US President George W. Bush supports calls for an economic stimulus package and will discuss recent worrisome data with leading lawmakers on Thursday, the White House said. "The president does believe that over the short term, to deal with the softening of the economy, that some boost is necessary," spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters.
Fratto declined to say what such a package should contain or when Bush - who gives his annual agenda-shaping State of the Union speech on January 28 - would unveil any details. "When there is a product to talk about then maybe we'll talk about what the impact might or might not be but we're not there yet," Fratto said, as Bush geared up for talks with the US Congress which his Democratic critics control.
The president, joined by US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, was to host a conference call with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner, an Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell were also to take part in the discussion, which Fratto portrayed as Bush seeking ideas from lawmakers. "The phone call is to discuss the economic landscape," he said. The president wants to have this opportunity to talk to the leaders, get their views, consult with them on what might be necessary to deal with this soft patch in the economy."