Here's President-elect Barack Obama, this morning:
We are working currently on our budget plans... starting to consult with members of congress on that... Discussion around entitlements will be a central part of those plans... by Feb [with my 10-page budget preview] we will have some very specific plans to release [on reforming entitlement spending].
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) liked what he heard:
"I have talked with President-elect Obama several times about the severity of our entitlement crisis, and I have urged him to conduct a full audit of his predecessor's books. He understands the tremendous fiscal challenges we face. I appreciate his forthrightness on the subject this morning, and I pledge to work with him and his economic team to get this situation under control."
Convincing these Democrats that he's serious about entitlement reform is one of the ways he can smooth the stimulus package's digestion.
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