vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

2.23.2009

Douglas secures another Obama invitation

Gov. Jim Douglas will site in the presidential box in the balcony of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday night as President Barack Obama delivers his first speech to Congress.

Anybody jealous?

“It is a great honor and privilege to accept the President’s invitation,” said Douglas, a Republican. "I appreciate his efforts to reach out to governors of both parties as we work together to bring our nation through these extraordinary times.”

Douglas has been in D.C. for the winter meeting of the National Governor’s Association. He's vice chairman. Although that meeting ended today, he's chairman of a subcommittee working on health information technology that meets Tuesday. So he was going to be in town anyway.

Douglas won't be the only governor. According to his deputy chief of staff, Gov. Ted Strickland, D-Ohio, also got an invitation.

Douglas doesn't expect Obama to point him out, but surely some inside-the-beltway politicos will notice. Wonder what they will make of Douglas relationship with the new president?

-- Nancy Remsen

posted by vt.Buzz | 5:38 PM |

Comments:

It's all fine and good. Schmoozing with the President; yet, let's not forget about all the things in Vermont Douglas seems to be forgetting about.

1) Roads and bridges look like a scene from LA during an earthquake.
2) Business leaving Vermont in favor for a friendlier environment elsewhere. (I thought Republicans were pro-business)
3) What happened to the property tax issue? Perhaps if Vermonters were not so heavily taxed, they would spend more money that would actually help spur the economy.
4) A rogue majority in the legislature.
5) Education costs are through the roof.
6) What ever happened to Republicans in the legislature, anyways? Lost breed I suppose.

Oh well. As the President's rating goes, so does Douglas values - which are apparently as wishy washy as a mixed flavor ice cream machine.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:40 AM, February 24, 2009

Rush Limbaugh might see him tonight.
When will Governor Douglas run a foul of the Sanford,Jindhl rejection-ists in his Republican party ? Even Judd Gregg couldn't take the heat of being bi-partisan.

# Posted by:

BP | 7:02 AM, February 24, 2009

did this get proofread? opening sentence ...will sit, not site, in Obama's presidental box

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:26 AM, February 24, 2009

...will the governor be using his meal allowance.....or is dinner included in this trip.....

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:09 AM, February 24, 2009

Obama's definition of bipartisan - "It is okay to be bipartisan as long as you do it my way".

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:39 PM, February 24, 2009

Who is paying for these trips to Washington and how many staffers go with him?

Last time you could see both Dennise Casey and Heidi Tringe in the oval office.

Why did they have to go and who pays for them?

Doesn't the Governor know that VT is in a budget crunch - with technology, both Heidi and Dennise could operate from Montpelier rather than have to rent hotel rooms, meals, and flights.

Looks to me like Jim Douglas is losing touch with reality... His motto is "do as I say, not as I do!"

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:40 PM, February 24, 2009

Wanted to mention that the Free Press will carry Obama's speech live tonight in case you're stuck behind a computer.

# Posted by:

markgould | 4:57 PM, February 24, 2009

Get over it.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:35 PM, February 24, 2009

You are right - Jim Douglas operates on the premise; "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO!"

While he galavants in DC, rubbing elbows with DC cronies, back home his henchman are firing state workers.

State workers who pay income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, have families who need food on the table and a roof over head.

Terri and Nancy - I wonder how much these trips to DC cost the state - with his personal bodyguard, and staffers like Tringe and Casey. Who pays for all the hotel rooms (and what hotels did they stay in - I'll bet it wasn't the Red Roof Inn), the meals, the flights, etc.

And most important, is it necessary?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:37 AM, February 25, 2009

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:12 AM, February 25, 2009

gET OVER IT!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:36 PM, February 26, 2009

1) Roads and bridges look like a scene from LA during an earthquake.

What has the Legislature done?

2) Business leaving Vermont in favor for a friendlier environment elsewhere. (I thought Republicans were pro-business)

Blame this on the Democratic anti-business legislature.

3) What happened to the property tax issue? Perhaps if Vermonters were not so heavily taxed, they would spend more money that would actually help spur the economy.

Are you for real? Blame the legislature for your high taxes, not the Governor?

4) A rogue majority in the legislature.

Wha?

5) Education costs are through the roof.

Again, are you for real? This is the fault of the NEA and their friends in the legislature, which refuses to cap or reform school funding.

6) What ever happened to Republicans in the legislature, anyways? Lost breed I suppose.

What ever happened to people who had even a remote clue as to what they were talking about?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:02 PM, February 27, 2009

The Democrats hold the purse strings - it up to them. They need to be held accountable.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:10 AM, February 28, 2009