Schwarzenegger, other GOP govs desperately embrace Obama's plan
As if we needed more proof that the GOP's united opposition up on Capitol Hill to President Barack Obama's stimulus plan was just so much posturing, take a look below.
Down on the ground, the GOP governors of California and Florida are hugging the plan and cooing as if it were their own new baby.
As McClatchy reports:
Schwarzenegger called it "a terrific package" and said it would pump $80 billion into California's economy. That includes $35 billion in tax cuts and $45 billion that will go to transportation, education, health care and other areas, he said.
South Carolina's Mark Sanford, chair of the Republican Governors Association, is not happy about Arnold and Charlie. More from McClatchy:
But Schwarzenegger, true to form as the Terminator, who started out as an enemy of humans but later returned as a protector, told ABC:
"I'm more than happy to take his money or any other governor in this country that doesn't want to take this money, I take it, because we in California can need it."
Then Stanford told reporters on Monday: "It's a difference of opinion that makes the world go 'round."
That's true, but when the world has stopped going 'round, you have to get it moving again.
Far from Wall Street and the particular misery of traders and bankers, governors Schwarzenegger and Crist see the spreading damage from Wall Street's meltdown.
Yet another Terminator sequel is planned, and this one is called Salvation. Schwarzenegger may appear in it, but only through the miracle of special effects, so wait before you crown Schwarzenegger as a savior: The dedicated wonks at the barely known but highly capable Center on Budget and Policy Priorities pointed out earlier this month the massive budget cuts state-by-state, including a Schwarzenegger proposal to deny health coverage to 429,000 adults.
1 comment(s)
Further demonstrating that the Republican governors are merely posturing in their position on rejecting stimulus: The bill provides that their compliance or lack thereof with the provisions so many of them are questioning will be judged by the Secretary of Labor. If they were acting in the best interest of their people they would not reject the funds outright - but at least apply for them. But that would lose them their soapbox opportunity now to oppose the bill and showcase their talents at a time of maximum attention before 2012. It's no fluke that almost every governor against the bill is a 2012 contender - and those that aren't support it.
Posted On: Wednesday, Feb. 25 2009 @ 11:10PM