WASHINGTON — The nation's mayors promised transparency and no political pork after meeting yesterday with President Obama, who warned he would "call them out" if they waste the federal stimulus dollars they've eagerly sought.

Speaking in the East Room, Obama urged 80 mayors to spend the federal dollars wisely.

"What I will need from all of you is unprecedented responsibility and accountability," Obama said. "... The American people are watching. They need this plan to work. They expect to see the money that they've earned, that they've worked so hard to earn, spent in its intended purposes without waste, without inefficiency, without fraud."

Obama, who has spent considerable political capital on the stimulus package, told the mayors he is assigning a team of managers to ensure that every dollar is well spent.

"We cannot tolerate business as usual — not in Washington, not in our state capitals, not in America's cities and towns," he said. "If a federal agency proposes a project that will waste that money, I will not hesitate to call them out on it and put a stop to it. And I want everybody here to be on notice that if a local government does the same, I will call them out on it and use the full power of my office and our administration to stop it."

The mayors in December issued a massive wish list of projects, some of which were criticized as pork-barrel spending. But they said after meeting with Obama and members of his Cabinet that they are prepared for a barrage of scrutiny.

"We get called out every day," said Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, who serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. "We have plenty of constituents who would be doing that before the president does it."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that the message wasn't aimed at mayors in particular. He said the president will deliver "the very same message" when he meets with the nation's governors Monday at the White House.

The mayors are eager to get the stimulus money. Some — in the form of Community Development Block Grants — could begin flowing in a few weeks.

The meeting with the mayors came a day after the administration created a new office of urban affairs, led by former Bronx borough president Adolfo Carrion. He'll report directly to Obama and coordinate federal urban programs.