Has stimulus become a dirty word at the White House?
If it walks like a stimulus and quacks like a stimulus, is it a stimulus?
That’s the question being thrown at White House spokesman Robert Gibbs this week. And he has so far refused to bite.
In yesterday’s White House media briefing, “stimulus” came up five times, but never once uttered by Gibbs.
His responses were “recovery plan” and “safety-net policies.”
On Monday, a reporter asked about programs included in the first economic stimulus package that may be considered for extension such as homebuyer tax credit and jobless benefits.
“Why is that not a stealth second stimulus?” a reporter asked. 
“I appreciate the connotation,” Gibbs replied.
What would Gibbs call such extensions then?
“Extensions,” he replied.
OK then…
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Photo Credit: Reuters/Jim Young (Gibbs at media briefing in September), Reuters/Sebastien Pirlet (duck walks on ice in Antwerp)


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Love the way politicians think everyone is so dense. In this case, since the stimulus was a horrible waste of money -which will burden the country for decades-can not blame the WH crowd for trying to “duck” the word. But come on, how stupid do they think we are? This failure will not disappear with a change of language.
I’m getting dizzy from all the spinning!
Gibbs is fooling himself. Does he really think people are that STUPID?
Gibbs knows he’s lost credibility with the people, not to mention Obama he might as well hide.
We all know the Stimulus failed, call it anything you want!
As I recall, the stimulus was passed by the prior administration, not this one (though most of the congresscritters remain the same). This admin. just got stuck with the outcome. Can’t blame them for not wanting to repeat a mistake.
Biden obviously thinks the American people are stupid,his remarks praising the Stimulus and stating that it,s success is better than he could have ever imagined.Perhaps because he is in charge of it, do you think there could be a slight bias?If it has worked it must be only in the DC area,here in Califoria it is turning into a waste land.
Re: Posting by Liz
Do you really think you know what you are talking about? The stimulus was rushed through Congress and signed by obama. Get informed dork.
Honestly, the populace is getting dumber and lazier with every passing day.