White House Calls Kyl’s Bluff on Canceling Stimulus, Republicans Whine About It

Last week, Jon Kyl (WATB-AZ) wrote:

It’s not a surprise that a recent Rasmussen poll found that 45 percent of Americans want to cancel the rest of the stimulus spending.  I agree.

He then went on MTP and said the same thing. So the White House took him up on it.

No fewer than four Cabinet secretaries wrote to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer — also a Republican — to ask her if she agreed with Kyl that it was time to turn off the state’s stimulus spigot. “If you prefer to forfeit the money we are making available to your state, as Sen. Kyl suggests, please let me know,” wrote Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. For good measure, he attached a three-page addendum listing each of the Arizona projects paid for by the $521 million the state is getting. 

And what happens when you smack bullies in the face? They cry like babies.

“The governor is hopeful that these federal Cabinet officials are not threatening to deny Arizona citizens the portion of federal stimulus funds to which they are entitled,” her spokesman said in a statement.

I guess we’re to assume that Kyl meant he wanted the stimulus cut off everywhere but Arizona. Just like Cantor. Just like Boehner.

How ’bout some cheese with that whine, Jon?

It’s unfortunate that President Obama and his administration seem unwilling to debate the merits of the stimulus bill and acknowledge its shortcomings.  Instead, they have resorted to coordinated political attacks with the Democratic National Committee and the politicization of departments of government by using cabinet secretaries to issue thinly veiled threats to the Governor and the people of Arizona.

So which is it, Senator? You want to cancel the stimulus or don’t you?

Put up or shut up.

Related posts:

1. Eric Cantor Says Stimulus Bill Failed, Except That Whole Creating Jobs in His Home State Part
2. NYT Can’t Recall that Republicans Who Demand “Where Are the Jobs?” All Voted Against the Stimulus
3. Biden to Smack Boehner Around on Stimulus
4. Boehner Enlists Bloodhound to Look for Stimulus Jobs, Forgets They’re in His Home State
5. Rick Perry Calls Stimulus “Irresponsible” after Accepting Billions of Federal Dollars to Balance Budget, Repair Governor’s Mansion