Will Be Governor For Food

Fiscal conservatism goes out the window. Republican Governors are holding out their tin cups.

Republican governors told Mr. Obama they had qualms about what they called indiscriminate federal spending. "Every dollar they send to us is money they don't have," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said. "Meantime, that bill is being sent to our children and grandchildren."

But when the governors were asked at a news conference whether any would refuse new federal funding, no one from either party stepped forward. "None of us are comfortable with the $10 trillion in debt that has been amassed over the last several years. But for the short term, most governors agree some funds are needed for state and local governments," said Republican Vermont Gov. James H. Douglas, vice chairman of the National Governors Association.

Tim Pawlenty gives his fiscal conservative spiel in front of the cameras. When put on the spot, Pawlenty could have said he wouldn't take federal funding. He didn't because his constituents wouldn't tolerate less school and shaddy roads.

Rahm Emanuel made it clear that is not going to happen. President-elect Barack Obama wants green energy technology and broadband lines. Obama is staying away from "brick-and-mortar improvements" that could be used for pork barrel spending. Harry Reid said the stimulus package will be $500 billion. This will add to our growing deficit. That isn't going to stop Pawlenty from taking federal funds.

Update: Pawlenty is consciously distancing himself from Obama and his previous request for more federal Medicaid funding. What a difference 11 months (and presidential aspirations make.

His view on Medicaid is a turnaround from his position as chairman of the National Governors Association in January, when he signed a letter seeking more health care funding as part of a prior stimulus package.

"All the money that people are asking for from the federal government, and the money they are sending out, is money they don't have," Pawlenty said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pawlenty is dealing with the Minnesota budget deficit. In the next two years, the state is facing a $4 billion to $5 billion shortfall. Pawlenty will make noise about being a fiscal conservative. In the end, he will take the federal money. I just wish he would spare us the grandstanding.