Brewer: Arkansas Said, “we’re Not Taking Your Stinkin’ Money” (updated)

Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer was on KARN Newsradio this afternoon.  She is in Little Rock today to speak at the Republican Party of Arkansas annual Governor’s dinner.

My left-leaning colleague Michael Cook pointed out that unlike Arkansas Republicans, Brewer decided to accept a $30 million federal grant for planning for a state health care exchange.

Brewer addressed this today on KARN’s Dave Elswick show.  She stated that –  unlike Arkansas – Arizona has sued to challenge the constitutionality of ObamaCare and has brought this lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court.  She defended accepting the grant to plan for a state exchange saying this was in case their lawsuit was unsuccessful.

But, she said she can understand why Arkansas Republicans would use the grant funding especially since Gov. Beebe and the Attorney General have not joined in the lawsuit.

"Probably some of that is how Arkansas is fighting back saying, ‘We’re not taking your stinkin’ money’," said Brewer. (Audio coming later.)

She speaks tonight at 7:00 in Little Rock at the Statehouse Convention Center.

UPDATE – The Governor’s Dinner was one of the most well-attended dinners in recent memory with a crowd of about 500. Brewer focused primarily on the need to beat President Obama in 2012 because of his failed policies.  She compared his new jobs bill to a "ketchup popsicle" saying that the American people aren’t buying it.

One funny moment happened after RPA Chairman Doyle Webb surprised Brewer with a .44 magnum Henry rifle and she surprised him with a kiss on the lips. 

"Governor Huckabee never kissed me like that," joked Webb.