WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package appears headed for almost certain passage in Congress, even as the House and Senate get down to the difficult task of reconciling competing bills.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package appears headed for almost certain passage in Congress, even as the House and Senate get down to the difficult task of reconciling competing bills.

Obama will take his case to the American people next week with his first prime-time news conference planned for today, after treasury secretary Timothy Geithner outlines details for a new financial-sector rescue plan.

Then he'll take part in town hall-style meetings in towns suffering particularly hard times - Elkhart, Indiana, today and Fort Myers and Florida tomorrow.

But things haven't gone quite the way the new Obama team expected.

Still, Obama aides claimed they were satisfied with the results, given the enormity of the challenge. - Sapa-AP