Quit your whinin’, Governor

Gov. Mitch Daniels has been in rare form these past few weeks, vilifying Indiana judges and picking fights with the State Bar Association.

On Sept. 17, the Indiana Court of Appeals released a decision on the much-debated voter ID law, deeming it unconstitutional.

The three-judge panel ruled unanimously that the requirement of showing a state or federal ID when voting in person while not putting similar requirements on absentee voters violated Article 1, Section 23, of the Indiana Constitution, also known as the Equal Privileges and Immunities Clause.

During a press conference the same day, Gov. Daniels responded to many questions about the decision, calling it “preposterous” and “extreme” and claiming that it will be “a footnote to history” after being overturned.

Outrage at the decision is his prerogative, just like every citizen. However, unabashedly criticizing one specific judge on the panel is not. When speaking of the court ruling, he said it “flies in the face of much better judges.” Talk of this nature demeans his office, and thus the citizenry of the state who elected him.

Nevermind the fact that this law has been fiercely debated in and out of courts since it was passed in 2005. Nevermind the fact that the wording and interpretation of equal protection under the Indiana Constitution might not be the same as that of the U.S. Constitution. Nevermind the fact that the three presiding judges for the case had a combined 39 years experience on the appellate court bench.

Even with those things aside, Gov. Daniels was still out of line. And I’m not the only one who thinks so.

The day after the court decision and press conference, the Indiana State Bar Association issued a statement reproving the governor’s actions Sept. 18.

Partisanship within the ranks of government is not an inherently bad thing – quite the contrary. The reason our government operates so well is that proponents for every side of an issue can have a voice.

The constant debating of issues and ideals keeps legislators sharp. The Indiana House of Representatives having a Democratic majority while the Senate keeps a Republican majority is a shining example of how this works to the people’s advantage.
But surely we should expect only the best of arguments from our elected officials.

Gov. Daniels put forward that the decision was “an act of judicial arrogance.” This does nothing to advance the debate. It only serves to inflame tempers and add an emotional undercurrent to the lawmaking process.

So I ask for an apology from you, Gov. Daniels. You had a vehicle to express your opinions, and took it too far. You have been elected to the highest office in this state. We need you tackling issues, not picking fights and watering down the debate. Regardless of whether or not this ruling is overturned, you owe us that much.
You already won the election, Daniels. You can stop running to the right now.