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Governors Arrive in DC for Meeting 02/19 06:17
Stitt and Moore are the leaders of the National Governors Association, one
of a vanishing few bipartisan institutions left in American politics. But it
may be hard for the organization, which is holding its annual conference this
week, to maintain its reputation as a refuge from polarization.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In another era, the scene would have been unremarkable.
But in President Donald Trump's Washington, it's become increasingly rare.
Sitting side by side on stage were Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican,
and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat. They traded jokes and compliments
instead of insults and accusations, a brief interlude of cordiality in a
cacophony of conflict.
Stitt and Moore are the leaders of the National Governors Association, one
of a vanishing few bipartisan institutions left in American politics. But it
may be hard for the organization, which is holding its annual conference this
week, to maintain its reputation as a refuge from polarization.
Trump has broken with custom by declining to invite all governors to the
traditional White House meeting and dinner. He has called Stitt, the NGA's
chair, a "RINO," short for Republican in name only, and continued to feud with
Moore, the group's vice chair, by blaming him for a sewage spill involving a
federally regulated pipeline.
The break with tradition reflects Trump's broader approach to his second
term. He has taken a confrontational stance toward some states, withholding
federal funds or deploying troops over the objections of local officials.
With the Republican-controlled Congress unwilling to limit Trump's
ambitions, several governors have increasingly cast themselves as a
counterweight to the White House.
"Presidents aren't supposed to do this stuff," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said
about the expansion of executive power in recent administrations. "Congress
needs to get their act together. And stop performing for TikTok and actually
start doing stuff. That's the flaw we're dealing with right now."
Cox, a Republican, said "it is up to the states to hold the line."
Moore echoed that sentiment in an interview with The Associated Press.
"People are paying attention to how governors are moving, because I think
governors have a unique way to move in this moment that other people just
don't," he said.
Still, governors struck an optimistic tone in panels and interviews
Wednesday. Stitt said the conference is "bigger than one dinner at the White
House." Moore predicted "this is going to be a very productive three days for
the governors."
"Here's a Republican and Democrat governor from different states that
literally agree on probably 80% of the things. And the things we disagree on we
can have honest conversations on," Stitt said while sitting beside Moore.
Tensions over the guest list for White House events underscored the
uncertainty surrounding the week. During the back-and-forth, Trump feuded with
Stitt and said Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were not invited because
they "are not worthy of being there."
Whether the bipartisan tone struck Wednesday evening can endure through the
week -- and beyond -- remains an open question.
"We can have disagreements. In business, I always want people around me
arguing with me and pushing me because that's where the best ideas come from,"
said Stitt. "We need to all have these exchange of ideas."
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