Update: 'Is White House Really Backing Away From Push For full Jobs Bill?' - WaPo

[WillyT]

Is White House really backing away from push for full jobs bill?
By Greg Sargent - WaPo
Posted at 02:21 PM ET, 09/13/2011

<snip>

It’s being widely reported that White House economic adviser Gene Sperling contradicted Obama’s jobs message today when he told reporters that Obama would sign into law any portions of the American Jobs Act that House Republicans pass.

Sperling’s assertions do suggest that the White House doesn’t have its messaging ducks in a row, and will give opponents ammo to argue that the White House has flip-flopped on its vow to push for the full American Jobs Act. But I’m not sure they have all that much substantive significance.

<And...>

Folks are arguing that this contradicts David Axelrod’s vow earlier today that Obama and his team do not see the jobs bill as an “a la carte menu.” I think this was an unfortunate quote from Sperling — rather than speculating on what Obama might do if House GOPers pass parts of the bill, he could have refused to speculate and reiterated nothing more than the White House’s desire to see the full bill passed. There’s no need to muddy the message about what you’re willing to accept.

<And...>

UPDATE: In fairness to Sperling, it’s not his fault that what he said today seemed to jar with Axelrod's quotes from this morning. Sperling was echoing what the President himself said yesterday about signing parts of the bill if the House GOP passes them, a message that was also voiced by White House press secretary Jay Carney today.

<snip>

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/is-white-house-really-backing-away-from-push-for-full-jobs-bill/2011/03/03/gIQAd72yPK_blog.html

:shrug:

[Hydra]

1. Oh, don't worry

They'll get all of the Republican priorities through and let the rest die.

After all, "we don't have the votes."

[Cool Logic]

2. I do not understand why there is a question--Obama will take whatever he can get...

But like Mick Jagger said: "You can't always get what you want."

[demwing]

3. Well...if past performance is a clue,

Obama will take whatever the Republicans TELL him he can get

[Bluebear]

5. And Democrats can't get anything they want.

[newblewtoo]

4. I voted for Obama

And ended up with Rusty Warren, "Roll me over, lay me down and do it again". I was hoping more for "I won't back down."

This is getting depressing.

[Bluebear]

6. Rest assured those new trade agreements will pass