GOP govs consider rejecting stimulus money

[Liebling:-)))]

GOP govs consider rejecting stimulus money

Opponents say move puts conservative ideology ahead of constituents

BATON ROUGE, La. - A handful of 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 record foreclosures and soaring unemployment.

Though none has outright rejected the money available for education, health care and infrastructure, the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho have all questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will even help the economy.

"My concern is there's going to be commitments attached to it that are a mile long," said Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who considered rejecting some of the money but decided Wednesday to accept it. "We need the freedom to pick and choose. And we need the freedom to say 'No thanks.'"

Stimulus plan

Highlights of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"No community or constituent should be denied recovery assistance due to their governor's political ideology or political aspirations," Clyburn said Wednesday.

In fact, governors who reject some of the stimulus aid may find themselves overridden by their own legislatures because of language Clyburn included in the bill that allows lawmakers to accept the federal money even if their governors object.

He inserted the provision based on the early and vocal opposition to the stimulus plan by South Carolina's Republican governor, Mark Sanford. But it also means governors like Sanford and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal — a GOP up-and-comer often mentioned as a potential 2012 presidential candidate — can burnish their conservative credentials, knowing all the while that their legislatures can accept the money anyway.

Republicans' problems with the package

Jindal said he, like Perry and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, is concerned about strings attached to the money even though his state faces a $1.7 billion budget shortfall next year.

Barbour spokesman Dan Turner, for example, cited concerns that accepting unemployment money from the stimulus package would force states to pay benefits to people who wouldn't meet state requirements to receive them.

In Idaho, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he wasn't interested in stimulus money that would expand programs and boost the state's costs in future years when the federal dollars disappear — a worry also cited by Jindal and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

A spokesman said Sanford, the new head of the Republican Governors Association, is looking at the stimulus bill to figure out how much of it he can control.

"We're going through a 1,200-page bill to determine what our options are," Spokesman Joel Sawyer said. "From there, we'll make decisions."

But state Democratic Party chairwoman Carol Fowler says Sanford's hesitation is driven by his political ambition rather than the best interests of a state that had the nation's third-highest unemployment rate in December.

"He's so ideological," Fowler said. "He would rather South Carolina do without jobs than take that money, and I think he's looking for a way not to take it."

Those in favor

Not all Republican governors are reticent about using the federal cash.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist lobbied for the stimulus plan and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has embraced it as he looks to close a $2.6 billion deficit in the state's budget this year. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has already figured the money into his state's budget.

Pearson Cross, a political scientist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said fiscally conservative governors may be able to give themselves political cover by turning down small portions of the stimulus money, like health care dollars requiring a state match, that they might not fully use anyway.

But in the end, he said, they will likely take most of the available money because their states need it so badly.

"Ideology usually takes second place for governors," he said. "And that's going to mean that most governors are going to go ahead and take the money even though they have misgivings about it."

GOP govs consider rejecting stimulus money - Politics- msnbc.com

All I can say is: Wow!

 

[Jiro]

All I can say is: Wow!

why are you surprised?

 

[Liebling:-)))]

why are you surprised?

Because I am totally speechless over Republicians´ selfish behavior....

 

[Jiro]

Because I am totally speechless over Republicians´ selfish behavior....

selfish? How are they selfish?

 

[Liebling:-)))]

selfish? How are they selfish?

Please re-read the article carefully and consider more carefully.

 

[Jiro]

Please re-read the article carefully.

But do you clearly understand it and the reason for it?

 

[Liebling:-)))]

But do you clearly understand it and the reason for it?

Oh yes, I forget that you are Republicians´ supporter and against stimulus Plan...

Of course I understand because German Government did the same thing with Stimulus Plan in Germany as well.

 

[Jiro]

Oh yes, I forget that you are Republicians´ supporter and against stimulus Plan...

I'm a registered Democrat and I voted for Obama

Of course I understand because German Government did the same thing with Stimulus Plan in Germany as well.

The reason why I'm asking you all this is because all of your posts/threads are anti-Republicans and you are unable to explain the reasons in your own word. Not even once.

btw - German stimulus plan is not the same as American stimulus plan. neither are our governments

 

[Liebling:-)))]

I'm a registered Democrat and I voted for Obama

From view your most posts that you regret for vote Obama.

The reason why I'm asking you all this is because all of your posts/threads are anti-Republicans and you are unable to explain the reasons in your own word. Not even once.

It doesn´t make me anti-Republician because I disagree with most of Republican´s political view. Yes, I have in several threads... It´s not my responsble that you overlook my posts.

btw - German stimulus plan is not the same as American stimulus plan. neither are our governments

Whatever

 

[Jiro]

From view your most posts that you regret for vote Obama.

not at all. Whatever happened to "agree to disagree"? Just because I voted for Obama doesn't mean I agree with him on everything.

It doesn´t make me anti-Republician because I disagree with most of Republican´s political view. Yes, I have in several threads... It´s not my responsble that you overlook my posts.

Disagreeing with Obama's stimulus plan does not make me an anti-Obama either. It's not my responsibility for your misunderstanding. Point is - you cannot even explain why you're supporter of Obama's plan. I explained mine. So did Reba & Foxrac. So did other AD'ers. I think you should do same.

 

[VamPyroX]

Looks like we're gonna have a lot of pissed off voters that won't be getting money.

 

[BradB08]

selfish? How are they selfish?

