An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

« Should Someone Who Teaches Human Rights Back Human Rights for LGBT People?

Honduras and the ‘Little Yankees’: Tal Cual, Venezuela »

Politics Beat

Posted by PATRICK EDABURN in At TMV, Politics.
Jul 8th, 2009 | Comments

A few interesting political tidbits came out today

In New York, Governor David Paterson has appointed a new Lt. Governor in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute in the State Senate. For those who may have missed some of this battle, the short version is that New York has no provision for replacing a vacancy in the office of Lt. Governor so when Paterson took over for Eliot Spitzer, the state had nobody in the post.

This became a problem when a Democrat in the State Senate jumped ship and left the body, which had been controlled by the GOP for many years, evenly divided. With nobody to break the tie, things have ground to a halt. Now Paterson is trying to claim that the NY Constitution gives him the power to name a Lt. Governor but that view is not accepted by fellow Democrat (and, to be fair, rival) State AG Andrew Cuomo.

Needless to say this is not likely to solve the problem any time soon as court battles are bound to ensue.

********************************************************************************************************

Meanwhile in Illinois, popular State AG Lisa Madigan has reportedly decided she will not run for the US Senate or Governor in 2010, much to the disappointment of her fellow Democrats (including President Obama) who had tried to get her to run for the Burris seat.

On the Republican side US Congressman Mark Kirk is running and he is considered a strong candidate, which could give the recently moribund GOP a shot at winning a statewide contest.

Also in the news, prosecutors have cut a deal with a former aide to ex Governor Soprano, which means they will likely testify at his trial either this or next year, something that Democrats do not want to see during an election campaign.

*******************************************************************************************************

In New Hampshire, State AG Kelly Ayotte (R) announced she will step down from that post in order to explore a possible 2010 Senate race. Most expect her to run and that is a real coup for the GOP who otherwise faced a probable loss of that seat, being vacated by Judd Gregg (R)

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

ThurmanHart

The New York Constitution is pretty clear. Article IV, Section 1 states: "The governor and lieutenant-governor shall be chosen at the general election held in the year nineteen hundred thirty-eight, and each fourth year thereafter. They shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote applicable to both offices, and the legislature by law shall provide for making such choice in such manner. "

Section 6 says: "In case of vacancy in the offices of both governor and lieutenant- governor, a governor and lieutenant-governor shall be elected for the remainder of the term at the next general election happening not less than three months after both offices shall have become vacant. No election of a lieutenant-governor shall be had in any event except at the time of electing a governor."
snip
"In case of vacancy in the office of lieutenant-governor alone, or if the lieutenant-governor shall be impeached, absent from the state or otherwise unable to discharge the duties of office, the temporary president of the senate shall perform all the duties of lieutenant- governor during such vacancy or inability."

So it's pretty clear - the temporary president of the senate should be acting lieutenant governor. There is nothing that gives the Govenor power to appoint anyone in the line of succession.

I understand Paterson's frustration. But this is going no where.

Andy Quinn

Kirk is wildly independent (only Republican in a 2008 national race to snag a Planned Parenthood endorsement, to cite just one example) and is the only GOPer with a decent shot statewide.

An interesting wrinkle: his recent vote for the controversial Cap-and-trade bill reinforced his very solid environmental credibility but also reminded some more conservative base-types how much they dislike that plank of Kirk's platform. A GOP candidate whose positions indicate he is willing to trade die-hard right wing votes for some ground in the center--combined with the corruption critic and active Naval reservist's personal charisma and approval--should make IL-SEN a fascinating race for any political junkie, regardless of one's personal preference in the race.

blog comments powered by Disqus