As we prepare for Sunday - Betsy and I have begun the more intense part of our prep - I keep coming back to the major issue for the program: the role of government. The states collectively face budget shortfalls of nearly 84 billion dollars. They need this money, and yet our guests this morning highlight a tense political divide. Republicans sense they have, they think, a winning political issue in opposing the mammoth expansion of the federal government's role in solving this crisis. They also have principled beliefs about the need for smaller government.
Gov Crist has concluded you have to back the President here because the state's needs are too great. Gov Jindal will end up taking much of the money, but wants to refuse aspects of the plan because of his fears about what happens when the money goes away. He also may run for President which puts him in a delicate position. At a time when the GOP feels the need to hold on dearly to its conservative base, he cannot afford to be cast as a big government republican. Remember Senator McCain railing against President Bush and republicans in congress spending like drunken sailors?
It should be a great conversation. I hope you will be there Sunday and give me your feedback online! Have a great weekend.
