More promises, promises

Whether the huge stimulus bill will quickly boost the economy is uncertain.

But by signing the $787 billion bill today, President Obama did keep or advance some 50 of his campaign promises -- what a watchdog website calls a "remarkable number."

Indeed, the 1,071-page bill includes nearly 10 percent of all his pledges, Politifact.com said today. "The accomplishment reflects the extraordinary scope of the bill, which covers everything from tax credits for workers to weatherizing homes," the fact-checking website said.

For instance, Obama gets credit for keeping promise No. 327 by getting $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts in the stimulus plan.

But he gets docked for breaking pledge No. 505 because the stimulus does not include a $3,000 tax credit for businesses for creating each job, which Politifact says now appears dead.