[Speed Gibson,
Saturday November 24, 2007 at 8:09pm]
Secretary of State Richie Should Resign
I've seen enough. Secretary of State Mark Richie, elected 2006, should resign. His tolerance for voter fraud and demonstrated foolishness in promoting instant runoff voting should be reason enough to make a change, but this is what elections are for. If he goes too far, materially supporting voter fraud for example, the legislature and the courts can intervene.
He gave State information to his political campaign, which he did deliberately and personally by his own admission. The legislature may indeed investigate. The courts might have to decide if Richie did indeed violate the State's data privacy and/or other laws. Richie should spare us this and resign now. There was simply no excuse for this, which even without the cover-up rises to the level of scandal.
During his campaign, Mark Ritchie charged that the incumbent Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer had favored her fellow Republicans during her tenure. He promised to end this as our new Secretary of State, to make the office completely non-partisan.
Partisanship is in the eye of the party out of power. Republicans (MDE included) grumbled about Joan Growe who served from 1975 to 1998. Democrats (like Richie) grumbled about Mary Kiffmeyer, who served from 1999 to 2006.
Regardless, in less than one year in office, Richie has committed an overt act of partisanship, what they call an unforced error in sports. He did exactly what he said he would not do, what he said should preclude Kiffmeyer from re-election.
I use far too many cliches as it is, but nothing summarizes the current situation better than "hoisted by his own petard." By his own pronouncements, Richie should resign.
He gave State information to his political campaign, which he did deliberately and personally by his own admission. The legislature may indeed investigate. The courts might have to decide if Richie did indeed violate the State's data privacy and/or other laws. Richie should spare us this and resign now. There was simply no excuse for this, which even without the cover-up rises to the level of scandal.
During his campaign, Mark Ritchie charged that the incumbent Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer had favored her fellow Republicans during her tenure. He promised to end this as our new Secretary of State, to make the office completely non-partisan.
Partisanship is in the eye of the party out of power. Republicans (MDE included) grumbled about Joan Growe who served from 1975 to 1998. Democrats (like Richie) grumbled about Mary Kiffmeyer, who served from 1999 to 2006.
Regardless, in less than one year in office, Richie has committed an overt act of partisanship, what they call an unforced error in sports. He did exactly what he said he would not do, what he said should preclude Kiffmeyer from re-election.
I use far too many cliches as it is, but nothing summarizes the current situation better than "hoisted by his own petard." By his own pronouncements, Richie should resign.