Super Bowl Governors

We have not seen it mentioned on any sports or news programs, but we think it is significant that both of the teams in today's Super Bowl are from states with Republican Governors.

We offer our congratulations to Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana and Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisana.

Of course, Daniels made Maryland the butt of budget jokes in January. When Governor Martin O'Malley started trash talking that the Indiana Governor was "scared" to make a bet, Daniels adroitly responded that "We're not betting money because I don't think Maryland's check would clear." Daniels obvious reference to O'Malley's budget mismanagement and over $2 billion dollar deficit made headlines with sports junkies for several days.

Once the Baltimore Ravens lost, the Indiana media had a field day about how O'Malley "welshed" out on the bet. Critics used a variety of uncomplimentary terms for O'Malley who "weaseled out" and "reneged" by refusing to fly the Indianapolis flag sent by Daniels to the State House (for an example of the media attacks click here).

Daniels and Jindal have made the same bet for flag-flying by the Governor of the losing team. Although reneged on once, Daniels is confident that Jindal is an honorable person and will not welsh out: "I know Governor Jindal is a stand-up guy and he'll fly the Indianapolis Colts flag we send him when the Colts win this weekend," said Daniels. (for a photograph of the flag that Daniels sent to O'Malley, click here)

Governor Jindal could also provide O'Malley with budget pointers. Instead of expanding government spending through massive budget hikes which is the cornerstone of O'Malley budget policy, Jindal has refused to enact tax increases.

A recent Washington Post article points to Jindal's anti-tax stance as boosting his favorable rating with Louisiana citizens in spite of the economic recession. According to Jindal, "By making the decision we're not going to raise taxes on our people, I think that it has forced our agencies to be much more creative, to be more efficient, to look at more opportunities to outsource, to have to set priorities."  (for the entire article, click here)

We wish our GOP colleagues, Mitch Daniels and Bobby Jindal, the best of success in today's showdown (unfortunately one of their teams has to lose). And if either Governor happens to be in Maryland in the coming months, please give us a shout so that we can arrange for you to give a budget tutorial to the Governor of Maryland.