Congress vs. Obama

Is President Obama losing control of Congress? Tough economic times and an anti-incumbent tide are pushing lawmakers towards a more antagonistic relationship with the White House as they look to find extra help for their constituents and to find villains to blame for the country's problems. The Washington Post cites several recent episodes from both Democrats and Republicans as evidence, including one this week in which the Congressional Black Caucus delayed a committee vote on key financial regulations in order to protest a lack of resources for African-American communities hit by the recession. The committee chairman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), told his colleagues the CBC was "frustrated by the response to the economic situation by the administration." The same week, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner faced calls for his resignation at a hearing from Republican lawmakers and tough criticism from their Democratic counterparts as well over his handling of the economy.