All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

Looking to strike fear and compliance in the hearts of local officials, Vice President Joe Biden warns that if they use money from the economic stimulus fund to build what he regards as the wrong kind of projects, “I’ll show up in your city and say this was a stupid idea.”

“No swimming pools!” he implored. “No tennis courts!” he begged. “No golf courses!” he pleaded. “No Frisbee parks!” he exhorted.

“This can’t be government as usual,” he told an assemblage of local officials invited to the White House from around the country.

Even if they can promise him that building their projects will create jobs and generate revenue, Biden wants none of it.

“The answer is no, no, no!” He said “it’s got to pass the smell test.”

He urged the officials to think about how their constituents would react if the projects they launched were plastered on the front page of their biggest local newspaper.

“If it doesn’t automatically make sense, don’t do it!”

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What is it with this administration’s top officials that they have so much trouble taking an oath of office?

We heard another fumble again this morning at the ceremonial swearing-in for Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath – reading it from a card. Solis repeated line after line until Biden said: “...of the office upon which I’m about to enter.”

Solis, obviously nervous, said “...upon which the office I’m about to enter.”

Close – but no cigar.

Today’s swearing-in was for show only. She was sworn-in for real the day of her Senate confirmation February 24th.

In her remarks, Solis served notice that she aims to be protector-in-chief of the nation’s workers.

“To those who have for too long abused workers, put them in harms way, denied them fair pay – let me be clear: there is a new sheriff in town.”

Her audience of department employees responded with a standing ovation.

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A week after telling the nation that "nobody messes with Joe," President Obama bestowed yet another title on Vice President Biden to describe his role as a zealous overseer of the $787-billion economic stimulus plan.

"To you - he’s Mr. Vice President, but around the White House we call him ‘the Sheriff’- because if you’re misusing taxpayer money, you’ll have to answer to him.”

Addressing employees at the Department of Transportation with Biden at his side, President Obama went on to say he wants all of us to be part of Biden’s posse.

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