The president's warning addressed concerns about so much federal money being pumped into state and local governments in a relatively short time. Mayor Doug Palmer of Trenton, N.J., said he had no problem with the president's warning.
"As mayors that have to deal with problems of our citizens every day, we don't mind being called out," Palmer said. "We get called out every day by our citizens who want help, and so we welcome that kind of accountability."
Though Republican Mayor Pat McCrory of Charlotte, N.C., initially opposed parts of the stimulus package, he said he wouldn't turn down the cash now.
"I didn't agree with all the parts of the stimulus bill as it was passed; however, now that it's passed, I want it to work the best way it can," McCrory said. "I was very pleased with President Obama's comment regarding accountability, that ... he'll be watching the mayors to make sure the money is not seen as pork or not spent wisely."
Obama's warning appeared to be an effort to portray the president as a tough-talking guardian of the public purse, which could help inoculate him when inevitable controversies erupt over how the money is being spent by some municipalities.
Baltimore Sun reporter Annie Linskey contributed to this article.
