Pence sees cover-up in Gov.'s pardons, won't resign.
Lt. Governor, Steve Pence, who has endorsed the ticket of Northup/Hoover over Gov. Fletcher, has told Ryan Alessi of H-L in an exclusive interview, that he thought Fletcher decided to issue blanket pardons on Aug. 29, 2005, to keep the probe from incriminating anyone in the governor's office. Pence is "... quite confident that there was a fear about how high it would go up in this administration," and blamed COS Stan Cave for the pardons and cave-in to Stumbo. This prompted Stan Cave to retort: "The description of events is pure fantasy from a scorned self-described former wingman." Pence also questioned the deal between Fletcher and Stumbo -- that "didn't smell right", according to the former Personnel Cabinet Secretary, Erwin Roberts -- and the Gov.'s abdication of some of his powers (with respect to the Personnel Board appointments) to Stumbo as a result of the deal. Pence made it clear he was NOT going to resign his post, as "the people elected me to a four-year term." Read the rest of the story here and make up your mind.
Labels: Kentucky politics, Merit System, Public Service, Republicanism
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 9:45 AM
10 Comments:
Here's as an update.
On Northup needs to say more, read it here from this blog.
Osi: In the Agreed Order dismissing the charges,with prejudice, the parties(the Governor and AG)recognized that " the Attorney General's investigation and prosecution of this matter were necessary and proper exercises of his constitutional duty" and that the "investigation and prosecution have benefited the Commonwealth and ensured that abuses of the state's merit system will be eliminated." In the August 24,2006 Agreed Order, Ernie Fletcher acknowledged "that the evidence strongly indicates wrongdoing by the administration with regard to personnel actions within the merit system."
Pence has no responsibilities and no staff. He is effectively campaining on the taxpayer's nickel. He should be receiving a salary from Northup.
Osi: Why should Steve Pence Resign?
Pence did not issue blanket pardons. Pence did not take the Fifth.Pence was not indicted. Steve Pence has just tried to do the job that he was elected to do and live up to the promises Fletcher/Pence made to clean up the mess in Frankfort and the corruption of 40 years of the Democrat's corrupt "good old boy" system!
Some more reading and more reading.
Kentuckysteele: Do you have any info to back up your claim that Steve Pence "is effectively campaining (sic) on the taxpayer's nickel"? If so, would you mind sharing with the rest of us?!
Steve, I was NOT implying that Steve Pence should resign, just reporting the news. That decision is Steve's to make. His opponents insist that he should "bail" if he feels that STRONGLY about what he has accused the Gov. of doing. His supporters say he has done nothing WRONG and that if anyone should resign, it should be the Gov. . Meanwhile, Steve (the ONLY one that has the power to make a decision) makes it CLEAR that he is fulfilling the voters' 4 year mandate, and I believe it is his choice to make -- constitutionally. To those who say that the Lt. Governor does NOTHING (whether or not the allegation is true or unfounded) ought to think about removing the office through a constitutional amendment, -- but NOT by taking their (political) frustrations out on the current occupant of the office!
Valid points Osi! You know things are crazy when Julian Carroll is sounding like Fletcher's communications director or campaign manager.
I do not understand why he is interested in the UNFORTUNATE Republican intra party squabble, unless perhaps, he thinks his Democratic Party (or whoever his Democratic candidate of choice is) will gain politically from the stance he has taken!
Our fellow Conservative blogger KYPAC 11, who won't disclose their identity, has a post suggesting that not many people considered the Lt. Governor position before voting for the 2003 ticket. Read it here. Neutrality, impartiality and fair play demand that we have CREDIBLE info. or source to support the claim so as NOT to have the claim NOT only be UNSUPPORTED but SELF-SERVING. I have, therefore, suggested to them (or him or her) over there to supply me with data -- or even anecdotal evidence -- and logical conclusions drawn thereof so I can post the same on my blog and let the world know. So I wait for a response.
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