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Thursday, January 06, 2005
Arizona Governor's Gay Marriage Gamesmanship
Posted by Tim TagarisOne of the many subplots in the 2004 election was the placement of gay marriage amendments on ballots in states across the country, swing or otherwise. Arizona's 2006 races feature an incumbent Republican Senator (Rep. Jon Kyl) and Democratic Governor (Dem. Janet Napolitano) both facing re-election.
Naturally, Arizona Republicans are excited about the potential placement of a gay marriage amendment before the voters in 2006 as they attempt to unseat Governor Napolitano. After all, two months ago prominent Republican lawmakers and activists promised they would pursue such an amendment. Despite the fact that a state law already exists and has been ruled constitutional, Republicans want that amendment bad.
Fine. You want it that bad. Let's vote on the measure in 2005. So sayeth Governor Napolitano. From her Chief of Staff, Dennis Burke;
“You already have the law on the books, “Burke said. “You already had the courts speak on it. So the question to those guys is, ‘Why are you doing this.’ The governor is asking them, ‘If it’s so urgent, let’s do it in 2005.’”
Of course, Republican's are crying foul, claiming Napolitano is playing politics with the gay marriage issue.
Republicans have chastised Napolitano, saying the move is a political ploy to keep a gay marriage referendum off the ballot and keep more conservative voters away from the polls.
Hypocrisy, table of one.
From everything I have read, it takes the state legislature to call for a special election placing the constitutional amendment on Arizona's 2005 ballot. Unfortunately, Arizona's state house is overwhelmingly Republican so it is not clear if her plans will fly.
One thing is for sure. The move is a smart one and will force Republicans to put their cards on the table while at the same time dividing Republicans from some traditional Christian Convservative allies who would want the amendment as soon as possible.
Posted at 01:01 AM in 2006 Elections - State, Arizona | Technorati
Comments
A very interesting proposal on the governor's part. I really hate that my state (Ohio) went so heavily for this bigoted measure.
Paul
Bring Ohio Home
Posted by: Paul at January 6, 2005 09:59 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
So Napolitano is keeping the referendum off the ballot by putting it on the ballot a year earlier. umm, ok. Didnt Kyl have a term pledge to quit in 2006, or did he back away from it?
Posted by: T at January 6, 2005 02:31 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
We need more Democrats like Gov. Napolitano. It's good to know that a few still have spines.
Posted by: Jeff Hess at January 7, 2005 09:37 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment