointing out GOP congress-critters who are taking credit for parts of Obama’s economic stimulus bill, even though they voted against the bill itself! Not only that, but they are boasting about changes they pushed into the bill, while simultaneously complaining about the lack of bipartisanship.
For example, Don Young (R-Alaska) recently said that he would have included earmarks in the bill if it had been permitted, and then turned around and blasted the bill, saying “This bill was not a stimulus bill. It was a vehicle for pet projects, and that’s wrong.” Young even bragged that he “won a victory for Alaska Native contracting program and other Alaska small business owners.” It is amazing hypocrisy when you complain about all the pet projects in a bill while at the same time bragging about the pet projects that you put into a bill.
And John Mica (R-Florida) issued a press release gushing about the inclusion of high-speed rail projects in the bill: “I applaud President Obama’s recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America’s future.” When asked why Mica failed to mention his vote against the bill in his press release, a GOP committee spokesman said “It’s not really secret. I guess it just wasn’t the focus.”
