An editorial in the Cap Times today highlights how Governor Doyle can step above petty politics and act in ways that can be contrary to his own political ambition and partisanship, and defer to others of differing viewpoints.
While Paradise may not have been the ideal SEB candidate (and is to that end far from ideal), it is well within Rep. Gard's right to choose his nominee and have him seated. Kudos to Gov. Doyle for being a uniter and not a divider.
Give Gov. Jim Doyle some credit - indeed, give him high marks - for quickly naming Madison attorney Greg Paradise to the state Elections Board.
Paradise was designated to serve on the board by Assembly Speaker John Gard, R-Peshtigo, after a Republican member of the board stepped down.
The member of the board who quit, Patrick Hodan, had recused himself from matters involving the campaign of Republican Mark Green, who is challenging Doyle. Hodan's departure created an opening for Republicans to select a new member who it has been presumed might put principles and public duties aside and simply use the position to protect Green, who has been sanctioned for collecting close to $500,000 in illegal campaign contributions.
In some circles, including Doyle's own campaign, there has been an assumption that Paradise would do the dirty work. We have argued that Paradise deserves the benefit of the doubt. And Doyle has given just that to the Republican designee.
The governor could have stalled action on the designation, which he needed to approve before Paradise could begin to serve. Such a delay would, almost certainly, have benefited the Doyle campaign.
Instead, the governor did his duty and immediately named Paradise to the position.
Doyle chose not to act as a partisan. And, in so doing, he distinguished himself as an official who recognizes the basics of governing.
While Paradise may not have been the ideal SEB candidate (and is to that end far from ideal), it is well within Rep. Gard's right to choose his nominee and have him seated. Kudos to Gov. Doyle for being a uniter and not a divider.
2 Comments:
You mean "Kudos for Doyle" right?
Whoops! Thanks for pointing that out.
Post a Comment
<< Home