McCain rallies supporters to oppose Obama spending

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Sen. John McCain on Tuesday went head-to-head with President Obama by mobilizing his network of campaign supporters against the president's economic recovery package, saying Republicans have not been given enough input.

While praising President Obama for his outreach, Mr. McCain said Democrats are "trying to jam" their bill through after having loaded it up with wasteful spending and without listening to Republicans.

Mr. McCain's opposition e-mail asks people to sign a petition opposing the Senate stimulus bill. It comes a day after Mr. Obama mobilized his own campaign supporters with an e-mail in support of the bill, calling on them to attend house parties this weekend to show their support.

"I cannot and do not support the package on the table from the Democrats and the Obama Administration. Our country does not need just another spending bill, particularly not one that will load future generations with the burden of massive debt," Mr. McCain said.

His strenuous opposition is a blow to Mr. Obama, who in the days before his inauguration met with Mr. McCain and even feted him at a pre-inauguration dinner praising the virtues of bipartisanship.

Mr. McCain signed the e-mail as chairman of his political action committee, Country First PAC.