Utah GOP delegation worries Obama's plans are flawed

The Republicans in Utah's congressional delegation say President Barack Obama's vision on how to rebuild America's economy may sound lofty and inspiring, but they worry that unspoken details may not grow the economy and instead grow the government and deficits.

But Rep. Jim Matheson, the delegation's lone Democrat, disagrees and says the president's plans as outlined in his first speech to Congress on Tuesday can succeed if everyone works together and if Republicans do not turn into the party of "no."

Matheson said, "I think he (Obama) laid out the issues that need to be addressed to have the economy come back. You've got to deal with the credit crisis in America, you've got to deal with energy, and you've got to deal with health care. … He's on the right track."

He added, "He once again extended the hand of bipartisanship and said we've got to do this together." Matheson said that "obviously that broke down on the stimulus package" but said leaders of both parties worked together at a fiscal responsibility summit this week and hopes they will work together in the future. "I think the president in his leadership role needs to continue to push for that."

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who shook hands with Obama at the speech and even had the president sign his program, said, "I want nothing but the best for our nation and our president to be successful, but — and it's a big but — I don't buy everything he says. When he says he doesn't want big government, we don't seem to be moving in that trajectory. When he says he doesn't want a big deficit, we're doing quite the opposite."

He said the president is also murky about where he will make cuts and sacrifices — and wonders if he will work with Republicans on that as pledged. "I have no doubt about our ability to work together. But thus far the process has not allowed it."

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, also said he liked Obama's general goals, "but he spoke in broad strokes. The question is if people like (House speaker) Nancy Pelosi can design legislation to implement what he says in a way that will be positive. The details were not there, so that's still the predominant question. Based on the stimulus bill, that's in doubt."

Bishop added that Obama is "the kind of kid I liked to have on my debate team when I was a teacher" with his skillful rhetoric. But he said, "I wish I had taught him history. I think he's a little fuzzy on that."