Are earmarks part of the grand bargain on economic stimulous?

Washington Examiner Editorial:

Public anger over earmarks cost Republicans their majority in Congress in 2006, but Democrats have proven themselves equally incapable of getting rid of outrages like the Bridge to Nowhere. More than 11,700 earmarks, totaling $16.9 billion, are attached to 2008 spending bills. It’s now up to President Bush to make good on his promise to “end this practice” once and for all.

Conservatives and good-government groups have been urging Bush since before Christmas to issue an executive order directing federal agencies to ignore earmarks contained in committee reports that are not attached to legislation voted into law. Bush has previously picked fights with Congress on executive privilege issues. Yet he seems uncharacteristically reluctant to do so now, despite being on legal grounds declared solid by none other than the Congressional Research Service and the U.S. Supreme Court.

So what is Bush waiting for?

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But Bush hesitates to exercise his authority. Surely he doesn’t fear challenging a Congress that trails him in public approval surveys. House Republican Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has reportedly warned administration officials that meddling with earmarks will anger GOP members who are responsible for 40 percent of those in the 2008 spending bills. But what about angry taxpayers who see their hard-earned tax dollars being shoveled out the back door, and who correctly view earmarks as politically corrupting payoffs?

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I don't think it is a coincidence that Democrats are being as cooperative as they are on a bipartisan stimulus package to help improve the economy. They have not been this eager to cooperate with the White House on anything since Bush took office seven years ago. There is probably some belief that the earmarks are a silent partner in this agreement. There is also the fact that many Republicans are as bad, if not worse than Democrats on the earmark issue. With the economy going into a slowdown earmarks are likely to be a fight for another day. Perhaps that day will come in the November election. McCain is already making it an issue, and I suspect that whoever is the nominee will do so.