They're putting the needs of their people below the needs of their political ambition and party?

I mean, duh! How can you not see it?

 

[Liebling:-)))]

They're putting the needs of their people below the needs of their political ambition and party?

Exactly! There´re many people who needs help but the Republicans doesn't want to help. I´ve been try to see their political view why they consider to reject stimulus money but I still don't get it. All what I see is selfish of Republicans for want to see Obama´s plan fail without think the chance to help the people and improve America´s country. Really sad...

I mean, duh! How can you not see it?

Yes I am wondering the same that´s why I suggest Jiro to consider carefully what the article written.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Looks like we're gonna have a lot of pissed off voters that won't be getting money.

Yes, I see the same as you... but maybe there´re some Republicans are too pride to take Obama´s plan.

 

[Jiro]

Yes I am wondering the same that´s why I suggest Jiro to consider carefully what the article written.

Yes, I see the same as you... but maybe there´re some Republicans are too pride to take Obama´s plan.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

not at all. Whatever happened to "agree to disagree"? Just because I voted for Obama doesn't mean I agree with him on everything.

Yes, I disagree some of Obama´s political view but I try to find out the positive the reason why Obama do that etc but you?

But with you is different, I can see from your many posts that Republician politites is in your heart but you have to vote Obama because of McCain for many reasons.

Disagreeing with Obama's stimulus plan does not make me an anti-Obama either.

Exactly, why you accused me as anti-Republican in first place for when you know that you and I disagree some of their political views?

It's not my responsibility for your misunderstanding.

How could I misunderstanding when I disagree with your view over Republicians for agree with Reba´s link because I agree with 2 links, I posted against Reba´s link... And look at your own post for accuse me as anti-republician...? It doesn´t mean that I misunderstand Republican´s view that´s because I see different view as them? :roll:

Point is - you cannot even explain why you're supporter of Obama's plan. I explained mine. So did Reba & Foxrac. So did other AD'ers. I think you should do same.

Not really, I would say same thing about you as well... You agreed with Reba´s link as the same as I agreed with 2 links against Reba´s link as well. I explained why I support Obama´s plan. It´s not my responsible that you misinterpreted my posts...

Have a great day and

 

[Jiro]

Yes, I disagree some of Obama´s political view but I try to find out the positive the reason why Obama do that etc but you?

But with you is different, I can see from your many posts that Republician politites is in your heart but you have to vote Obama because of McCain for many reasons.

Do you even know the FUNDAMENTAL difference between Republican and Democratic Parties? and if I seem to have a Republican heart - then why am I a registered Democrat? did you forget that already?

Exactly, why you accused me as anti-Republican in first place for when you know that you and I disagree some of their political views?

How could I misunderstanding when I disagree with your view over Republicians for agree with Reba´s link because I agree with 2 links, I posted against Reba´s link... And look at your own post for accuse me as anti-republician...? It doesn´t mean that I misunderstand Republican´s view that´s because I see different view as them? :roll:

Not really, I would say same thing about you as well... You agreed with Reba´s link as the same as I agreed with 2 links against Reba´s link as well. I explained why I support Obama´s plan. It´s not my responsible that you misinterpreted my posts...

Because you have given us NO explanation for your reason in your own word. Not even once. You just hate anybody who does not support Obama. I have never seen any ONE negative post about Obama from you. That deeply concerns me...

Have a great day and

why thank you! you too!

 

[Foxrac]

They're putting the needs of their people below the needs of their political ambition and party?

I mean, duh! How can you not see it?

Exactly! There´re many people who needs help but the Republicans doesn't want to help. I´ve been try to see their political view why they consider to reject stimulus money but I still don't get it. All what I see is selfish of Republicans for want to see Obama´s plan fail without think the chance to help the people and improve America´s country. Really sad...

Yes I am wondering the same that´s why I suggest Jiro to consider carefully what the article written.

Both of you don't understand about background of republican party, especially Liebling don't live in America.

There's some democrats are selfish as well.

States have rights to reject because of high spending and wouldn't help to shorten the recession.

 

[Reba]

Because I am totally speechless over Republicians´ selfish behavior....

"Gov. Mark Sanford told the U.S. Senate Republican Caucus Wednesday that they should reject the federal stimulus plan or risk putting the country in a worse position."
Sanford urges against bailout plan


Those are not selfish words. Gov. Sanford wants to protect his state and nation.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Do you even know the FUNDAMENTAL difference between Republican and Democratic Parties?

Yeah, so?

and if I seem to have a Republican heart - then why am I a registered Democrat? did you forget that already?

It's not my responsible that you overlook my previous view on your posts.

Because you have given us NO explanation for your reason in your own word.

Again, it's not my responsible that you overlook my posts.

Not even once.

Do you mean NEVER? - wow, I really feel sorry for you...

You just hate anybody who does not support Obama.

Huh? I do not see anything that I ADers over Obama's plan... I really have no clue why you made stupid childish assumption. I am free to agree to disagree anything what I want without insult them...

You should have a REAL good look at YOUR OWN troll posts in MANY threads, example abortion threads ... You are the one who hate ADers for disagree with you and want ADers follow your own way...

I have never seen any ONE negative post about Obama from you. That deeply concerns me...

Yes, I have few weeks ago. Again, it's not my responsible that you overlook my posts.

why

Simple answer is: Because I'm not bitter person but nice and polite person...

thank you!

Pleasure...