GOP Govs Say ‘No’ To Stimulus Money
By The Pajama Pundit | Related entries in News
Well, maybe. Â Some of them. Â This from today’s edition of FirstRead:
This is a fascinating story, per the AP: “A half-dozen Republican governors are considering turning down some money from the federal stimulus package, a move opponents say puts conservative ideology ahead of the needs of constituents struggling with foreclosures and unemployment.†Who are these GOP governors? They’re a “who’s who†of possible presidential candidates in 2012 — Sanford (SC), Jindal (LA), Palin (AK), Perry (TX), and Barbour (MS). What say you, Mitt Romney? This could become the ultimate litmus test for Republicans. But what will happen if residents decide they need the assistance and don’t want to lose out on the money? Can governors block this aid? Will state legislatures allow it? Remember, governors have to balance their budgets, so if these Republicans decide not to accept the money, will they get blamed for the future spending cuts or tax hikes that have to follow?
Some great questions by Chuck Todd and company.
There are lots of varying outcomes to these scenarios. Sure, it is likely that a Republican governor who turns down stimulus money may save face with GOP colleagues, but ultimately elected officials answer to their constituents. However, if a governor turns down the federal money and then has to raise taxes to make ends meet in their state, my guess is that a re-election bid will become extremely difficult.
Oh, and I’d be very interested to hear thoughts on this from people like Romney, Huckabee, Crist, etc. If this does become a GOP talking-point for the 2012 election, these are definitely the folks to go to for a soundbyte right now. Get them on record.
[cross-posted at ThePajamaPundit.com]
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February 19th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I bet Governor Crist doesn’t turn it down.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:49 am
More GOP nonsense–included in the Stimlus Bill is language that allows to the state legislatures to take the money over the Governor’s objections. Now, some will argue that gives the Governors cover, but if I were in the state legislature and my governor pulled that to force me to stick my neck out, I don’t care if he is my party or not, I’m taking some very public shots at him.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I think the big question/concern that goes along with the money is simple:
What strings are attached?
The PATRIOT Act’s reasoning for seeking records from public libraries was based on “if you want our funds, you need to follow our rules”. The same thing applied 20+ years ago with raising the drinking age and highway funds. Now multiply this by 100 and apply it to every sector.
If the Feds required States to release driving records on anyone to get highway funds, would you want your State to accept the money?
If the Feds required hospitals to open all records to review for “inefficiencies”, would you want your State to accept the money? If I recall correctly, that rule is already in there.
Even if the strings for the money are acceptable now, what prevents the Feds from going back and adding new rules retroactively? It’s plausible, they did it with the banks.
Would you sign the smallest agreement when the other side can change the terms without your consent? This is a Faustian deal at best.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Republicans have really drawn the line in the sand on this one.
It appears they’re linking their political future (at the least, the 2010 and 2012 elections) on the success or failure of the recovery bill. I’m running out of adjectives to describe the slime which breeds within the current version of the republican party – the same version which has run the show for the last 8 years. These guy just aren’t understanding the message they received from the electorate in the last election.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:27 am
OK, I only have one question: where do I go to bet all my money on “GOP governors rattle saber on refusing gov’t dough, and then find a way to take it in the end?”
February 19th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Another insightful and thoughtful analysis by Mario. Could someone help the guy out and buy him a thesaurus? He needs more adjectives. It is very important to keep ad hominem arguments fresh, especially when it’s all you got.
I agree with Kranky. As much as I’d like to believe they are willing to stand on principle, I expect this is a lot of eyewash on the part of the GOP Governors. I’ll stand by my comment on another thread – I have yet to see or hear of any governor, of any state, of any party, at any time, who did not think the feds should give their state more money and would take it gladly.
Please Bobby – prove me wrong.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I wouldn’t be so sure that turning down the money is a political minus in every state. South Carolinians who would want the state to take the money are by and large Democratic voters. The political calculation for a governor who will have to run again in the enxt few years (and for his party brethren in state legislatures, etc. who might have to agree or disagree about the dough) is a simple one to make (principles aside): poll the issue and if more potentially wswing voters approve of turning down the money than disapprove, turn it down.
Of course, principles may be at stake too, but I long ago stopped considering that as a major factor for politicians.
February 19th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Why are we giving money to Alaska anyway? They have the most money per capita out of anyone, and as far as I know, no specter of recession has hit that state.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I wouldn’t be so sure that turning down the money is a political minus in every state. South Carolinians who would want the state to take the money are by and large Democratic voters
In theory a lot of Republican voters probably say they don’t want the money. In reality they’re gonna go to the next PTA meeting, and listen to teachers discuss what gets axed. Then they go home, and watch their Governor reject the money that could save the school band. It’s kinda hard to tell your teenage kid he has to give up his beloved High School soccer team because the of the Governor’s strong principles.
So if they don’t take the money these Govs are going to have quite a bit of explaining to do to soccer moms. At best that’s gonna make re-election a lot more stressful, and give the Democrat some real good talking points.
If they end up accepting all (or even some) of the money they look like hypocrites. Which plays directly into the Democratic narrative that the GOP doesn’t actually believe a word of their Conservative rhetoric, and it’s just using right-wing voters. This is a hell of an issue to flip-flop on.
If they have to take it they look incompetent.
There’s just no political up-side to this press conference.If they take the money they look bad. If they don’t take the money they piss off their voters…