Granholm to GOP stimulus aid refusers: 'We'll take your money'

[Bozita]

Source: AP

Granholm to GOP stimulus aid refusers: 'We'll take your money'
ASSOCIATED PRESS • FEBRUARY 22, 2009


WASHINGTON — To take federal stimulus money for your state or not to take it. That is the big question for Democratic and Republican governors in town for the National Governor’s Association meeting this weekend.

Democrats claim those Republican governors who turn down money from the federal stimulus package are “fringe” Republicans eager to score political points.

Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm said there are other states that want and need the new money. “We’ll take it. We’ll take your money.”

Elaborating in an appearing on “Fox News Sunday” with three other governors, Granholm said the issue “is not about philosophical theory. This is about real people who, through no fault of their own, are laid off because of a recession. They need to be able to put food on the table.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20090222/NEWS06/90222026/Granholm+to+GOP+stimulus+aid+refusers+++We+ll+take+your+money+

[saltpoint]

1. Alright. You go, Governor.

She's in the red zone of real effective politics here.

Love her.

[Cha]

2. Good..I like hearing this from the

Govs who actually care about our country and its people. The grandstanding by the selfish needs to be brought to everyone's attention.

[McCamy Taylor]

3. I think all the aid the GOP refuses should go to Michigan. They have been hit hard.

[MichiganVote]

13. We love you in Michigan. :) Its like we've been invisible in this state for 8 long ass years.

[blue_onyx]

15. I agree about MI being an invisible state

Nationally, nobody seemed to care until they were suffering too. If people had paid more attention, maybe the national economic crisis could have been averted or at least diminished the impact of it.

[MichiganVote]

30. Couldn't agree more....

[harry_pothead]

35. No

CA seriously needs a piece of it too.

[vanboggie]

4. That's our awesome Gov

And all she gets from the Rethug west coast of Michigan are detractors who still blame her for the mess the State is in. They aren't bright enough to realize this economic disaster is country wide.

[blue_onyx]

17. They're also not bright enough to realize that

the economy was bad when she took office. We had a huge budget deficit (4 billion, I believe), the rain-day fund had been decimated, we had already lost about 200,000 jobs, and unemployment was already around 7%. Granholm had a huge mess left to her and the GOP did nothing other than obstruct her, in the hopes of a Republican winning in 2006. This is what I think the GOP will do the Obama too....just say no and obstruct everything Obama tries to do in the hope he'll be a one-term president.

[vanboggie]

23. Exactly

Bush Lite Engler left the state in a horrible mess and gutted the treasury ala BushCo. It sickens me when the Rethugs around here blame it all on "Jenny". I swear I don't know how people can be so blind to the facts.

[shaniqua6392]

5. We will certainly take any left over money that the Repugs don't want.

It should be divided up amongst the remaining states that have no problem helping the citizens who need help. We are dying here in Michigan. I am proud of our governor. She understands that we are having a hard time staying employed and feeding our families.

[radfringe]

6. WOOOOT! WAY TO GO!

Now that's what I like to see - A Dem with spine!

[question everything]

7. This is what every governor and mayor should say

Yes, we should not punish the people who live in their states but if we do the same with Iran and other countries, why not our own? At least, in SC and LA they can replace their governors.

[radfringe]

9. GMTA - all the Governors who are taking all of the stim money

should come out and say the same thing to the NOPer Govs - "You don't want it? We'll take it. We have people hurting, struggling that we care about and this money will help them"

[blue_onyx]

8. The GOP Governors who said they might not take the money

will, indeed, take the money. I bet not one of them has the guts to actually turn it down. If they do, then Michigan and the rest of the states will gladly accept the money.

I forgot to watch “Fox News Sunday.” When I heard Granholm would be on, I planned on watching. Just slipped my mind.

[acmavm]

32. Of course they will. They're repubics. And we're talking about MONEY!

They just need an angle as to how they can siphon the funds away from the public and into their corporate owner's coffers.

[firedupdem]

10. Go Jennifer Granholm! Get it straight because I want to come

back home to Michigan!

[blue_onyx]

11. and I would like to be able to stay home in MI

Hope you're able to come back :)

[firedupdem]

12. Thanks Blue...I won't be happy until I get back there! I hope you

get to stay too!

[JustJeking]

42. Me too!!!

I'd love to move back to Detroit. Home sweet home.

[bkkyosemite]

14. Wonder how much of it we would get if we made say less than 75,000. The repubs don't want it I do!

[Missy Vixen]

16. Go, Governor Granholm!

Michigan, and the workers of Michigan, need that stimulus.

It's too bad that the governor of Louisiana thinks his state, and the people of that state, are less important than his political bonafides.

[marmar]

18. Seeing as how, despite Michigan's economic struggles, we are a DONOR state.....

..... meaning we send more to Washington than we get back (unlike the Wingnut Welfare King states down south), I think the Guv is right.

