Blackwell Delegates SOS Duties

Jul 31, 2006- Submitted By:   political strategery

From The Columbus Dispatch:

Since Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell kicked his Republican gubernatorial campaign into high gear five months ago, his top lieutenant has assumed some of the key duties of the elected office.

Assistant Secretary of State Monty Lobb, not Blackwell, has signed all of the directives and advisories to county boards of elections sent from Blackwell’s office since March.

State law requires the secretary of state to break such ties and, although Blackwell’s office said the decisions typically are based on the recommendations of the office legal staff, Blackwell has had no input into those handled by Lobb.

Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said Blackwell remains responsible for the office and keeps in close contact with the staff, but during the campaign, he decided to delegate those duties to Lobb under a state law that says, "The general duties of the assistant secretary shall be such as the secretary of state assigns him."

Blackwell also deemed the move prudent because, as the head of the Republican ticket this year, he wanted "a level of insulation" for the decisions of the office, LoParo said.

But some critics say Blackwell can’t have it both ways: Either he’s fulfilling the responsibilities of the $105,185-a-year job or not.

"I don’t believe our constitution or the statute anticipates allowing the secretary of state to dodge his responsibilities," said Christopher B. McNeil, an adjunct professor at Capital University Law School and an expert on administrative law.

Even the "smartest woman in the world," Mrs. Bill Clinton, demanded such a move, and now Sec. Blackwell receives criticism?

Personally, I think that Blackwell should keep his job and continue the day to day, but…

What say you?

5 Comments

  1. Anonymous said,

    Wrote on July 31, 2006 @ 11:37 am

    It was so predictable that he’d get critcized no matter what he did. Still amazing to actually see it happen.

    blackswampconservative

  2. Anonymous said,

    Wrote on July 31, 2006 @ 12:31 pm

    Give the money back. Blackwell could do like Arnold in California and not take a salary from the SOS office until the election. I think it would be a noble gesture and one that would make some sense to the voters.

  3. Anonymous said,

    Wrote on July 31, 2006 @ 12:33 pm

    The story says he gave Lobb the authority in March during the primary. What’s the big deal about it now?

  4. Anonymous said,

    Wrote on July 31, 2006 @ 6:11 pm

    “Steve Harsman, (DEMOCRAT), president of the Ohio Association of Election Officials, said many election officials, (DEMOCRATS),in the state are concerned that Blackwell is not making decisions such as breaking tie votes of elections boards.

    Harsman said such decisions have “huge ramifications” for the parties (DEMOCRATS)involved because they set precedents for similar disputes in the future. Election officials are looking for strong guidance in the face of myriad changes in state election law this year, he said.

    “These are critical times, and we need that leadership from Mr. Blackwell,” said Harsman, (DEMOCRAT)director of the Montgomery County Board of Elections.”

    He has clearly drunk the KOOLAID of his DEMOCRAT Manservant Chris (Banty Rooster)Redfern and is not to be respected as representative of the bipartisan Boards of Election in the Great State of Ohio.
    Let it be written, let it be done.

  5. Anonymous said,

    Wrote on July 31, 2006 @ 9:15 pm

    Whoa, the Dumocrat shows through.

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