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.
Hmmmm… I wonder which governors are considering this grandiose stand against socialism. Looks like they include Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, Alaska's Sarah Palin and South Carolina's Mark Sanford. What do those people all have in common? Jeeze, I just can't put my finger on it…
But Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, said the governors — some of whom may be considering White House bids in 2012 — are putting their own interests ahead of the public interest.
Oh yeah. That's right. The White House. But at least all these governors have the courage of their convictions and will sacrifice their political futures if the stimulus package does end up working, right?
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 including Sanford and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal can burnish their conservative credentials, knowing all the while that their legislatures can accept the money anyway.
Well, at any rate, it looks tough. And that's what really counts.
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