I’ve been asking around a bit and everyone I’ve spoken to says that most business groups support the stimulus bill in the House (or even larger) form. That makes sense, because businesses do obviously want to avoid a prolonged recession. I wondered, then, why they’re not pushing Senate Republicans to vote for it. Well, it turns out that they are:

the traditionally Republican-leaning business lobby is beginning to exert itself more as well. In announcing his support Friday night, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) pointedly read from a Chamber of Commerce endorsement. The National Association of Manufacturers has also weighed in, telling Republicans that votes on the bill “including potential procedural motions” may be considered for designation as key votes in NAM’s scoring of their legislative record.

The main purpose of the Republican party is to support the interests of big business (this is also one of the primary purposes of the Democratic party). I’ve always thought, though, that some day the Republican party would become so insane that it would begin to frighten big business. That day may have arrived.