Font Size: Former Obama Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina said Wednesday that “it was a mistake” to work with Republicans on the 2009 stimulus package, claiming that the economic recovery from the Great Recession was slower than it could have been. Messina appeared on “CNN Newsroom” and was asked by host Poppy Harlow if he regretted working with Republicans on that bill during the Obama administration and if there was “a lesson” from that time that could help President Joe Biden in his fight with Republicans over the current proposed relief package. “Look, I helped negotiate that package, and I think it was a mistake. We bent over backwards for three Republican votes,” Messina answered. “What is the single most important thing Joe Biden has to do? He has to get his arms around this coronavirus and he has to help the economy rebound.”