White House to make push on economic plan
From Dana Bash
CNN Washington Bureau
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White House spokesman Ari Fleischer
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| BUSH ECONOMIC PLAN |
• Cost: $674 billion over 10 years
• Eliminates tax on stock dividends
• Tax breaks for businesses, individuals
• Increases child tax credit
• Extends unemployment benefits
• Decreases so-called marriage penalty tax
• Increases federal funds for needy states
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SPECIAL REPORT
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House is sending leading members of the president's economic team across the country over the next two weeks to try to gain attention for and sell the $674 billion plan he says would jump-start the stalled economy.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters 15 to 20 Cabinet and sub-Cabinet-level aides will be "fanning out across the country to more than 20 cities to talk about the economic package and growth package."
The package, opposed by most Democrats, has met with a lukewarm response from some Republicans on Capitol Hill, particularly moderates who question the size of the package at a time of record deficits.
Critics also have raised questions about whether the bulk of the plan, an elimination of taxes on dividends, will stimulate the economy.
But Fleischer denied the White House is having problems selling the plan on Capitol Hill, only noting that "it remains a close Congress, and it's important to always, at all times, work with members of Congress."
At a time when the president has made clear war could be around the corner, he and his aides are trying to keep the focus on the economy, an issue that historically has driven American's decisions at the polls.
Fleischer made a point to announce the effort to push Bush's economic plan will be carried out in tandem with the president's diplomatic efforts on Iraq.
"The president will also hold two events to promote his economic plan next week, focused on helping small investors, as well as small businesses," Fleischer said.
