It’s not the broad ideas that create trouble; it’s the specifics. That’s the lesson surrounding reactions to President Obama’s stimulus plan thus far.

Already, the president has seen some problems on Capitol Hill as Republicans flex their muscles, labeling parts of the stimulus plan as pork. And in Patchwork Nation’s 11 communities, we are hearing some skepticism on a variety of fronts.

Some of our communities that lean left are worried that Mr. Obama’s priorities are wrong. Some of our more conservative communities smell socialism. And many see wasteful spending.

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