Posted on 03/04/2005 8:34:52 AM PST by BigSkyFreeper
HELENA - Gov. Brian Schweitzer made national headlines at the National Governors Association meeting this week when he publicly criticized President Bush's proposed Medicaid cuts and Social Security plan. However, one Republican lawmaker in Montana said Schweitzer was out of line.
The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that Schweitzer, a Democrat, used "harsh words" when answering reporters' questions at a press conference about the Republican president's proposed budget cuts and plans to privatize Social Security.
"Honey works a lot better than vinegar," said Senate Minority Leader, Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, who wrote the governor expressing his concerns. "The real Brian Schweitzer uses harsh words that don't serve a productive end."
Schweitzer denies using "harsh words." The governor said he was not critical of Bush, but was critical of the president's proposals as were many other governors attending the meeting in Washington, D.C.
Schweitzer arrived home late Wednesday and had not yet seen Keenan's letter.
Schweitzer referred to Bush's ideas for revamping Social Security as a magic trick, distracting states with Social Security while cutting programs that could affect Montana.
"The budget disproportionately is being cut on the backs of states like Montana," Schweitzer said in an interview Thursday. "(Bush) continues to talk about Social Security while he cuts agricultural programs, irrigation and Medicaid. I think this is a grand discussion about something that occurs 20 years from now, but so we can cut programs in the heartland right now. "
According to the Times article, Schweitzer compared the group of governors to livestock bidders at a bull auction who weren't buying the president's proposals.
Schweitzer referred to the Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, a former Utah governor, not as an ally but as a person who "rides a brand" by following the president's agenda. Schweitzer said he respects the secretary as former governor, but states can't depend on Leavitt to get up to bat for them.
Keenan said there could be consequences if the governor's remarks were ill received by officials at the federal level, he said. Programs such as Medicaid depend on both state and federal money.
"It's a partnership and you don't slap around your partner," said Keenan, the governor's leading critic.
I believe that this is what the article is referring to. He hasn't been on the job 2 months, and he's already opened a few doors on his face. I hope the trend keeps up, then maybe the rest of the voters of Montana will realize there isn't room in this state for some idiotic Liberal in the Governor's mansion in Helena.
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