Obama sends message to Southern governors

Mon, February 23, 2009 - 12:23 PM

Some Republican governors from the South were feeling some heat from President Barack Obama as he hosted many of the nation’s governors at the White House today.

During his speech, the president looked toward Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford, who fittingly were seated to his right.

The three governors have said they will reject portions of the stimulus money, largely because it would require changes in state law or additional investments in programs.

Obama complained that much of the complaints on "cable news" about the stimulus package were over small items and urged the governors to help make the money in the bill work for their people.

-- Amy Dominello