The power of the podium was in evidence this morning as President Obama announced his new team of economic recovery advisors. The president jumped on today’s dismal labor report to urge action on a stimulus bill. He also got in a few lashes at obstructionists in the Senate.

While he did not identify Republicans explicitly, the president is clearly hoping that Americans and the news media pick up his theme and go after the GOP for keeping the Democratic majority from doing its work. After spending the last few days filleting him for the Daschle mess and for losing the PR battle on stimulus, the Washington media are likely to support the president in this – hailing his remarks today as a robust and necessary attack in the stimulus war.

What can Republicans do to combat the message? Most importantly they must not look obstructionist as the economy sheds half a million jobs a month. This is where being a beaten down minority can help them.

Republicans should be all over TV today and for however long it takes, reminding Americans that Democrats control Congress. They should insist that they have alternatives to the ugly House bill that they’re ready to vote on, if only Harry Reid would let them. They should call on Mr. Reid to listen to the president and not waste any more time blocking attempts to get a good-enough bill passed.

At some point Republicans are going to have to vote on this. Josh and I have disagreed about the long-term message implications of the vote, but one way or another, they should vote sooner rather than later. Stimulus will pass, it’s just a question of when. It’s time for Republicans to look like they’re trying to get the train out of the station, rather than standing on the tracks.