NGA Tensions
The National Governors Association meeting in Washington over the next few days provides Pres. Obama with a forum to convince state leaders to not only endorse his $787B stimulus package but to spend the money the federal government is providing.
Though some Republican members have backed the president's effort -- Govs. Charlie Crist of FL and Arnold Schwarzenegger of CA -- others have toyed with not taking the cash. See Govs. Bobby Jindal (LA), Rick Perry (TX), Sarah Palin (AK) and Mark Sanford (SC).
Responding to this latest round of stimulus politics, Democratic Governors Association chairman Brian Schweitzer (MT) issued a tough statement today urging his Republican counterparts to stop playing games with the initiative.
"You can philosophize in D.C. all you want, but we in the states have to get things done," Schweitzer said. "A Governor's job is to deliver for people: to create good jobs, to keep criminals in prison, to educate our children, to make sure we have decent roads. This recovery package does that."
Added Schweitzer: "It's a little late for Republican Governors to get high-minded about accepting federal dollars since this recovery legislation is only a small portion of all the federal money states receive."
Nathan Daschle, executive director of the DGA and son of former Sen. Tom Daschle, said that "opposing the recovery plan but taking the money is like trying to have your cake and eat it, too. Americans who are struggling will remember this failure to lead."
"Republicans were happy to fight for a bailout for Wall Street CEOs, now it's time to stand up for the hardworking families across America who have been shortchanged for years by Wall Street and our government," Daschle said. "I know that if they don't want this money, Democratic Governors will put it to good use."
These are fighting words on the eve of the bipartisan session, which features a Sunday evening gala at the White House. Obama will address the governors Monday.
Already, some GOPers are stepping back their original resistance. Sanford, for one, has said he'll take the cash.
The matter has revealed a fissure in the GOP between the pragmatists willing to do whatever is necessary to keep their states afloat and the governors eyeing presidential bids in 2012 or beyond. Meanwhile, this latest chapter has given Democrats, who were to a degree successfully battered by congressional Republicans during the stimulus debate, to pitch themselves as the responsible bipartisan actors.
The intraparty tensions should underscore all of the NGA's meetings and events. Should make for an interesting few days. Stay tuned.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
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