Fit To Govern Minnesota

Former Senator Ellen Anderson, appointed Chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by Governor Mark Dayton was today (1/30/2012) removed from office by the Minnesota Senate.  Dayton lashed out, calling the Republicans "unfit to govern" and the press is dutifully characterizing this as a poltical act.  Quite the contrary, this was a proper action. 

I had thought the new Senate leadership would not have the necessary courage.  This is seldom pleasant business so I won't otherwise congratulate them.  But it should be noted that the Senate acted in spite of the recent scandal, not because of it as the press thinks.  It shows the GOP as quite fit to govern Minnesota.

Compare this action with that of Pawlenty's first Education Commissioner.  Cheri Pierson Yecke even by some DFL accounts might have been the most qualified to hold that position in state history.  After over a year on the job, in May of 2004 she was sacked in the dark of night after then Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson falsely assured her that her appointment was not in jeopardy.  She was appointed for her demonstrated ability in education and fired for political reasons only.  The DFL's many friends at Education Minnesota were fearful of the reforms she was considering to improve our middle school results, as disappointing then as now.  And the press shed no tears, some reporters even smirking over how naive they considered Yecke for falling for Johnson's ploy.

Ellen Anderson on the other hand was appointed for political reasons only, lacking actual competent knowledge of energy and the environment despite her many years of service on such Legislative committees.  I was astounded one afternoon, watching a hearing she chaired, astounded at how little she knew about any of the testimony being given.  Her contribution was in part to read tracts I presume prepared by staff, perhaps with considerable input from lobbyists.  It was that obvious and others I shared this with told me this was not an isolated example.

Her ouster was handled in the light of day.  I won't say that the GOP didn't draw some political satsifaction from it but the evidence that she was far from the most qualified for this important post is more than sufficient justification.  You would think the press would notice the difference.

Comments

[Hiram]

Speed here is offering a rationale that Republican senators in rejecting the Anderson nomination didn't offer themselves, namely that Anderson was unqualified for the position.

[Hiram]

Only one GOP senator spoke in support of denying confirmation to Sen. Anderson. And I don't think that senator raised any objection to her qualifications.