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Bi-partisan hopes fail first test Bi-partisan hopes fail first test
(about 4 hours later)
By Jonathan Beale BBC News, WashingtonBy Jonathan Beale BBC News, Washington
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiled when she declared that the massive $819bn economic stimulus package had been approved by the House of Representatives.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiled when she declared that the massive $819bn economic stimulus package had been approved by the House of Representatives.
Nancy Pelosi's smiles weren't shared by RepublicansDemocrats cheered.Nancy Pelosi's smiles weren't shared by RepublicansDemocrats cheered.
But Republicans remained silent - not one had voted in favour of the bill.But Republicans remained silent - not one had voted in favour of the bill.
You can only wonder what was the reaction in the White House.You can only wonder what was the reaction in the White House.
Perhaps there was relief that a new president had overcome his first major hurdle in Congress, but surely also frustration that Barack Obama's charm offensive had counted for little.Perhaps there was relief that a new president had overcome his first major hurdle in Congress, but surely also frustration that Barack Obama's charm offensive had counted for little.
His efforts to win round Republicans in a series of conciliatory face-to-face meetings had ultimately proved futile.His efforts to win round Republicans in a series of conciliatory face-to-face meetings had ultimately proved futile.
His hopes and claims of an end to bitter bipartisan division - a new political spring - has been hit by the cold, harsh realities of business as usual on Capitol Hill.His hopes and claims of an end to bitter bipartisan division - a new political spring - has been hit by the cold, harsh realities of business as usual on Capitol Hill.
Once bitten, twice shyOnce bitten, twice shy
Asking Americans to stump up another $800bn, on top of the $700bn already requested by President Bush, was always going to be a hard sell.Asking Americans to stump up another $800bn, on top of the $700bn already requested by President Bush, was always going to be a hard sell.
The president had gone to talk directly to House RepublicansThis was particularly the case for Republicans who feel like they are selling their soul and ditching their principles by allowing the state to rescue the world's most powerful free market economy.The president had gone to talk directly to House RepublicansThis was particularly the case for Republicans who feel like they are selling their soul and ditching their principles by allowing the state to rescue the world's most powerful free market economy.
It wasn't just the astronomic price tag. It was the bill's focus on government intervention.It wasn't just the astronomic price tag. It was the bill's focus on government intervention.
Many Republicans still feel a sense of shame in backing the earlier bailout for the banks. Now it's a case of once bitten, twice shy.Many Republicans still feel a sense of shame in backing the earlier bailout for the banks. Now it's a case of once bitten, twice shy.
Barack Obama had worked hard, even before he entered the White House, to try to overcome their obvious concerns.Barack Obama had worked hard, even before he entered the White House, to try to overcome their obvious concerns.
He hoped Republicans' natural scepticism could be erased by the promise of tax cuts: $275bn will go towards easing the tax burden on low and middle income earners.He hoped Republicans' natural scepticism could be erased by the promise of tax cuts: $275bn will go towards easing the tax burden on low and middle income earners.
But there is still the $40bn to be spent on improving America's crumbling infrastructure, the $41bn for education, tens of billions more for health care and energy efficiency.But there is still the $40bn to be spent on improving America's crumbling infrastructure, the $41bn for education, tens of billions more for health care and energy efficiency.
More eyebrows were raised with the inclusion of $300m to combat sexually transmitted diseases and $50m for the arts.More eyebrows were raised with the inclusion of $300m to combat sexually transmitted diseases and $50m for the arts.
Democrats had the sense to drop requests to spend millions on tarting up Washington's Mall.Democrats had the sense to drop requests to spend millions on tarting up Washington's Mall.
Still listeningStill listening
But Republicans still balked with dismissive words like "welfare state" and " government waste".But Republicans still balked with dismissive words like "welfare state" and " government waste".
And it is not just a matter of ideology, or party petulance.And it is not just a matter of ideology, or party petulance.
Many still wonder whether the stimulus will actually work. Why get their hands dirty, when they won't even get any of the credit if the grand plan does succeed in creating 3m plus jobs?Many still wonder whether the stimulus will actually work. Why get their hands dirty, when they won't even get any of the credit if the grand plan does succeed in creating 3m plus jobs?
It's still a huge gamble.It's still a huge gamble.
What we can't do is to drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way Barack Obama In one sense it doesn't matter that the Republicans unanimously rejected the bill - Barack Obama is still on course to get the backing of the Senate.What we can't do is to drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way Barack Obama In one sense it doesn't matter that the Republicans unanimously rejected the bill - Barack Obama is still on course to get the backing of the Senate.
But by opposing the bill the Republicans are making clear to the country that this is not their plan. It is owned by the Democrats and the president alone.But by opposing the bill the Republicans are making clear to the country that this is not their plan. It is owned by the Democrats and the president alone.
Barack Obama has not given up on his hopes of ending the "bitter bi-partisanship" of the Bush era.Barack Obama has not given up on his hopes of ending the "bitter bi-partisanship" of the Bush era.
He is still promising more transparency than ever before with "every American able to go to the website recovery.gov to see how and where the money is being spent".He is still promising more transparency than ever before with "every American able to go to the website recovery.gov to see how and where the money is being spent".
Despite the Republican opposition he thanked the House, reiterated the importance of passing the bill and promised to continue listening.Despite the Republican opposition he thanked the House, reiterated the importance of passing the bill and promised to continue listening.
"What we can't do" he said "is to drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way.""What we can't do" he said "is to drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way."
But after tonight his promises of a new political era, a spirit of "we're all in this together", may sound a little hollow.But after tonight his promises of a new political era, a spirit of "we're all in this together", may sound a little hollow.