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How many state governor resignations have we had in the last few years? New York, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, Alaska- did I forget any? That's 5 out of 50 states right there, and arguably all of these people resigned in somewhat bizarre circumstances. So what's going on? Have the politics of the whole nation shifted in some unseen way so as to tip all of these people towards their fates whereas in days past, nothing would have happened? All but one has resigned in scandal, and Palin resigns in the midst of some ethics issues and family scandal of a different sort from the others, all men.
Or am I just imagining this, and happen to be too young to realize that things have always been this shifty and changeable in the political realm? Open question- I'm not going to be shocked if some of you tell me I'm not seeing the forest for the trees here. I don't exactly know what the forest used to look like.
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My governor, Bill Richardson, may be the only one recently forced not to resign due to scandal. I wonder which is worse.
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I think the populous is also getting increasingly fed up with politicians in general. America is turning into an angry mob, and rather than face the mob for their indiscretions, politicians are starting to resign.
edit: Of course, it could also be due to the age of blogging. I mean, a little bitty thing gets swept up into a giant hurricane of hate with shocking speed these days.
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quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: How many state governor resignations have we had in the last few years? New York, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, Alaska- did I forget any?
I take umbrage at that accusation! Our govenor did not resign. He was impeached and removed from office.
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It's also just not a good time for governors in general. They're getting the lion's share of the blame for poor state economies - Pollster and 538 have both been tracking dramatic drops in governor approval ratings all over the country. So far, the economy hasn't been enough to torpedo anyone's gubernatorial career all on its lonesome, but it has left voters with very little patience for personal foibles. Thus, scandal translates to instant backlash and, subsequently, quick resignation (or at the very least, public humiliation and instant lame duckitude).
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I think I'd have preferred it if G-Rod had resigned quietly rather than gone down in flames amid a huge fraud investigation. And then for his wife to go on that "reality" show (which for the record I never watched)?
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If we are counting "promotions," then Gov Huntsman here in Utah is also leaving soon, filling Obama's request to become lead Ambassador to China.
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Arnie was voted in to fix the financial situation of the State. The former gov. of California was fired by Californians and replaced by Arnie in hopes of this fix. Didn't happen. He seems to have turned out no better than the man he replaced. I don't fully blame Arnie because part of the problem in an entrenched liberal Democrat majority who continues passing anti-business and pro taxation laws. However, Arnie has turned into them.
Replacing Arnie isn't going to help. What is going to help is to fire all the current people in California government and vote in more Republicans. At the least an even split that makes it more difficult to pass legislation quickly and without thought.
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quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: I think I'd have preferred it if G-Rod had resigned quietly rather than gone down in flames amid a huge fraud investigation. And then for his wife to go on that "reality" show (which for the record I never watched)?
You, me, everyone else in Illinois except for Roland Burris.
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Blayne Bradley
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Hasn't Arnie been good for California in other ways?
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quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: I think I'd have preferred it if G-Rod had resigned quietly rather than gone down in flames amid a huge fraud investigation. And then for his wife to go on that "reality" show (which for the record I never watched)?
You, me, everyone else in Illinois except for Roland Burris.
Who doesn't deserve the job either... I still can't believe that man already has a mausoleum monument built and partially engraved.
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I assume that's just rhetorical, because I totally believe that he had a mausoleum in his own honor with the word: "trailblazer" inscribed on it. The dude is Roland Burris- it's like, a brand new archetype of stupid and narcissistic.
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quote:Originally posted by Occasional: Arnie was voted in to fix the financial situation of the State. The former gov. of California was fired by Californians and replaced by Arnie in hopes of this fix.
Um, what?
And the rest of your assessment is at least as far off the mark.
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quote:Originally posted by Occasional: Arnie was voted in to fix the financial situation of the State. The former gov. of California was fired by Californians and replaced by Arnie in hopes of this fix.
Um, what?
And the rest of your assessment is at least as far off the mark.
Actually, I was under the impression, though my memory isn't nearly perfect here, that Davis was recalled by Californians because of fiscal issues, and that Arnie was voted in, at least in part, for his fiscal policies.
I know that wasn't all, but wasn't that a huge issue?
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It was primarily fueled by the then-recent electricity crisis. Calling that a question of fiscal policy is rather missing the point.
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It was also done because Davis was just a bit of a tool- and some rich people decided to stage a recall.
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quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: I assume that's just rhetorical, because I totally believe that he had a mausoleum in his own honor with the word: "trailblazer" inscribed on it. The dude is Roland Burris- it's like, a brand new archetype of stupid and narcissistic.
Let me rephrase. I'm amazed at the audacity. I read that within a day or two of his appointment, he already had the marble cutters out adding a new line to his resume.
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quote:Originally posted by Occasional: Replacing Arnie isn't going to help. What is going to help is to fire all the current people in California government and vote in more Republicans.
So basically you're calling for the California state government to dissolve the electorate and make a better one? Because that's what it would take.
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I tend to suspect that this is nothing more than a statistical fluke and does not mean anything at all.
Of course being a state governor in bad economic times is no picnic. Declining tax revenues combined with the increased demand for social services and requirements to balance the budget put Governors between a rock and a hard place with no room to maneuver. I can see why many of them would be looking for a way out of the job.
That doesn't explain the scandals but it there a surprising number of governors have resigned to pursue other opportunities recently which adds to the overall trend.
[ July 06, 2009, 07:52 AM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
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