Lawmakers in Missouri are once again playing politics with the ballot box. As first exhibited in 2004, legislators are hoping a hot topic on the ballot will drive their favorite constituencies out to the polls to vote not just on the issue, but (they hope) their candidates as well.
We first saw this during that crazy summer and fall three years ago. The loaded August primary ballot not only saw the sitting governor challenged within his own party, but the Rockaway Beach gambling issue AND the same sex marriage amendment. Republicans had hoped to have the marriage amendment on the November ballot to help their cause, but Democratic Governor Bob Holden, in one of the only politically savvy moves he ever made, trumped then-Secretary of State Matt Blunt and got the backing of the state Supreme Court to get the issue on the August ballot.
Now Missouri voters will be asked to make English the official language of the state. The same day we choose our next president and governor in what are sure to be hotly contested races, we'll also face an issue that's sure to evoke plenty of rhetoric, debate and political spending. Is it a debate worth having? Any issue is worth talking about. On its surface, sending this issue to voters is a sure fire way to rev up certain constituencies on both sides of the issue on Election Day.
The transparency of this tactic can be seen in how it got to the ballot last week: Senate Republicans used the rare "PQ" to shut off debate and take a vote. Moving the previous question had only been used in the Senate a handful of times over the last few decades: concealed weapons, voter ID, MOHELA -- big priority items that in some cases had been debated for years. Adding the English language amendment to this very short list signals where the issue stands for Republicans.
EDIT: Paul Seale is correct about the game working both ways. I declined to include the minimum wage and stem-cell examples here because they were the result of initiative petition, not the work of lawmakers at the Capitol.
3 comments:
Hey Brad.
Interesting commentary and I think you are right on that parties and special interest groups indeed use voter intiatives to try to gain traction for their political party on the ballot.
I would respectfully point out that Republicans are not the only ones to do it. Less we remember last year's election when Democrat funded groups were able to get the Minimum wage issue on the ballot.
Both sides do it, so please frame the discussion in its proper background.
Thanks.
p.s. forgot about the Stem Cell iniative.
Democrat back groups put both the Stem Cell and Minimum Wage issues on last year's ballot to garner support in the 2006 election effort.
Again, simply wanting to point out that both sides play this game, not just Republicans.
Thanks.
Our own local politicos did the same thing .... remember alcohol in the park? and beer at the golf course?
In my idealistic state of mind I used to believe it was letting the voice of the people be heard. Now, as I get older and more cynical, it is all about power.
And money.
Post a Comment