We're days away from learning the names of the Race to the Top finalists. Most governors will be thrilled if they make it through the first round. But what about Charlie Crist of Florida and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana? [quote]
As this perceptive Atlantic article points out, GOP governors are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to accepting stimulus funds (or not). Crist, of course, is in a tight primary race with Tea Party hero Marco Rubio, who has attacked him for praising the stimulus. Jindal, on the other hand, is trying to court the Tea Party types by turning down parts of stimulus funding.
So if Florida and Louisiana make it through to the champions' round (as most pundits expect), how will these governors react? Will Crist celebrate bringing home the bacon, or be forced to tread lightly? Will Jindal fly to Washington to help make the pitch for the Bayou State, even though he's "against" the stimulus?
You know what they say, sometimes it's possible to lose by winning.
Update: The Gradebook at the St. Pete Times weighs in (and with a great headline too).
-Mike Petrilli
