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Lingle will miss Obama meeting

The governor blames it on a scheduling conflict and says they will meet later

By Richard Borreca

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 27, 2008

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Gov. Linda Lingle will not be among governors meeting with president-elect Barack Obama in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Obama invited all 50 governors to the meeting to discuss how the economic crisis is hurting state budgets.

Both Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will talk with governors about "the unique challenges facing our states," according to Nick Shapiro, a spokesman for the Obama transition team.

A spokesman for Lingle said that Lingle was told about the meeting Tuesday and found it difficult to arrange her schedule in order to attend.

"It just came up," said Lenny Klompus, Lingle's senior adviser for communications.

Klompus said the National Governors Association said 39 governors would attend as of late yesterday. The Associated Press and other new agencies reported that 40 governors would go.

Andy Winer, Hawaii coordinator for the Obama campaign, said Lingle's decision not to attend "is surprising."

"It doesn't make a lot of sense. She seems to be ignoring the event, especially in these tough economic times," Winer said.

Klompus had said that Obama plans to make accommodations for the handful of governors who will not attend; he can have a conference call or a discussion later.

Lingle is expected to attend the annual winter meeting of the governors association next year, which historically features a meeting and dinner with the president and the 50 governors.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice presidential nominee, will attend the meeting, according to her office in Alaska.

Winer said Lingle also should have tried to make the meeting.

"She was able to take time out to campaign for Palin. Now she seems to be ignoring this meeting when others have been able to prioritize their schedules," Winer said.

Gov. Linda Lingle will not be among governors meeting with president-elect Barack Obama in Philadelphia on Tuesday.


Obama invited all 50 governors to the meeting to discuss how the economic crisis is hurting state budgets.

Both Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will talk with governors about "the unique challenges facing our states," according to Nick Shapiro, a spokesman for the Obama transition team.

A spokesman for Lingle said that Lingle was told about the meeting Tuesday and found it difficult to arrange her schedule in order to attend.

"It just came up," said Lenny Klompus, Lingle's senior adviser for communications.

Klompus said the National Governors Association said 39 governors would attend as of late yesterday. The Associated Press and other new agencies reported that 40 governors would go.

Andy Winer, Hawaii coordinator for the Obama campaign, said Lingle's decision not to attend "is surprising."

"It doesn't make a lot of sense. She seems to be ignoring the event, especially in these tough economic times," Winer said.

Klompus had said that Obama plans to make accommodations for the handful of governors who will not attend; he can have a conference call or a discussion later.

Lingle is expected to attend the annual winter meeting of the governors association next year, which historically features a meeting and dinner with the president and the 50 governors.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice presidential nominee, will attend the meeting, according to her office in Alaska.

Winer said Lingle also should have tried to make the meeting.

"She was able to take time out to campaign for Palin. Now she seems to be ignoring this meeting when others have been able to prioritize their schedules," Winer said.

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