Posted on 07/25/2002 4:59:44 AM PDT by a-whole-nother-box-of-pandoras
Rockefeller Savors Chance For Last Laugh
By Doug Thompson
Arkansas News Bureau
FAYETTEVILLE — Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller will draw a great deal of personal satisfaction if he and three other Republican candidates for state constitutional office are elected in November, because their election would restore a privilege taken away from his father in 1969, Rockefeller said Wednesday.
The "majority party," as defined in state law, picks two out of every three county election commissioners. The current definition of "majority party" is the party that holds at least four of the seven statewide constitutional offices.
"Through 1968, the party of the governor was the majority party in Arkansas," Rockefeller said. Rockefeller was speaking at a lunch meeting of the Washington County Republican women at the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville. He is opposed by Democrat Ron Sheffield.
"Then a 'terrible travesty' happened: A Republican was elected governor," Rockefeller said in mock horror, drawing laughs. That governor was Winthrop Rockefeller, the lieutenant governor's father. The Democratic state Legislature redefined "majority party" in the legislative session which began in January, 1969, two months after the election. There were not enough Republicans in the Legislature then to prevent a veto override, Rockefeller told the audience.
"I can't wait to see what happens when we elect four of the constitutional officers," Rockefeller said. "We're going to do it. This is the best slate of statewide candidates we've ever had."
Rockefeller presides over the state Senate as lieutenant governor. "I'm going to be sitting in the well of the Senate chamber, waiting to see what shenanigans they try to pull," Rockefeller said.
Asked later by reporters what he would do if Democratic lawmakers tried to change the laws again, Rockefeller replied: "You'll be on the top of my call list. People need to stand up and I will call on the integrity of the media to help prevent such a travesty."
The Legislature has the right to change laws, but the law should not be changed whenever it is politically expedient to do so, Rockefeller said.
"That's a hypothetical scenario on top of another hypothetical scenario, based on something that is not going to happen," said Michael Cook, executive director of the state Democratic Party, when asked if the party would support a change in the law if the Republicans won four constitutional seats.
"Let me make this perfectly clear: The Republicans are not going to win the majority of the constitutional offices. Janet Huckabee (the GOP's nominee for secretary of state) is seven points down in the polls and she's better known than Charlie," Democratic nominee Charlie Daniels. "As for the other Republican candidates, you can't even name them off the top of your head."
Asked again what Democrats would do if the Republicans became the majority party, Cook said: "Whatever the law is, we'll follow it. It can be changed, but I don't see that happening."
Nelson Rockefeller had the best last laugh of all.
I don't even live in the state and I too prefer Charlie Daniels (The Devil Went Down To Georgia) to Ms. Huckabee. If the pubbies had their act together, they'd invite the real Mr. Daniels to a barbeque and find out who he prefers.
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