Research Briefing

VIDEO RESEARCH BRIEFING:

THEY MESSED WITH JOE, PART SEVEN

A Week Long Stimulus Anniversary Retrospective

OBAMA PLEDGED 

FEBRUARY 24, 2009: Obama Pledged That Joe Biden Would Lead “Unprecedented Oversight Effort” For $862 Billion Stimulus, “Because Nobody Messes With Joe.” “Here in Washington, we’ve all seen how quickly good intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending.  And with a plan of this scale comes enormous responsibility to get it right. That is why I have asked Vice President Biden to lead a tough, unprecedented oversight effort – because nobody messes with Joe.” (President Barack Obama, Address To Joint Session Of Congress, Washington, DC, 2/24/09)

OBAMA DELIVERED:

Stimulus Funds Went To Napa Valley Wine Train And Missouri Martini Bar

ABC News Highlights Stimulus Funds Being Used For Napa Valley Wine Train.  Jonathan Karl: “The Napa Valley wine train, to tourists a great way to see America’s most celebrated wine region, to others exhibit A  in what’ s wrong with the stimulus.” Sen. Tom Coburn: “What that is, is a situation where you see the wealthy or well connected get taken care of and the community suffers.” Jonathan Karl: “He’s talking about the Napa Valley wine train relocation project, 54 million stimulus dollars to build a new rail bridge, elevate and relocate 3,300 ft of tracks and put flood walls around the train’s main station.” (ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” 2/2/10)

CBS Reports On Stimulus Funds Being Used For Martini Bar. Sheryl Atkinson: “You probably wouldn’t guess that a martini bar and a Brazilian steakhouse would be on tap for stimulus funds, but in St. Joseph, Missouri, two privately owned facilities are getting 100,000 of your tax dollars.” (CBS’s “CBS Evening News,” 12/9/09)

OBAMA DENIES 

Now Obama Claims That We “Have Not Seen Scandal Break Out” On Stimulus With Biden Leading Oversight Effort. “[L]et me just say, by the way, give a compliment to Vice President Biden. He and his team have overseen the Recovery Act. You have not seen scandal break out on a huge endeavor.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Town Hall Meeting, Tampa, FL, 1/28/10)