Don’t be surprised if the latest scandal in Illinois state politics has a ripple effect in Kansas in the form of discussion of whether to strip the governor of her authority to fill vacancies of statewide offices and Kansas’ seats in the U.S. Senate. The past two legislative sessions have seen talk of taking away that power from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, first because of Sen. Sam Brownback’s ill-fated presidential run and later because of then-Attorney General Paul Morrison’s resignation. In addition to the Illinois mess, in which the governor allegedly tried to sell a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, Kansas change advocates can now cite Sebelius’ appointment of two Democrats to statewide offices over the past year – Attorney General Steve Six and incoming state Treasurer Dennis McKinney (replacing Rep.-elect Lynn Jenkins). But as we’ve observed before, Kansas Republicans surely wouldn’t see a problem in such gubernatorial power if they’d been able to elect a governor this decade. By the way, when any of Kansas’ seats in the U.S. House become vacant, state law calls for the governor to call a special election.
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18 Comments
I like the idea of voting.
Special elections.
If the time frame is short (needs to be filled immediately), perhaps let the legislature vote on the replacement.
Yes, the later is likely to result in whatever political party holds the reigns of the legislature. But at least the process is OPEN and PUBLIC for all of us to see, rather than behind the closed doors of the governors mansion.
Democracy at it’s best is ugly.
Heres an idea. Lets repeal the constitutional amendment that led to direct election of Senators and go back to what the founders envisioned. A people’s House of Representatives elected by the people to look after their interests and a Senate appointed by the State Legislators to look after the States interests.
If the offices are elected, there is no reason a special election cannot be held to replace them.
There should be a debate forum allowed on the public TV channel with questions from the press/public and limited answer time (no snoozing or political games.)
No campaign funds would be allowed during the special election, just a straight public forum and a public decision.
These are the state’s positions to be filled, not the Governor’s personal choice of cronies.
Nobody turns out to special elections. I don’t think we should have to pay the price for Chicago’s issues. Leave it alone. What we have now is fine.
Just remember cons, most of the time its your governors who get to do the picking in Kansas.
“there is no reason a special election cannot be held to replace them.”
Although I agree, – there are special emergency circumstances where it may be more economical for the legislature to fill a seat.
Here is an example of what happens when a Congressional member dies suddenly and unexpectedly – just four months before her term is up. Do you spend money for a special election in this case?
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/special_election_set_to_fill_t.html
http://www.myfoxwausau.com/myfox/pages/News/Politics/Detail?contentId=7302544&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.14.1
Who is Senator Obama’s interm replacement?
Man Special elections can cost big time. I think they should be used on a case by case basis.
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DavosRancheros
Posted December 11, 2008 at 8:52 am | Permalink
Man Special elections can cost big time. I think they should be used on a case by case basis.
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Maybe, but governor appointees thwart the will of the people.
Regular
Posted December 11, 2008 at 8:58 am | Permalink
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DavosRancheros
Posted December 11, 2008 at 8:52 am | Permalink
Man Special elections can cost big time. I think they should be used on a case by case basis.
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Maybe, but governor appointees thwart the will of the people.
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Appears the gov is elected by the people to make those choices.
“Appears the gov is elected by the people to make those choices.”
Not intentionally. We elect our representatives in government.
The governor can act only in an accident.
I agree that is not right.
“Appears the gov is elected by the people to make those choices.”
I agree. Sometimes you wins, sometimes you loses.
Isn’t the gov appointed by the people?
I see no reason for Kansas to change anything just because another state has a problem. Don’t we have enough challenges? Seems our legislature is always good at making busy work and usually poor at solutions to real problems.
We’re talkin Repubs here.
They’ll be all for stripping Sebelius of the power, and then all for re-instating that power once they get say, brownback in the mansion.
I’d even wager that you won’t hear many repubs agitating for a Unitary Presidency, or line item veto power for the president for at least 4 and maybe 8 more years.
“or line item veto power for the president for at least 4 and maybe 8 more years.”
I used to be a republican, and I’m all for Obama having a line item veto (although off the wall, I mean subject here).
Everything involves money. Let’s let him cut as many lines as he wants!!!! (and that’s not a sly reference to Obama’s cocaine days)
For sale on ebay: One each governership of the great state of Kansas. Bidders must believe in intelligent design and must not have had an abortion in the past five years. A minimum bid of $12,000,000 is in effect. Any questions should be addressed to JMWalker@weblog.com. PayPal is the payment of choice.
American_Way
Posted December 11, 2008 at 8:31 am | Permalink
Who is Senator Obama’s interm replacement?
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(O, this is too much fun)
William Charles Ayers!