An analysis of money doled out through Barack Obama’s failed stimulus program shows that counties where Obama beat John McCain in last year’s election have received twice as much money per capita compared to counties where McCain beat Obama.
The reports show the 872 counties that supported Obama received about $69 per person, on average. The 2,234 that supported McCain received about $34.
Using an argument that in no way resembles logic, however, USA Today is quick to point out that there’s absolutely no way this could be political.
The imbalance is so pronounced — and the aid so far from complete — that it would be almost inconceivable for it to be the result of political tinkering, says Adam Hughes, the director of federal fiscal policy for the non-profit OMB Watch.
Yes, there’s no way it could possibly be political when it appears so political. Like the firing of Gerald Walpin for alleging the corruption of an Obama crony. Or funneling money to ACORN. It’s “almost inconceivable.” Except it isn’t. It’s the Chicago way.
Maybe Hughes is right, though. It could be that people in blue counties have also voted Democrats into control in other areas of government, and are therefore in much worse shape than self-sufficient well-run areas with Republicans are in charge.
The disparity isn’t just seen at the local level, though.
Including the larger chunk of money given to state governments, the aid favors states that voted for Obama, which have received about 20% more per person.
[...]
Jake Wiens, an investigator with the non-profit Project on Government Oversight, says it’s too soon to draw meaningful conclusions about whether the type of aid in the stimulus favors Obama’s constituents.
But, he says, “it will be important to pay close attention as the data come in to ensure that political favoritism plays no role.”
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