Obama Team Encouraged Defiance of Pelosi on Bailout

There is word of some evidence of the growing tension between Pelosi and Obama. Reportedly, Obama staff were encouraging Blue Dog Democrats to defy Pelosi regarding the bailout. It looks like Obama really wants a bipartisan bill that will get Republican votes. I can not tell you what his reasoning is (political cover, real desire for post partition politics...), but it does seem that is what he wants at least for now. The problem he has is that although this bill has Pelosi's fingerprints all over it, it has and "Made by Obama" sticker on top. In essence, Obama's bill has been hijacked by those of his own party. Looks like he is trying to fight back behind the scenes. That or this is all some sort of political theater. You can try to figure out which it is.


http://www.politico.com
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0209/Cooper_Obama_staff_encouraged_defiance_of_Pelosi.html

"Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) -- one of the lead Blue Dogs -- made a startling admission to lefty Liberadio on Sunday, suggesting the White House quietly encouraged him to buck House leadership on the stimulus.

Cooper was one of 11 Dems to vote no -- joining every GOP House member.

"Well, I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I actually got some quiet encouragement from the Obama folks for what I’m doing," said Cooper, one of about 55 House Democrats to sign a letter criticizing Speaker Nancy Pelosi for suspending normal debate and committee rules on the $819 billion package.

"


Update:
Audio added.

Video embedded below. (From http://hotair.com/archives/2009/02/04/has-obama-gone-to-war-with-nancy-pelosi)