Why I think the stimulus will pass the Senate

Mitch McConnell, who is in more of a position to know than I am, thinks the GOP will scuttle the current stimulus bill in the Senate. Via TPM:

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday the massive stimulus bill backed by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats could go down to defeat if it's not stripped of unnecessary spending and focused more on housing issues and tax cut.

We all know what happened to the bill in the House. Since the Democrats lack a filibuster-proof majority, at least two Republican Senators would need to cross party lines to vote with for the package.

Why do I think the package will pass? From later in the same article:

Under Obama's plan, strained state budgets would receive a cash infusion, projects for roads and other infrastructure would be funded, and "green jobs" in the energy sector would be created. In its centerpiece tax cut, single workers would gain $500 and couples $1,000, even if they don't earn enough to owe federal income taxes. [emphasis mine]

Democrats only need two votes for cloture, and as it happens two Republican Senators happen to be from a state that is stone broke. Add in the pressure that GOP governors are putting on their party members in the Senate, and I'm going to bet that the stimulus package passes.

Update: For back-up, the ever-reliable Nate Silver.