President Barack Obama called Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Monday to thank her for supporting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal stimulus bill currently working its way through congress. Rell joined 14 other governors from across the country and from both political parties to urge Congress to pass a stimulus expediently for the president’s signature. Rell’s support as well as that of fellow Republican Govs. Charlie Christ of Florida and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California provides valuable political capital for Democrats, who are facing Republican opposition to the bill in the House.