President-elect Barack Obama met with the nation's governors Tuesday in Philadelphia, including Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Rell says Obama personally wished her luck in dealing with the state's economy and growing budget deficit. Connecticut is looking at a $338 million shortfall this year and more than $6 billion over the next two.

The governor sounded hopeful after the meeting in the states' goal to get economic aid as part of the bailout.

"I think it was a very successful meeting," she says. "I think more than anything else the governors appreciated the opportunity to have an open dialogue. I think the president-elect has already set his sights on a stimulus package ? what the governors asked for today was just to be a part of that."

Obama delivered a bipartisan message to the Republican governors in attendance, including Rell.

"I offer you the same hand of friendship and cooperation that I offer our Democratic governors," said Obama.