It was supposed to be a show of unity.

Governor Carcieri officially accepted federal stimulus money this week with General Assembly leaders at his side. At least most of them.

The top Democrats -- including the House Speaker, Senate president, House Majority Leader, and the chairmen of the House and Senate finance committees -- were positioned next to Carcieri as he spoke to the media.

But the top Republicans were no where to be seen.

Neither House Majority Leader Robert A. Watson or Senate Majority Leader Dennis L. Algiere attended, although both had reserved seats at the head of the room bearing their names.

The governor's staff moved Algiere's seat to the side of the room just as the ceremony began. He later reported that he was "dealing with a death in my immediate family."

Watson's seat, however, sat empty in plain sight for the entire event. Later, he told us that he was unavailable because he was in court.

It's worth noting that all but three Congressional Republicans voted against the stimulus package.