From the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union — Originally published Tuesday, Feb. 10

There comes a point in negotiations where someone finally says, “This is about as far as I can go.” It’s a message President Obama needs to start sending to Republicans who are determined to have things their way, even after the American people clearly told them in November that they want to try something else for a change.

Republicans in Congress appear determined to force into the proposed $827 billion stimulus package as many tried-and-failed tax cut solutions as possible. They seek to cut back spending on the very kinds of programs that would get people working again. And, undoubtedly, they hope to regain political ground they lost last year, and over the last eight years, by doing all they can to hamper a popular president on his first major initiative.

… This stimulus needs to be done right, most of all because the nation’s economic future depends on it. But it is also important that the President and Democrats in Congress recognize that if it succeeds, everyone will look to claim credit, but if it fails, they will own the blame.