AP:

Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler said Monday that his party’s leadership on Capitol Hill has failed to pursue a bipartisan compromise to a costly economic stimulus package, arguing that a lack of Republican support is eroding the program’s credibility.
The conservative Democrat, who represents a western North Carolina district, was one of a handful in his party to oppose the stimulus package when the House voted on it two weeks ago. He said Democratic leaders in Congress haven’t made any effort to hear his concerns or assuage his fears about the spending bill since the vote.
“In order for us to get the confidence of America, it has to be done in a bipartisan way,” Shuler said in Raleigh following an economic forum. “We have to have everyone — Democrats and Republicans standing on the stage with the administration — saying ‘We got something done that was efficient, stimulative and timely.’”
The measure is widely expected to pass even without across-the-aisle support. No House Republicans voted for the stimulus package, and only a few Senate Republicans have expressed support for a package advancing through that chamber.
Shuler said President Barack Obama’s administration has reached out to listen to his concerns but that Democratic leaders in Capitol Hill have not.
“I truly feel that’s where maybe House leadership and Senate leadership have really failed,” Shuler said.