Dependably Supports Obama Spending Proposals Despite Claiming Concern “About The Level Of Spending That President Obama Has Proposed”

As Democrat U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) prepares to hold a press conference at 1:30PM today with Obama Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to tout President Obama’s latest spending proposal, a $50 billion “infrastructure” stimulus, West Virginians are reminded that – despite claiming he’s concerned “about the level of spending that President Obama has proposed” – Manchin is three-for-three in voting for Obama’s “stimulus” spending proposals.

As Manchin and his friends in the Obama Administration once again tout taxpayer-funded “shovel-ready” “infrastructure” projects, the Washington Post reports today that federal watchdog Gregory H. Freidman – who first raised concerns over the ongoing Solyndra scandal – is “critical of the administration for touting the existence of ‘shovel ready’ projects [in the original $825 billion ‘stimulus’] that needed federal funding in order to be quickly completed.” 

In several of his investigations, Friedman has noted that the political push to quickly create jobs and spur economic development didn’t match up with economic realities on the ground… From the start, administration critics were skeptical that enough such projects existed to spur the economy. And Friedman agrees. “In reality, few actual ‘shovel ready’ projects existed,” he said. Instead, projects benefiting from Energy Department money “required extensive advance planning, organizational enhancements, and additional staffing and training” that delayed the quick distribution of stimulus dollars. 

“Once again, Joe Manchin is saying one thing in West Virginia but doing the opposite in Washington, putting his friend President Obama’s liberal spending agenda ahead of the best interests of West Virginia taxpayers,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond.  “Despite claiming he’s concerned about Obama’s spending, Manchin is actually three-for-three in support of Obama’s new ‘stimulus’ spending proposals, and that tells folks in West Virginia all they need to know about who Manchin is looking out for in Washington.” 

Background Information:

MANCHIN WORDS:

‘Serious Questions About The Level Of Spending That President Obama Has Proposed’ 

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): “I have serious questions about the level of spending that President Obama has proposed, as well as the actual effectiveness some of these policies will have when it comes to creating jobs…” (“Manchin’s Strategy For Surviving 2012 In A Red State: Bash President Obama,” The Hill, 9/14/11)

MANCHIN ACTIONS:

Support President Obama’s Stimulus Proposal 3 Times In A Row

Sen. Manchin ‘To Sponsor New Legislation’ That ‘Resembles The Infrastructure Spending’ In Obama’s Stimulus Bill:

• “Manchin is joining several other Senate Democrats to sponsor new legislation after one piece of President Barack Obama’s $447 billion American Jobs Act failed the Senate Oct. 20.” (WOWK-TV, 10/24/11)

• “The bill resembles the infrastructure spending President Barack Obama proposed in his ill-fated jobs bill, which has stalled in Congress. The president’s $447 billion plan also included $50 billion for highways, transit, rail and aviation projects.” (“Manchin Jobs Bill Touts Infrastructure Spending,” Charleston Daily Mail [WV], 10/25/11)

Sen. Manchin Votes YEA On Motion To Proceed To Teacher and First Responders Spending As A Part Of Obama’s Stimulus Bill: (S. 1723, Roll Call Vote #177, Cloture Motion Rejected 50-50: R 0-46; D-49-2; I 1-1, 10/20/11)

Sen. Manchin Votes YEA On Motion To Proceed To Obama’s Stimulus Bill: (S.1660, Roll Call Vote # 160, Cloture Motion Rejected 50-49: R 0-46; D 48-3; I 2-0, 10/11/11)