House Democrats weigh new economic stimulus

White House spokesman Tony Fratto dismissed Monday's Democratic "economic forum" as political theater before the election on November 4.

"This meeting today is about campaign politics, not helping the economy. We'll see where we are next month when Congress returns" from its election recess, Fratto said.

"Democrats are not taking into account the enormous amounts of both fiscal and monetary stimulus that are just now working their way into the economy."

The meeting with Democratic leaders included former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers and Joseph Stiglitz, a White House adviser during Bill Clinton's presidency.

(Editing by John O'Callaghan)