The Spending Spree Continues

Illustrating his discomfort with the legislation, President Obama today signed the $410 billion omnibus-appropriations bill in private. The signing ends the difficult legislative battle over the massive spending bill which Obama contends was actually left over from the Bush Presidency.

Fox News Reports:

Taxpayers for Common Sense estimated the package contained 8,570 disclosed earmarks worth $7.7 billion.

"I am signing an imperfect omnibus bill because it's necessary for the ongoing functions of government," Obama said, adding that he would use it as a "departure point" for enacting new reforms.

He did not respond to a question asking why was not signing the spending bill in public.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who opposed the earmarks in the bill, criticized his former election opponent Wednesday for not pledging to "use his veto pen" to stop pork-barrel projects.

"The president's rhetoric is impressive, but his statement affirms we will continue to do business as usual in Washington regarding earmarks in appropriations legislation," he said in a written statement. "This is an opportunity missed."

Here is a clip of Press Secretary Robert Gibbs trying to explain the lack of a public signing: