WASHINGTON — President Obama abruptly changed tactics Wednesday in his bid to revive the economy, setting aside his bipartisan stance and pointedly blaming Republicans for demanding what he cast as discredited "piecemeal measures."
Obama's comments were a marked departure from the conciliatory tone he has maintained as he courted Republican votes for his stimulus package through compromise. Against the wishes of his own party, Obama crafted a plan that relied heavily on tax cuts rooted in Republican economic doctrine.
But in an unusual opinion piece in today's Washington Post, and in remarks he made at two White House appearances, the president seemed to acknowledge that his approach wasn't working.
The shift in message comes amid signs of trouble for Obama's $800-billion-plus stimulus bill. Not a single Republican voted for the measure last week in the House, and even some moderate Democrats in the Senate have expressed discomfort over the escalating cost.
Moderates from both parties have complained about spending projects, such as smoking-cessation programs, that don't seem geared to giving the economy a jolt.
While signing a children's health insurance bill in the East Room of the White House, Obama referred to the results of the November election. It was a reminder to Republicans -- and perhaps even some wayward Democrats -- that Obama won solidly and still enjoys a high approval rating.
"Now, let me say this," Obama said. "In the past few days, I've heard criticisms of this plan that frankly echo the very same failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis in the first place -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems, that we can address this enormous crisis with half steps and piecemeal measures and tinkering around the edges, that we can ignore fundamental challenges, like the high cost of healthcare, and still expect our economy and our country to thrive.
"I reject these theories," he continued. "And, by the way, so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change."
Obama also sought to sway public opinion in his favor through his newspaper column, reiterating many of the same points.
"In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems," Obama wrote.
