James Pethokoukis

A NY Times story by my pal John Harwood hints at a second stimulus package may be brewing:

Publicly, White House aides and Congressional leaders have responded with incessant attempts to highlight benefits from the $787 billion economic stimulus package they enacted earlier this year. Privately, Mr. Obama’s economic advisers are sifting options for a new package of tax cuts and other job creation measures to be unveiled in next year’s State of the Union address — or earlier if pressure for action becomes irresistible.

Me:  They certainly won’t call it “stimulus,” which is a toxic word these days. I could see more aid to state and local governments, an expanded housing credit, expanded unemployment benefits. They could surprise with a payroll tax cut. But any pricey packages could be met by a negative bond market reaction. They would really, really like to avoid doing this.