Replacing Napolitano

Posted: Monday, December 01, 2008 5:28 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Pete Williams
If Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano -- a Democrat -- is confirmed as Homeland Security secretary, then her successor as the governor of Arizona will be a Republican.

Arizona's state Constitution provides that a vacancy in the office of governor is filled by the Secretary of State. Arizona has no lieutenant governor.

The relevant provision says, "In the event of the death of the governor, or his resignation, removal from office, or permanent disability to discharge the duties of the office, the secretary of state, if holding by election, shall succeed to the office of governor until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify." (Article 5, Section 6)

That means the current secretary of state, Republican Jan Brewer, would serve out the remainder of Napolitano's term, which has two years left.

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Comments

Country First Democrats. Country First. Oh, and also, the law.

Get Over It (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 5:38 PM)

Let's hope AZ's Sec of State isn't as incompetent as some of the other ones are (like Colorado's Mike Coffman).

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 5:44 PM)

So why hasn't Obama's election stopped terrorism?

Taque Pelmore, Florida (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 5:52 PM)

No President in American history liberated more people that George W. Bush. Over 50 million and less soldiers have died under Bush than Bill Clinton. Facts we must accept and live with. Sandy Moore

I did not realize that. Those are truly amazing stats. Impressive.

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:27 PM)

I think Gates, Clinton, Jones and possibly Holder are good choices by Obama.
Napolitano and Rice are a disappointment.

Rhj (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:38 PM)

That's just Arizona. While important to Arizonans others should not be that concerned. When the term is up they are likely to go with another Democrat. Or not. Look at California, one of the bluest of blue states. It has a Republican governor. He is a more moderate Republican than many but a Republican nevertheless.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 6:51 PM)

>>>No President in American history liberated more people that George W. Bush. Over 50 million and less soldiers have died under Bush than Bill Clinton. Facts we must accept and live with.
Sandy Moore, Indy (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 4:19 PM)

==========
I'll accept these "facts" when you cite a source for them (and Blogs don't count).

50 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 7:02 PM)

Obama surely got the OK from Hillary and Bill about this before he nominated Napolitano.

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 7:15 PM)

Taque Pelmore, actually if you haven't noticed, Al Qaida is very upset right now because Islamic media are very pro Obama. That makes it harder for them to recruit. Unless suicide bombers comeback from the dead, no new recruits means no Al Qaida. That protects your children and mine.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 7:28 PM)

"So why hasn't Obama's election stopped terrorism?"
Taque Pelmore, Florida
******************************************************
If you're serious, you definitely need help. Mental help. Unless there is no help for morons.

MO, El Reno, OK (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 8:09 PM)

Delighted to see Gov Napolitano be given this position. She is an enormously intelligent and SENSIBLE woman, a true consensus-builder -- and that is desperately needed to end the lack of construtive discussion and policy creation about the illegal immigration and other issues. She's not going to have it easy, but she WILL tackle the task and get the Congress and the Feds to stop avoiding the issue and start setting some policy. I feel sorry for Arizonans, though. They're going to find out very quickly what an EXCEPTIONALLY talented governor they've had!

Susan Fry (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:34 PM)

Oh No, Jan Brewer is a Far Right Neo-Nut. God help Arizona for the next 2 years!!

Sign me,
Terrified in Tucson

Steven Coburn (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 11:05 PM)

Indie Woman in Denver----unfortunately, I live in AZ and our sec. of state (Jan Brewer) is a total idiot. We're feeling like we (Arizonans) are taking one for the team as Napolitano is excellent and will be great in her new position. We'll just have to suffer for a couple years. Oh well. That's country first. :-)

Dr B, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 11:06 PM)

Hey maybe moosetracks will move her whole brood to Arizona and pick up there. God that would be dreadful, we would have to hear that god awful pitch more often.

Brenda (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 8:25 AM)

There a number of states that have no LT governor. It does make a little bit of sense to have one; like there is a VP in case the president.

To Kathy in Charlotte and whoever else mentions it, I would disagree with the idea that Bush liberated 50 million people. Which people are you refering to and what are your qualifiers for being liberated. It is an overly broad statement. Didn't Bush campaign on a humble foreign policy? There was to be no nation building, wasn't there?

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:13 AM)

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