Most Republican Governors Back Billion Dollar Bailout: What's Palin Doing Lobbying For Federal Monies?

MSNBC reported most Republican governors backing the near-billion dollar bailout package.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is pressing for monies and even Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal -- who said he wouldn't have voted for the bailout -- admitted he would accept bailout dollars.

So far, the only apparent holdouts are Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford

"It's incumbent on me as one of the nation's governors to speak out against what I believe is ultimately incredibly harmful to the economy, to taxpayers and to the worth of the U.S. dollar," Sanford said in an interview. "This plan is a huge mistake and is going to prolong and deepen this recession."

Watch him take the money.

Barbour was less idealistic.

"Yes, we need some help and we appreciate the help," Barbour said in an interview. "But I don't know about the details and the strings attached to tell you if I'll take all of it or not."

The bipartisan National Governors Association recently called on Congress to quickly pass the plan.

"States are facing fiscal conditions not seen since the Great Depression — anticipated budget shortfalls are expected in excess of $200 billion," the NGA statement said. "Governors ... support several key elements of the bill critical to states-increased federal support for Medicaid and K-12 and higher education; investment in the nation's infrastructure; and tax provisions to spur investment."

One wonders how newly elected RNC chairman Michael Steele responds to governors with their fiscal hands out, especially with the Los Angeles Times reported that he is getting a friendly reception from all 22 Republican governors.

Palin's first measurable political mistake, with Jindal about to make as big a mistake, and many of the other GOP governors risking their fiscally conservatives credentials for 2012.