Featured Advertisers
Tue, Nov. 24  -   -  Mobile  -  RSS
  

Make a post about this story on FredTalk. Get a printer-friendly version of this page. E-mail this story to a friend.

Vice President Joe Biden (left) gestures as he talks with business owner John Fernandez and Richmond police chief Bryan Norwood during his speech in Richmond.
Steve Helber/ASSOCIATED PRESS

View More Images from this story

Visit the Photo Place

V.P. defends stimulus package

Biden speaks in Richmond


Date published: 7/17/2009

BY CHELYEN DAVIS

RICHMOND

--Vice-President Joe Biden yesterday defended the federal economic stimulus program against critics--including Rep. Eric Cantor of Richmond--saying the stimulus is "absolutely" working.

"The recovery act is making a difference," Biden said. "Yes, we still have a long, long, long way to go. But we are in a very deep hole. But we're moving, we're moving in the right direction. Some of the criticism is justified. We may not have it perfect--I think we got it just right--but what's the alternative being offered here? What would our critics do to all those families facing tough times?"

Biden spoke to an audience of about 150 at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond. The audience was made up of guests invited by the White House and selected students and faculty.

Republicans, especially Cantor, have been critical of the $787 billion federal stimulus program, saying it has failed to create jobs.

"This stimulus bill clearly has not created jobs or fixed our economy," Cantor said in a press conference call before Biden's speech yesterday.

He said the unemployment rate has continued to rise, and that the Obama administration "seems to be concerned about everything but creating jobs."

Biden countered that the stimulus was never intended to reverse the recession or job losses by itself; it was just one part of a strategy to help prevent things from getting far worse.

He said the stimulus money was intended to spur investment and spending, to save jobs, especially those of teachers, police and other government-funded positions, and to help create some additional jobs.

Without it, Biden said, state and local governments would have had to raise taxes or lay off more workers, and those out of work would have had to make do with fewer unemployment and health benefits.

"We're fighting for the life of this economy," Biden said. "We're fighting for the life of people who are struggling. We're fighting to get this back up and running. And the way this has been characterized by many people just gives the wrong picture."

He struck back at Cantor, although not by name, by mentioning people who support a high-speed rail expansion that the recovery act would pay for, while opposing the stimulus program itself.


1  2  Next Page  


Follow us on
twitter
fredericksburg.com Facebook page


Date published: 7/17/2009


Most recent reader comments:

Viewing all 3 comments. (Sorted in reverse order, with most recent post at the top.)

Display comments on this page. | Sort:

PLEASE READ: These reader comments are not moderated. Each user is solely responsible for any message (s)he posts here. The Free Lance-Star does not endorse the views expressed within these comments. All users who post to this Web site must agree to the terms of the FredTalk User Agreement. We rely on our readers to police themselves, and report any content that violates our User Agreement. In accordance with our User Agreement, we reserve the right to remove any post at any time for any reason, and will restrict access of registered users who repeatedly violate our terms. Any reader can report inappropriate content by clicking the "Report this post to admins" link at the bottom of each comment. You need not be registered to report a post.

crooks (posted by BrawnGP09 , July 17, 2009 2:44 pm)   

tarp redirect (posted by Dirtnap300 , July 17, 2009 10:43 am)   
just another example of the true intent of the spendulous. PORK and pet projects and political favors to big supporter/lobbying groups.. sigh.... business as usual in DC

We need specific info on the proposals of this administration (posted by mustang2 , July 17, 2009 8:14 am)   
From Biden's speech in Florida two days ago: “Now, people when I say that look at me and say, ‘What are you talking about, Joe? You’re telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt?’” Biden said. “The answer is yes, that's what I’m telling you.” Guess the FLS doesn't want to criticize this administration. No info all the time in this city while we go to hell in a hand basket.

What do you think?
Enter your FredTalk username and password to post a comment on this story. If you are registered on FredTalk or another part of this site, use that login here. Otherwise, you can just REGISTER here... .

Username: Password:

Post title:


Please keep it brief: (512-character limit)
Please make sure CAPS LOCK is off. Posts in ALL CAPS will be deleted.)


By checking this box, you agree to the terms of the FredTalk User agreement.