Bush supports 2nd stimulus to energize economy

President Bush is open to the idea of a second government stimulus to further boost the U.S. economy amid the financial crisis, the White House said Monday.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said Bush’s endorsement of a second stimulus would depend on the details of legislation drafted by Congress. Perino said the administration had concerns that what’s been put forward so far by Democratic leaders in Congress would not actually energize the economy.

“We’ll remain open to the idea, and then we’ll just have to see when Congress gets back, if they decide to move forward what sort of package they want to draft into legislation ... and see if it actually would stimulate the economy,” she told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Alexandria, La., where Bush was meeting with local business leaders.

On Capitol Hill, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he too was in favor of another round of stimulus.