Vermont Has Its Say With President
Governor Douglas met with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Monday. Their one-on-one meeting focused on the stimulus package and put Vermont’s governor in the national spotlight.
Douglas had planned a trip to Washington to try to convince Republican senators to support the federal stimulus plan. But then the White House called, saying the President wanted a meeting. These two unlikely allies share a common goal: Get the stimulus plan passed.
“I want to thank Governor Douglas for being here,” the president said.
The first governor President Obama welcomed to the White House– Vermont Governor Jim Douglas. The goal: show bipartisan support for the federal stimulus package.
“I hear from Republicans and Democrats the need for action and swift action and that’s what we are trying to do,” President Obama said.
Gov. Douglas, R-Vermont, supports the $890 billion stimulus plan. But many fellow Republicans in Congress don’t, arguing it contains too much pork. But as Vice Chair of the National Governor’s Association, Douglas is looking out for states and says they need the money to help balance budgets. He’s lobbying lawmakers and spoke to us by phone from Washington, D.C.
“If this were an ordinary time I may have a different view but it’s not, it’s an extraordinary time; it’s a recession that may be the deepest and longest in generations,” Douglas said.
The governor and president also met privately for a total of half an hour together.
Reporter Kristin Carlson: Were you surprised when the president asked to meet with you?
Gov. Douglas: Yes… It was a great honor… He certainly makes a visitor feel at ease.
“Vermont– even though tiny– has an influence,” said Garrison Nelson, a political scientist at UVM.
Nelson says the meeting helps both politicians. It shows Obama reaching across the aisle. And it was a good photo op for Douglas, the highest ranking Republican in a state that voted strongly for Obama.
And Democrats currently holding statewide officers are already lining up for the Governor’s job.
“It’s good for Douglas; good career move,” Nelson said.
A day in the limelight but Douglas says this was not a trial run for higher office; he likes being governor.
“I just say what’s on my mind regardless of the size of the crew and try to get the job done,” Douglas said.
The Senate took up debate on the stimulus package Monday. It’s already passed the House. Vermont leaders are counting on the money to offset deep cuts to programs and also to start construction projects in the Spring and get the economy moving.
President Bush never had a one-on-one meeting with Governor Douglas like this.
In his meeting with President Obama Monday, Douglas said he actually thanked the president for reversing a Bush administration policy and allowing states to set stricter tailpipe emissions to limit greenhouse gas pollution. Douglas says President Obama also said Vermont is a beautiful state, that he enjoyed his visit here two years ago and wants to come here again.
