Thomas Daschle: “I think the Senator from New Jersey asked the question that makes the point. The answer is absolutely no. Our Governors…”

“I think the Senator from New Jersey asked the question that makes the point. The answer is absolutely no. Our Governors, of course, are hearing from the same people we are hearing from. They are concerned about the status quo. Someone once told me the status quo was Latin for the ``mess word.'' Their concern for the ``mess word'' and this mess continues to be compounded by a budget deficit that grows by the month. We are told now that we could exceed $70 billion. Some have suggested that the figure could be as high as $100 billion in debt. They are struggling with their own budgets in part because of the mess we created for them in Medicaid, in education, in homeland defense, unfunded mandates, and the sagging economy, and no real economic plan in place. Their message in coming to Washington is: Fix it; help us address this issue and be a full partner recognizing that you, too, have a full responsibility to engage with us in solving this issue.”