WASHINGTON — Gov. Linda Lingle had her first face-to-face contacts with Hawai'i-born President Barack Obama as the nation's governors visited the White House.

The Republican governor's decision to not attend a meeting with Obama in late November created a bit of a stir in Hawai'i when some Democrats portrayed it as a snub. Lingle protests that characterization.

Lingle and other governors in town for the three-day winter session of the National Governors Association were at the White House at the end of their meetings yesterday and also Sunday night for dinner.

Lingle described her conversations with Obama as brief, but she said they went very well.

Lingle said the president asked her to "tell everybody at home hello."

The two had some informal pictures taken after the White House dinner, courtesy of Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho.

They also talked briefly yesterday when Obama told the governors he would begin distributing $15 billion to the states within two days to help them with Medicaid payments to provide healthcare for the poor.

"He came by to shake hands and say I'll see you at home," Lingle said. "That was very gracious to say to someone who had campaigned against him."

Lingle campaigned in several states for Republican nominees Sen. John McCain of Arizona and fellow GOP Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

Forty-eight governors met with Obama in Philadelphia in early December. Some Hawai'i Democrats were critical of Lingle's decision not to attend.

She said back then that her actions were not intended to be disrespectful and she was busy dealing with state economic issues.

Lingle said that most of the focus at the National Governor's Association winter meetings has been on the $787 billion economic stimulus package that Obama signed into law.

She said the bill will help address an anticipated $650 million shortfall in Hawai'i's state budget over the next two years.

"I think we will have to continue to restrict some spending, curtail to some degree some programs. It's important to accept that this is not a situation that will go away in a couple of months," Lingle said. "We've faced tough times before. We've gotten through them, but they haven't happened this quickly. That's what makes this situation so unique."

Lingle said she didn't have any particular criticism of the stimulus bill and was still trying to learn how the legislation will affect the state.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has projected that the state will get about $678 million for highways, education, social services, housing and the environment.