re: Former Governor Bevin: Time to strip pardon powers away?

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Just the last second lame duck pardons would come under review.

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There is no difference between a lame duck pardon and a pardon before the election and I say that because a pardon from the chief executive is a pardon from the chief executive no matter when it happens.

Subjecting the pardon power to legislative and/or judicial approval defeats the purpose of the pardon power. It's supposed to be independent of those two branches.

Now, you could introduce a constitutional amendment banning lame duck pardons but that would prevent good pardons for people that were actually wrongfully convicted that either had not enough evidence or prosecutorial abuse. And there's also the people out of prison that lived good lives that deserve to have their slates wiped clean.

From what I've read Bevin also issued a lot of pardons to people that had support from lawmakers, some DAs and innocent project groups that really believed that they deserved a pardon.

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If you want to keep the power fully intact with no review then just limit the power to 30 days from the general election and renew the power when the newly elected governor takes the oath of office. That would mean the power would be limited to between 30 and 60 days every 4 years.

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Again, there is no middle ground here because the pardon power is supposed to be independent of the legislative and judicial branches.

Either ban the pardon power completely or leave it alone.

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Bevin also issued a lot of pardons to people that had support from lawmakers, some DAs and innocent project groups that really believed that they deserved a pardon.

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:kige:

The problem is the few in question have caused the firestorm. A moderate politician dedicated to the future of their party in the state would have not abused the power. Bevin is not a moderate and has brought this down as a black eye to his party. He does not care because he has already made at least 1/2 billion for being in power and he can retire while his party suffers as do the voters.

We all have benefited from the pardon system. God has pardon us of our sins.

I'm not a fan of pardons.
That's why we have parole boards.


As far as the pension mess, it started when steve bashear was governor, and for 8 years he did nothing to solve it.

Now junior has sold the state out to the teachers union and will try and sell it out to the gambling casino's.

Something that his daddy tried to do, but couldn't get it done.

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The Kentucky statewide offices and legislature outside of the Governor's office is solidly republican.

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This is a misconception, registered Democrats still outnumber registered Republicans.

What KY really is may be more commonly referred to a Dixiecrats. They look and act like Republicans but vote Democratic. KY will flip easily if a moderate Democrat returns the state to its normal center but the national party keeps funding the far left like idiots. The rapid rise of Rocky in the primary (with no money and no national support) and his flipping of EKY counties in the general for Bashear indicates the flaw in thinking KY is deep red.

While I think Amy is no real challenge to The Turtle the future party elections are not as clear. If current state leadership of the party is replaced I can easily see larger bases return to the polls who have been absent and the state could easily flip blue.

Far left and far right is creating drama in the short run but pissing off the silent majority in the long run. Outsiders are (like Bevins) forcing the natives to question which usually is a signal to change.

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Bevin is just a flash in the pan

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Maybe, but probably not. We are seeing a political shift to power at any cost and policy based on greed. This is just the kind of gasoline that takes a spark to shift the voters. Unless future Republicans return to moderate and more long termed views they with easily provide the tinder to burn them in future elections.

When I see old Republicans changing their initial views on Bevin and Trump it is not ignored on how quickly things can change in the voting booth. In KY low turnout favors Republicans but high turnout favors Democrats.

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Then as soon as the results of an election are certified by the Secretary of State or whatever mechanism a state uses, a public official votes out of office should lose all powers and the winner have full authority.

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Cute but that’s not how it works.

Your idea would completely get rid of the transition period and that would lead to pointless and unnecessary chaos.

Changing from one administration to another is no easy thing, especially when it’s from Republican to Democrat and vice versa and thus the transition period is needed.

Besides, the current office holder is still entitled to the full use of his constitutionally enumerated powers until the very second his term expires and his successor is sworn in.

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Bevin lost for one reason and one reason alone.

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Exactly how many KY elections have you voted in for the past 50 years?

Just because MSNBC or FOX talking heads say something does not make it true.

If the primary had gone another month, Rocky would have been the nominee not Bashear. Rocky would have beaten Bevins by double digits.

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Cute but that’s not how it works.

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Really that’s not how it works?

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very second his term expires

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And I’m proposing changing when that happens.

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Your idea would completely get rid of the transition period and that would lead to pointless and unnecessary chaos.

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Transition can happen as necessary just don’t allow the outgoing executives the ability to exercise their powers such as unilateral executive orders, pardons or signing legislation.