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Palin, Others, Seeking Federal Dole Dollars Again
At least for the moment, it seems that Republicans are presenting a unified front in decrying the proposed Federal stimulus package currently under consideration. In fact, newly minted RNC chairman Michael Steele praised the failure of any House Republicans to vote for the package, saying that the “Goose egg was just beautiful.” So it would come as no surprise if many GOP governors, particularly those often mentioned as potential White House hopefuls, would be standing shoulder to shoulder in opposition, right? Not so fast there, Skippy. As our Editor in Chief noted earlier, cash will still apparently trump principles or party solidarity.
NEW YORK (AP) — Most Republican governors have broken with their GOP colleagues in Congress and are pushing for passage of President Barack Obama’s economic aid plan that would send billions to states for education, public works and health care.
Their state treasuries drained by the financial crisis, governors would welcome the money from Capitol Hill, where GOP lawmakers are more skeptical of Obama’s spending priorities.
The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, scheduled meetings in Washington this weekend with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other senators to press for her state’s share of the package.
As Mayor of Wasilla, Palin quickly mastered the art of working the spigot on federal funds, allowing cash to flow into her town. As Governor she wasted no time in setting records, making Alaska the highest per capita feeder at the federal pork trough. She seemed to undergo an amazing reformation during her vice presidential bid into some sort of mavickery pork buster, but now that she is – at least temporarily – out of the national races, it’s probably not surprising that she’s back in town with her hand out.
She’s not the only high profile Republican governor in this situation, though. Many people have been mentioning Bobby Jindal when the 2012 race is brought up. How does he feel about the stimulus?
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a former member of the House, said he would accept the stimulus money but would have voted against the bill if he were still in Congress.
Hrmmm. Very interesting. How about Tim Pawlenty, who many felt was a V.P. lock in 2008?
Pawlenty expressed reservations about the cost of the plan and its impact on the federal deficit, which has already grown to over $1 trillion.
“I’m quite concerned about the federal government spending money it doesn’t have,” Pawlenty said. “We’re on an unsustainable path of deficit spending and borrowing.”
At last… a principled stand! Surely you won’t be taking part in any of these dubious dealings, sir?
Pawlenty, who is widely viewed as a potential presidential contender in 2012, said governors have little choice but to accept the relief being offered. “States have to balance their budgets,” he said. “So if we’re going to go down this path, we are entitled to ask for our share of the money.”
So it seems that the message can be distilled down to a few key points:
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Democrats are stupid and don’t understand how to fix the economy.
The stimulus proposal is faulty and will damage America.
When do we get our money and where do we sign for the checks?
That sounds harsh, of course, and intentionally so. The fact is that Pawlenty is correct. When you are a governor, one of your primary missions is to take care of your state first and foremost. If there are funds available during tight financial times, you go after them. And it’s a great formula for getting reelected as governor. But when you raise your head above cover to run for the Oval Office the people will examine your principles and actions at every turn under a much less state-centered microscope. What works well this year to secure your place in the governor’s mansion may well keep you out of the West Wing down the line.
9 Responses to “Palin, Others, Seeking Federal Dole Dollars Again”
To be followed by demonization of Blue-Staters who will end up paying for the bailout and a refusal to pay their fair share of the taxes that were needed to bail their sorry asses.
Palin, Jindal, Pawlenty–none of them can run for President unless they're on the record claiming opposition to the stimulus bill, because the Republican base can't abide the thought of compromise.
Of course, all these Governors would love to have the money to stimulate their state economies, which need help.
As long as they say the right things, it doesn't matter what they actually do. The base will let them off the hook.
I just have to shake my head. Of course, there are Republicans who want to be like the “kinder, gentler” “moderates” would like them to be, on this site as well as elsewhere — b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a! Big Government is OK. We promise, we won't threaten to harm Big Government. (Ideal “Republican” = Bloomberg [snicker])
Then, Obama finds himself deeper in trouble than ever, being pathetically weak in insisting the House Dem stimulus bill (which the media calls “Obama's” bill) be passed, something worse than the bank bailout. Then Obama makes a truly lunatic remark about a strong middle class requiring a strong union movement (which was already untrue as of the 1960s and even the 1950s, for anyone competent willing to exert the minimum effort needed to grasp the obvious). (The only place where unions remain in a substantial position is, where else, government.) Now his beloved health care czar, Tom Daschle, has tax troubles that dwarf the embarrassing troubles earlier of Geithner. Talk about a honeymoon being shattered by the Dems themselves, faster than ever would be believed!
