Bredesen Hedges

Tennessee's red-state Governor, who has joined a gaggle of Republican Governors resistant to taking funds for their citizens' unemployment benefits, attempted to manage expectations and blunt criticism at The Hill:

In a statement to The Hill, Bredesen downplayed the possibility of refusing some money, while talking up the rest of the stimulus.

"I am very supportive of the stimulus package, as it will create jobs and lessen the impacts that proposed budget cuts would have created," Bredesen said. "We are looking at a very minor provision in the stimulus package that could obligate Tennessee to fund a permanent increase in unemployment benefits after the stimulus money runs out in two years.

I do not care how small the unemployment portion is. Denying funds that would help jobless Tennesseans is heartless and despicable.