12 February 2009

Capito Pressed over Stimulus

The Hill says U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, has been hit up by Obama Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a former congressman "leaning on his ex-colleagues to back the president’s stimulus package."

Capito is among 11 Republican representatives that LaHood said he's phoned. Capito hasn't made a final decision, the newspaper reported, but "seems to be leaning no. She has scheduled a 'town hall meeting via conference call' with her constituents to hear feedback before deciding."

Yet, The Hill also includes Capito among GOP members "who may vote to back the final stimulus bill." It offers this reasoning:

The bill would bring a fair amount of funds to West Virginia, something that Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) will be touting. A vote against the stimulus could come back to haunt Capito if she runs for the Senate down the road.
The Hill also reports that Capito has again been targeted by radio ads over her "no" vote on the House stimulus bill.

Spots by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Americans United for Change urge support for the compromise measure that emerged Wednesday.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee attacked Capito in ads earlier this month.

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