Governor Heineman Sits Out

By: Mr. Wilson on September 2, 2008
Is Governor Heineman chicken for refusing to take a stand on the Affirmative Action ban that will appear on November's ballot? Chicken or not, is his silence wise? I'm really surprised that ban opponents -- not to mention the state Democratic party -- haven't made a bigger deal out of Heineman's hush hush attitude. It seems like a missed opportunity to get in a few easy jabs. Maybe everybody is too distracted by the national party conventions right now.

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foxspit
September 2, 2008 at 2:26PM

I am extremely disappointed that the governor didn’t take a stand against out-of-state interests trying to amend the Nebraska Constitution.

Not to mention the fact that the ban will effectively end any programs designed to educate underprivileged segments of the population.

Heineman missed an opportunity to display leadership. If the governor isn’t elected to be a leader for the state, then who is?

Nebraskans should be responsible for Nebraska policy, not some out-of-state group.

Here’s a first for me, I’m offering a quotation from President Ronald Reagan:

“To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last— but eat you he will.”

Dave K
September 2, 2008 at 3:41PM

Is the real issue here that the funding is coming from out of state, or the actual issue that is being voted on?  If ‘out-of-state interests’ were funding a petition drive to legalize drugs and gay marriage, would you support it or oppose it? 

It’s a safe bet to say that if Heineman had taken a position, people would be accusing him of injecting politics into the issue.  It’s just that the leftists know he’s in a bind with this one (either they get to call him a racist/bigot/sexist or have him at odds with the likely majority), so they’re critical of his non-stance.  It’s a win-win for those who don’t like him: they can now accuse him of not ‘display[ing] leadership’. 

And although it’s great to see words from Ronald Reagan, I’m not sure what the quote has to do with your post or the issue.

CS
September 2, 2008 at 9:22PM

I don’t understand NE’s isolationist view of things. If legislation was left completely up to in state interests, I shudder to think were this state would be. It’s like you forget the other half of the equation, which is that legislation could be proposed by space aliens BUT it STILL HAS TO BE VOTED ON. Basically, if you don’t like the idea of ‘out of state interests’ legislation on the ballot then get off your duff and go vote against it. The stuff doesn’t inject itself into law all on its own.

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