Looks like George Stephanopolous is single-handedly trying to balance out the criticism of the Obama stimulus plan, noted here and here, that the weekend edition of Good Morning America has recently aired. Appearing this morning, Stephanopoulos proclaimed that Pres. Obama has achieved a “great success” with the plan.  His only error? Being too bi-partisan.

Co-anchor Bill Weir seconded Steph’s emotion, lamenting that the president’s achievement has been lost in all the rancor.

BILL WEIR: What could President Obama have done differently in these first 20 days to fulfill those promises on non-partisan nirvana in Washington?

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I think part of the problem that I think some White House officials I talk to concede is that he put too much emphasis on “non-partisan nirvana” rather than on getting the job done.  They made bi-partisanship the goal rather than the means to the end. 

Again, you take a step back, it’s not even two full weeks, two full weeks in office right now, and the president is on the verge of having his economic package pass both the House and the Senate, more than $800 billion.  That’s pretty significant.  But you’re right: because the White House set the goal of bi-partisanship, maybe even 80 Senate votes, this does have the feel of a failure, even though it’s a great success.

WEIR: Yeah, I guess it gets lost in all the rancor that we watch on the back and forth.

So “some White House officials” George talks with “concede” they were too bi-partisan. Would that include Rahm Emanuel, with whom Steph conducts a daily bull session along with James Carville and Paul Begala?  Looks like it’s time to break out that clenched fist again.