Only two of the nation’s governors have gone on the record to support Bush’s suggestion that the Pentagon manage future natural disaster responses: Willard, and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. "A fair question to ask is, ‘If the federal government is paying the bill, should not it also be in command?’" Willard said, according to USA Today. All of the other 36 governors that responded to the paper’s request for comment were not willing to cede control of relief operations. "Whether a governor is a Republican or Democrat, I would expect the response would be, ‘Hell no,’ " said Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat. "I would never abdicate, nor would I expect any other governor to abdicate, the responsibility to protect the people of my state," said Democratic West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. The 1878 Posse Comitatus law forbids using the military in a domestic civilian law enforcement capacity. Maybe it’s all just becoming a bit too much for the boy from Belmont, or maybe Willard, in the light of his Bible-thumping anti-marriage addresses of late, really isn’t as interested in personal liberty as he says he is.
