Pantation Politics - ICYMI: Gov. Beebe's Good Old Boy Network Exposed

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Editorial:

“Picky, picky, The education of a pol,” Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The statewide newspaper has now joined the chorus of those critical of Governor Mike Beebe’s good old boy appointment of Shane Broadway to a position he is not legally qualified to have.

“THOSE picky Republicans. Some of them are even objecting to Mike Beebe’s choosing one of Arkansas’ leading Democrats to head the state’s Department of Higher Education. They say he isn’t qualified. What nonsense. Shane Broadway has the most important qualification of all for such an appointment: He’s a political crony of the governor’s. He was Governor Beebe’s running mate last year, and is a member in better than good standing of the Democratic establishment and the state’s good-old-boy network, which aren’t always easy to tell apart. What more could you ask?”

Today’s editorial further proves that Governor Mike Beebe is not correct in his interpretation of the law.
“Because according to said law, if anybody cares, the director of the Department of Higher Education in this state has got to have a considerable amount of it himself. Including experience as an educator at a college or university. And, oh, yes, be the product of the usual search-and-selection process. Shane Broadway would seem to be free of any such encumbrances. He’s got something much better: friends in high places. But why go into such technicalities? Shane is the Guv’s boy and a good ol’ boy at that. He’s had quite a lot of experience if not on campus then at handing out all the appropriations, college scholarships and other goodies his department can deliver.”

Former State Senator and Representative Shane Broadway co-sponsored the legislation in Arkansas House of Representatives which established the legal requirements for the Department of Higher Education Director.
“Each in its way can doubtless provide a fine education in the lower arts, like political maneuvering and bureaucratic finagling in general, but somehow we don’t think that’s what those who drafted Arkansas Code Annotated 6-61-203 had in mind when they referred to higher education.”
Click here for full editorial (Subscription Required)

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[H/T Communications Director, Republican Party of Arkansas]
Tags: Arkansas, Governor, Mike Beebe, Shane Broadway, Dept of Higher Education, political payback, Good Old Boys, Plantation Politics, Arkansas Democrat To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!