http://66.225.205.104/JR20090316a.mp3
The Obama Administration has rejected South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's request to use some of the stimulus money to pay down the state's debt. Governor Sanford threatened to reject $700 million from the stimulus plan unless he got permission to use it towards state debt. Now, he says he'll make another - more narrow - request to the White House before rejecting the stimulus money outright.
Dozens of South Carolina mayors have urged Sanford to reconsider - as have Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature. Over the weekend, the Democratic National Committee dove in with a TV ad that says, in part: "South Carolina is facing tough times. But governor Sanford is playing politics instead of doing what's right. Turning down millions in recovery act funds. Putting politics ahead of health care, jobs and schools." Critics have speculated that Governor Sanford's high-profile opposition to the stimulus spending is part of a plan to run for President in 2012. In a written statement, Sanford asks President Obama to "call off the attack dogs from the Democratic National Committee" so they can engage in productive dialogue about the stimulus money.