Stimulus Chatter Still Short on Details

The Bush administration threw its support behind an economic-stimulus package to help consumers and businesses cope with the slowing economy, though its ultimate success will hinge on its size and structure.

Democrats had been pushing for a second such plan to pump funds into the real economy, though a $61 billion economic aid plan was blocked by Senate Republicans last month, and President Bush had already threatened a veto.

The tone changed markedly on Monday, as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told the House budget committee that a stimulus package would be "appropriate" to deal with the headwinds facing consumers and businesses. While he refused to offer advice on the dollar amount, Bernanke said the package should be "significant." ...