Dem. governors kiss the Trump ring

In one sure sign that Trump’s the guy to beat for president, governors — including prominent Democratic governors — are lining up inside and outside the White House to kiss the presidential ring.

Today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) arrived at the White House to talk about infrastructure projects.

“The time to do this work is now when you need the jobs and the volume is low and New York will lead the way. We are going to accelerate our big infrastructure programs,” Cuomo said Tuesday.

Cuomo was putting in his stake for New York’s share of the estimated $1.5 trillion in infrastructure spending that Trump has been touting as part of coronavirus relief.

Reported Reuters: “New York Governor Andrew Cuomo met President Donald Trump on Wednesday to press for investment in the nation’s roads, bridges and railways as U.S. states begin to reopen after the coronavirus outbreak left the economy in tatters.”

However, Cuomo may find that those hopes might be a little premature, especially for projects the states should be doing for themselves. A key component of the Trump infrastructure project is the reform of how projects are funded.

“The flexibility to use Federal dollars to pay for essentially local projects has created an unhealthy dynamic in which State and local governments delay projects in the hope of receiving Federal funds,” says the White House.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) met with Trump to talk about securing COVID supplies for Colorado from the Federal Government.  

“One of the reasons that an invitation from the president is always an invitation you can’t refuse is the opportunity to advance Colorado’s needs,” Polis said according to the Fox News affiliate in Colorado Springs.

The station also reported that, at the meeting, Polis credited President Trump with securing much-needed COVID-19 tests for Colorado.

These meetings with governors aren’t coincidental either.

According to Politico, by May 14, Trump had met with 20 percent of the nation’s governors.

“The meetings — which sometimes border on comedy despite the serious subject — have served as Trump’s workaround to his inability to hit the road and hold rallies and promote the economic reopening of America, which he believes will be key to his reelection in November,” says Politico.

Others are also touting Trump — or at least part of the Trump reopening plan that includes infrastructure — and some of the names might surprise people.

IMPACTnyc, a booster group dominated by NYC liberals, is running an ad on Google promoting Trump’s infrastructure proposal — or at least NYC’s share of the money.

Included in IMPACTnyc’s council of experts are: James Comey, former FBI director, fired by Trump and casus belli of the Mueller Russia investigation; MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace, a die-hard Never-Trumper; Andrew Yang, former Democrat presidential candidate; Sen. Kristin Gillibrand (D-NY); Liz Shulyer, Secretary of the AFL-CIO; and a host of others who no doubt hate Trump.  

When it comes to money and politics, opponents often become bedfellows, out of necessity, as was demonstrated by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in an April meeting with Trump at the White House.

New Jersey has been the second hardest hit by coronavirus after New York state.

“We couldn’t be making the progress we’re making without you and your administration,” Murphy told Trump, anxious to show his constituents he’s working hard to secure help from the Federal Government. “We thank you for everything.”

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