And what does the GOP do? Extend foot, shoot foot.
So true, Jazz. A week or so ago, I was listening to a program on Wyoming Public Radio and the reported, Bob Beck said, “The Wyoming delegation is skeptical about the stimulus bill, but wants to make sure Wyoming gets its fair share.” This from a group who largely voted for TARP. Pretty ironic.
Don't forget something I wrote earlier this month. What will likely happen with this stimulus bill (in addition to taking the most stupid gimmicks and pieces of outreach out of it) is what happened with the bailout (TARP), i.e., what got Republicans to vote for it in suitable numbers the second time. What's that? Why, “sweeteners,” of course. I'm very surprised that more exploitation of the value of infrastructure projects (visible, tangible) hasn't been made yet.
Here's the best laugh of all. What if the Bridge to Nowhere for Alaska ends up in the revised stimulus legislation?
Republicans have no principles. That should be obvious based on their refusal to oppose spending under Bush. Therefore, nobody should take seriously their calls for fiscal discipline right now. It's nothing more than partisan grandstanding. It should surprise nobody that when Republican Governors could receive the money, they happily oblige.
I don't know why ANYBODY takes the Republicans in Washington seriously when they claim to be principled defenders of small government conservatism.
And by the way, conservative Republican Congressmen love pork too…for their own districts. My own, Jimmy Duncan, rails against government spending and then steers millions to our district for a beautiful new Justice Center. I'm glad we have it. But to anybody else, it's pork.
Like I said, Republicans have no principles.
Dems Lite, indeed.
Republicans right how have nothing — they're as dysfunctional as Albany, the capital of New York state (where “Albany” and “dysfunctional” are normally said in the same sentence; just ask Jazz Shaw). Nothing, except an uncertain future. If the Dems engage in excess or their Sixties-iodicy-legacy extremists push them into overreach, the GOP will then be attractive once more because of relative harm and odiousness. But even that, the GOP cannot count on right now, and certainly not in 2010. _Maybe_ 2012 (only fools believe Obama is guaranteed re-election in 2012 already; their cult-worship is showing).
Elrod, there's a curious analogy there that holds strongly in your part of the country, not for superficial Religious-Right-bashing reasons (the typical leftist bigotry we see) but just standing on its own as a fact of life. As with the GOP, there are some Religious Right preachers (as on the Left, but we'rel talking about the Right here for a _clear_ analogy and picture) who profess to live on the high ground morally, but are caught playing with prostitutes, spending money on lavish homes, jets, travel jaunts, and so on.
Sorry for any textual goofs; response is slow and text displayed currently is microscopic.
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As I wrote earlier, the real problem is our Socialism-Statism Lite US-style welfare state and replacement of constitutional federalism by a largely-de-facto unitary state with Washington changing from federal to national in governmental character, encroaching into more and more realms that properly state and local (our Totalitarianism Lite). The power conferred therein is corrupting Republicans as well as Democrats (who openly support and seek this trend). That leads to speculation and reflection.
We can't hope (the _real_ sense of the word) to fall back on post-1980 long-overdue reforms by the Reagan crowd that truly were successful and rescued as well as rtestored and revitalized this nation (deniers are liars!). In fact if anything, Reagan didn't go far enough (he was constrained by an over-spending Congress, who spent far more than the large increase in revenues resulting from the tax reforms as well as reductions) and I'd like to see more. But while it's more worthy and realistic than the most laughable far-left dreams (instant “free” “soft” politically-correct energy and feel-good food, clothing, and though politicies from Washington), it's not going to happen. Progress will remain elusive as an absolute thing; it will consist of a brake on downward sliding…
Dems Lite, indeed. That's what passes currently for GOP “coherence” and “definition.”
No one should be surprised by Palin. Palin gave that thanks but no thanks speech at every campaign rally even though she's always had both hands out for federal funding. If she didn't her popularity rating in Alaska would drop—- some reformer.
Someone should ask McCain what he thinks of his former running mate.