Is there a doctor in the house?
With campaign on life support, Fletcher's political prognosis is not favorable

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Friday, June 2, 2006, 12:30 a.m. -- Tomorrow the power brokers in the Republican Party of Kentucky -- the Republican State Central Committee -- will be meeting to discuss issues related to state and national political races.

On the state level, I have to believe that the race for governor will be at the top of everyone's agenda: Who will the state GOP support for governor in 2007?

Should the state GOP support a sitting governor who currently is under indictment on charges related to the merit system scandal? Or should the party look for a candidate with less baggage -- and perhaps one who might follow-through on a promise to "clean up the mess in Frankfort" without violating any state laws in the process?

I'm being pretty tough on Gov. Ernie Fletcher, I know. But the state GOP needs to be even tougher; the party needs to back a candidate who can move the Commonwealth forward, not keep it bogged down in the current political quagmire.

While Fletcher is innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law, in the court of public opinion he doesn't get the same presumption of innocence. Simply judging his own actions, he (with the help of his supporters) have made it clear he's guilty as sin.

The governor has lost the approval of the people who sent him to Frankfort. Perhaps it was the constant whining about Attorney General Greg Stumbo's alleged political vendetta. The blanket pardons certainly added credence to the theory that there was a lot going down behind the scenes. Pardons are usually given after someone is convicted; in Fletcher's case, he pardoned every possible person who might be indicted in the merit system investigation. Who wouldn't be suspicious?

And Fletcher's supporters also trotted out my favorite retort, implying Fletcher's administration was somehow less guilty because of their claim that previous administrations also abused the merit hiring system.

I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard this one -- it's the classic excuse from a 7-year-old when caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Sorry Governor, the "they did it first before we did it" excuse is not a credible defense in Kentucky outside the boundaries of a primary school playground.

Gov. Fletcher apparently plans to pick a running mate and continue with his reelection bid. If Gov. Fletcher were really interested in doing what is best for his party and his state, he would do some serious soul searching while on the North Florida beaches. If he can grasp the "big picture," he would likely announce next week on his return from his vacation that he will not run for reelection.

Facing an election campaign he can't possibly win, it's a better choice to withdraw with dignity than to have it forcibly removed in a bitter campaign to nowhere.

I'm sorry it has to be this way, Gov. Fletcher, but it's time to move Kentucky forward. I hope you will agree.