Patton prudent in clearing his political
docket
OUR OPINION
Gov. Paul Patton's decision to remove himself from most public
political matters for the foreseeable future is a prudent move on the
part of the state's chief executive.
Although he hasn't said definitively that his quest for the U.S.
Senate seat currently held by Jim Bunning is over, Gov. Patton is a
seasoned enough campaigner to know that his chances of support —
let alone victory — in that endeavor have diminished dramatically
after his acknowledgement of a lengthy sexual affair with a
Western Kentucky businesswoman, his reversal of an earlier public
denial of the relationship and the ethics probe into whether he used
his officials powers to help, then hurt, the woman's businesses.
The shock and the disgust has not worn off totally across the state
from last week's turn of events and it will be in that same indefinite
"foreseeable future" that some sense of confidence and respect is
returned to Frankfort.
State Democratic Party officials, all presumably sporting 10-foot
poles, were nearly unanimous in saying that their projects and races
were well underway and the governor's presence would be missed
but would not be essential for success.
Friday's meeting of the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission
will be a key forum to watch although, frankly, we're not entirely
confident the board is detached enough from a capital hopelessly
mired in partisan politics to render an objective opinion. If there
ever was cause for service by an independent panel — like, for
instance, the state ethics panel from Indiana or Ohio — this may be
it.
Other investigations by federal agencies likely will follow, as will
an obviously messy sexual harassment lawsuit, unless a settlement
is reached out-of-court.
There's great intrigue but little enthusiasm on our part for coverage
Disti
Hopi
a
kinsville...
of these sordid coming events.
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