[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Secretary of State Richie Should Resign

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Secretary of State Richie Should Resign
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1195956574.shtml


   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
   ([1]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.

References

   1. http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2005/08/most-partisan-secretary-of-state-joan_31.html