Lawmakers and officials moved toward forging a second fiscal stimulus bill after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke endorsed the idea and the Bush administration dropped its opposition.

Bernanke warned legislators yesterday the credit crunch is “hitting home,” with Americans unable to get auto loans and companies denied cash, and recommended measures to help borrowers. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said President George W. Bush was “open to the idea” of a new stimulus.

Bernanke told the Budget Committee yesterday that the danger of a “protracted slowdown” and a “weak” outlook for the U.S. economy into next year convinced him to support a new round of economic stimulus. A similar endorsement by Bernanke earlier this year helped clear the way for a $168 billion measure enacted in February.

The Bush administration is “open to the idea” of another economic stimulus package, though approval would depend on details drafted by Congress, Perino said. Proposals “put forward so far” by Democratic leaders in Congress “were elements of a package we did not think would actually stimulate the economy, so we would want to take a look at anything very carefully,” Perino said.

The first stimulus package will cost about $150 billion and then the bailout will cost more than $700 billion and now they may consider another package to assist the economy get back on its feet.  Wait a damn minute!  I was thinking that was what the first package was for and then the bailout were all suppose to get the economy rolling and now it will take more money?  Does anyone else smell a steaming pile of canine fecal matter?