[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday November 8, 2006 at 7:23am]
Caught in the Maelstrom
Of all the losses we suffered last night, the most undeserved was that of Mary Kiffmeyer, our Secretary of State. It really calls into question whether voters should even be trusted with such decisions. All the fine work she and her predecessor Joan Growe did is now at risk. Increases in voter fraud are now almost certain to happen under winner Mark Richie.
Another casualty was State Auditor Pat Anderson. No doubt public pension fund trustees, Education Minnesota, and The League of Minnesota Cities can rest a little easier with Rebecca Otto in charge. Last I saw, she couldn't even read a spreadsheet, let alone prepare one.
It's too soon to say how the Attorney General's office will fare under Lori Swanson. Maybe she can do a good job and make at least some of the needed reforms identified by challenger Jeff Johnson now that Mike Hatch's political career is finally over.
Taken together, though, maybe it's time to consider a Constitutional Amendment to make these jobs appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The job of Auditor probably should just be incorporated within the Department of Finance, much as we did the old Treasurer position.
Another casualty was State Auditor Pat Anderson. No doubt public pension fund trustees, Education Minnesota, and The League of Minnesota Cities can rest a little easier with Rebecca Otto in charge. Last I saw, she couldn't even read a spreadsheet, let alone prepare one.
It's too soon to say how the Attorney General's office will fare under Lori Swanson. Maybe she can do a good job and make at least some of the needed reforms identified by challenger Jeff Johnson now that Mike Hatch's political career is finally over.
Taken together, though, maybe it's time to consider a Constitutional Amendment to make these jobs appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The job of Auditor probably should just be incorporated within the Department of Finance, much as we did the old Treasurer position.
I think the SoS position should be appointed or a non-partisan race. We should not have a race to see who will oversee elections tainted by endorsements by the GOP or DFL. The other side will not feel safe. Pehaps the same system as with the judges: appointed and the re-elected in non-partisan races.
The Auditor...this was, in my view, the biggest injustice yesterday. I think the case is easy to make that Anderson did a great job...better than the other 3 (Gov, A.G., SoS). I lean towards keeping this race as it is...but I am not firm on that position and would love to hear arguements either way.
There is nothing advantageous of a non-partisan race. Mark Ritchie would not perform any differently elected as a Democrat in a non-partisan race then he will elected with a (D) next to his name. If you are concerned about voters electing someone who's role includes overseeing the same voting process, appointment is the best alternative.
No doubt you've noticed that we also already have non-partisan judicial elections.