Meanspirited politics in Jeff City sinks university nominee
Barb ShellyUniversity professors have leeway to make provocative statements. No so Board of Curator candidates in Missouri.
The Republican-controlled state Senate last week refused to confirm the appointment of Gov. Jay Nixon’s nominee, Craig Van Matre, to the University of Missouri System’s Board of Curators. Republicans and some Democrats are annoyed with Nixon for a variety of reasons, and appointments are one way they have of expressing that. But the rejection of Van Matre, a Columbia lawyer, had more to do with some comments that Van Matre published in the Columbia Daily Tribune several years ago.
Van Matre weighed in at a time when Republicans in the legislature were making one of their ongoing attempts to dismantle Missouri’s non-partisan system of selecting state judges. In one piece, he said some Republicans were “religious zealots” controlled by Missouri Right to Life.
While not especially diplomatic, that charge was accurate at the time, in some cases, and might apply today, although Missouri Right to Life’s influence in the capitol has waned somewhat. But Van Matre, a University of Missouri School of Law graduate with impressive legal credentials, was highly qualified to serve on the governing board of his alma mater. It was small-minded and vindictive for Republicans to disqualify him because they didn’t like something he said.
I know, I know. How about conservative Robert Bork, rejected by the U.S. Senate in 1987 for a U.S. Supreme Court seat in large part because of beliefs he expressed before and during confirmation hearings? (I get that question every time a confirmation issue comes up.) Well, it was a good assumption that Bork’s controversial opinions would have had a direct bearing on how he acted on the court. His stated intent was to roll back civil rights advances of the Warren and Burger courts, for instance. There is no reason to assume that Van Matre’s somewhat inflammatory opinions on the judicial issue would have any bearing on his actions as a University of Missouri curator.
Several Republican senators huffed that Van Matre’s comments about lawmakers indicated that he wouldn’t be able to work with other curators who didn’t share his views. Oh, please. Van Matre is a lawyer, and a good one. Arguing their points and then moving on is what good lawyers do. He would have been an asset to the board.
In any case, it’s not the Board of Curators that has ground to a standstill because of ideological opinions and personality conflicts. No, that would be…the Missouri Senate!
It’s too bad. With a new systems president about to start work, the Board of Curators needs the strongest possible leadership right now. And the Senate’s rejection of Van Matre means that the district representing the flagship Columbia campus will remain vacant for the time being.
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Phil Cardarella
3 months, 1 week agoNominees should be entitled to an up or down vote — just as Bork was.
Republicans have perfected the art of extortion and intimidation. They don’t have to DO anything — even vote on nominees. Just refuse to act.
Oh, and intimidate any critics by retaliating against them like this.
Extottion and intimidation: GOP Family Values!
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoHow soon you convenintly forget Phil…. but, as expected…
It was a good early evening laugh though…
Mark Hastert
3 months, 1 week agoThis is a problem at all levels of government. One party or another, lacking the courage to stand up and just vote, obstructs. The rules should be reformed to require an up or down vote within 90 or 120 days of the nomination else the nominee is automatically approved. Same with bills in committee and on the floor. Each party protects their right to obstruct for the times when they are in the minority thus denying democracy and the will of the voters. Bork is a good example. Public opinion and pressure from constituents prevented his appointment but at least he got a vote in committee.
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoWill this be your thinking Jan. 20, 2013 or so when the R’s control both houses & the Presidency mark?