Bevin has claimed that there are irregularities. I understand that some GOP have already indicated they’re ready to move on, but I just wonder what would really happen if he refused to accept the outcome. The ball would be in their court.
There have also been robocalls from a state GOP activist group asking people to call and report irregularities before the recanvass deadline.
It’s a weak veto power, but I can see two possible ways it could influence things:
-
It’s an opportunity for the governor to push back politically, because the vetoed bill is sent back with detailed objections. “I think this is bad for these reasons, and I’m willing to fight you on it.” The objections could theoretically persuade enough of the legislature to block, change, or clarify the bill. (It could also be a signal that the governor’s party is going to try to use the new law against those who voted for it electorally, in an effort to erode legislative support for the bill.)
-
I believe the Kentucky governor has a line-item veto. If the governor picks relatively unpopular parts of the bill in question to veto, some legislators who voted for an overall compromise package would probably not be particular motivated to override the veto. The governor might not be able to stop the whole bill, but could potentially strip a poison pill out of it.
Anybody can claim irregularities. There are always a few, not enough to overturn the official count (usually), but enough to claim there are. I can’t imagine him not trying and then it is up to the Republican legislature. Would they vote for democracy? I don’t see them doing that. You have power; use it. The Republican party is without shame.
McConnell seems to have given up on Bevin and is ready to call it done.
I suspect that GOP leaders have asked Bevin about his supposed “irregularities” and know that he’s just desperately blowing smoke.
Best timestamped event:
I suppose it wouldn’t be fair to vote No at this point.
Regards,
Shodan
I did. This thread is stupid.
No; the provision is specific to gubernatorial elections. Moscow Mitch wants the whole idea to just go away, lest it enrage and energize Kentucky Democrats just in time for his election.
Because Lord knows the Democrats have absolutely no other reason to be enraged at him and the GOP as a whole.
I love it when whackadoodle candidates run on a ballot just for shits and giggles.
Maybe not, but is it ever a good idea to pass up an opportunity to cast a vote for the winning side of an issue?
Waitaminute, is this a public poll? Lemme check. No, nobody can see how you voted. No apparent benefit now, I suppose.
A fun little coda on this story:
At Matt Bevin’s afterparty, a woman in a business suit and Wonder Woman t-shirt ran up to the mic, announced that Bevin had won (he had not), and bounced up and down for a while before being ushered off the stage and out of the Galt House.
Someone finally caught up with her and did an interview, and she’s a doozy.
“I felt it was a spiritual thing,” she says. I suspect the spirit in question was vodka.