I can write the story two different ways about how Republicans in the House all voted against President Obama's over $800 billion economic stimulus bill. 

On one hand, they are principled warriors in the fight against big government and those pesky Democrats.  They are standing for what they believe in.

On the other, they are a bunch of political hacks who keep trying to forget that they just got skunked at the ballot box in November and are now trying to thwart a popular President.

I will be interested to see whether either narrative takes hold in coming weeks.

Yes, and I'm sure the ole news media will probably do its best to undermine the Democrats. 

Wait?  You didn't hear?  You didn't get the latest report about the bias on the major cable news networks?

"In a new analysis, ThinkProgress has found that the five cable news networks -- CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business and CNBC -- have hosted more Republican lawmakers to discuss the plan than Democrats by a 2 to 1 ratio this week," said the note that will certainly cause some of you to spit your bit.

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog entry.

In a sense, how the GOP actions on the stimulus bill are perceived is a big deal, because it can affect how they are able to gain (or not gain) political traction in coming months.

One new poll out on Wednesday had Democrats in Congress getting approval ratings in the 40s, as compared to the 20s for the GOP.

One would have to think part of that disparity is due to President Obama's popularity, which is obviously something the Republicans have to watch.

Sometimes, you can be the party of "no" and benefit in the polls.

But right now, the Democrats and Barack Obama are the popular ones. 

Which makes the GOP decision on how to proceed on the stimulus bill all the more interesting.