[Danmel]

19. I was thinking the same thing

I work for an elected in NY and we'd be happy to take any stim money those red states don't want. We have a big humongo hole in our budget- we'd love to fix some roads and hire some home health nurses.

[TripleKatPad]

20. That's my Guv!

Couldn't be prouder.

[TheCowsCameHome]

21. Damn straight - screw those two-faced hypocrite (R)pukes.

Let them explain to their states why they placed politics above the citizenry.

[FarCenter]

22. Keep this in mind when granting DoD contracts and closing bases

Those states sure wouldn't want any of that Washington money.

[sandyj999]

24. I will say that she is really working for us.

And yes we will be happy to take their money.

[liberal N proud]

25. Glad someone said this publicly

[bertman]

26. Ahnuld, the Govenator, was singing the same song today. It's gonna be Top Ten next week.

[Politicub]

27. For those GOP governors turning down the money...

just who are they trying to score points with? Sean Hannity? Rush Limbaugh?

I can't think of anything more evil than denying a helping hand to the residents of their states who need stimulus package jobs or funds. I hope their shortsightedness comes back to haunt them at election time.

[Optical.Catalyst]

28. It may be 'fringe' Republicans scoring points, but I smell a rat

These Republicans are pure political animals that will sacrifice the well being of their constituents in order to regain their power. I am suspicious that they have found some legal loop hole that the states that refuse stimulus money will be able to ignore other legislation from the Federal Government. When we need to control or regulate something necessary for the good of all, these states will dive a wedge into the programs and obstruct President Obama's plans. Watch for the states that forego Federal funds to refuse to adhere to water usage regulations or lowering of speed limits to conserve fuel.

[blue_onyx]

29. I was looking for the video on Youtube

and I didn't find it. But I did find a clip of Gov. Granholm, (from the same show) wiping the floor with Gov. Pawlenty and Gov. Sanford regarding the auto industry. Pawlenty thinks the unions taking a 50% pay cut isn't enough of a concession....just crazy. You may find it enjoyable to watch :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PIxlicgG9U

[TheMickster]

31. well at least we know

Who will be running for president in 2012. And that should be screamed from the rafters everyday. Its all about running for office NOT what is best for our states.:grr:

[sueh]

33. Senator Dick Durbin said on the senate floor when the bill went up for its final vote that one

of it's provisions would give state legislators the ability to request the money if the governor doesn't.

IMO, there are a couple of ways to look at this. One, is so that states don't lose out if the Repug governor wants to throw all of his constituents under the bus. Another is that the Repug governor can still act like as asshole, knowing the legislators will go around him by requesting the money. This scenario is a win-win for them. "Hey, lookie, I am going to stomp my feet and jump up and down. I don't want your stinkin' money. But, err, my legislators will be right there to pick it up". :crazy:

[vanboggie]

34. Wanna see something REALLY SCARY?

This is worse than visiting FR. It is frightening that these Michigan freepers live amongst us.

http://www.topix.net/forum/source/wood/TE3FIQUN1GNLNREVR

There's one comment on there that I won't even quote here involving a hope that something happens to the train they want to send Granholm back to Canada on. These are our church-going, god & gun loving West Michigan freeptards. Not surprising Amway and Blackwater both came out of this area, is it.

[sandyj999]

36. Not one of our states greatest assets are they?

And we haven't had the last of DeVos running yet either. I can't stand those people!

[blue_onyx]

37. I wish DeVos was running in 2010

I would feel pretty confident of John Cherry winning if DeVos was his opponent. I still think Cherry will have a good shot at winning but it may be a little closer having at Republican who can at least pretend to be moderate (ex: Terri Lynn Land).

[sandyj999]

38. Good Point!

I think there will be a Repub stampede. Bishop, Cox, Land and whoever else crawls from under the rock. Maybe Brooks Patterson......................(that is humor I hope), he is such a pompous windbag.

[blue_onyx]

39. Bishop is running for Attorney General

I'm hoping Kim Worthy will run for the Dems to defeat him. As far a governor, it could get crowded for the GOP with Land, Cox, Hoekstra, and maybe Patterson running. I don't think Patterson is serious...he just likes the attention he gets for possibly running. He annoys me too...although he could be a dangerous candidate since he could take votes from Oakland county that would otherwise go to the Democratic candidate. I think the DeVos family (and their money) will play a big part in determining who gets the nomination.

[sandyj999]

40. Kim Worthy would be great.

I have followed her career since the Malice Green case and at that time I knew there would be big things ahead for her. I think Brooks just likes to stir the pot. I'm also waiting for Andy Dillon to make a move which I believe he will.

[llmart]

41. Correction....

a pompous drunken windbag.

[sandyj999]

43. Your correction is correct. n/t

[sarcasmo]

44. Since I can't Rec I can only KICK!