Hurting from budget woes and unfunded federal health and homeland security mandates, most of the nation's governors will meet with Bush on Sunday.

However, typical of Bush's inability to deal with criticism, he has dispensed with the traditional dialogue present in past meetings. Instead, the governors will be lectured by -- er, "hear presentations" from -- cabinet officials. And, while past meetings were open to the press, this one has been closed. Any guesses why?

Also interesting is the inability of many GOP governors to lay blame for economic and budget woes (including the aforementioned unfunded mandates) at the feet of the president. Led by CT's Rowland, CO's Owen and Jeb, there will be efforts to prevent the group's consensus statement from including any criticism of the prez.

Then again, many GOP governors are facing the unthinkable -- raising taxes. Those governors may feel a bit less charitable toward Bush.