Obama to Have Meeting With House and Senate GOP Leaders

KENNETH R. BAZINET reports in the New York Daily News that: "Barack Obama will meet face-to-face Monday for the first time as President-elect with his prime GOP foils, as battle lines form over his economic stimulus package. Obama is set to powwow at the U.S. Capitol with GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell, House Republican boss John Boehner" To date, Republicans have failed to completely get behind the Obama stimulus plan. "Boehner said yesterday he was "concerned" over the price tag of the emerging proposal. And he warned Democrats against hastily ramming a measure through Congress. "Let's be clear: It is essential that this legislation be debated in a fair, open and honest way," Boehner insisted. "This is the taxpayers' money, and they deserve to know their hard-earned tax dollars aren't being wasted," he added." The Republicans clearly hope to slow down and possibly cripple the Democrats intended stimulus package. On the other hand, Democrats have hopes to have the stimulus bill ready for Obama's signature on January 20th. One of the factors that will contribute to GOP cooperation will be determined in a few days when the RNC elects a chairman and issues marching orders to the Congressional Republicans.