Dr Kent’s Blog

If the Republicans want to keep the Governor’s Office, they’d better bring a different candidate forward during the next election or risk losing the Governor’s Office once again to Democrats!  There is no choice.  Either bring forward a far stronger candidate who is a real leader or lose!

While Governor Jan Brewer made an excellent Secretary of State, it is readily apparent that the current Republican Governor is not a “leader.”  Why?  First, almost as soon as Brewer took office, she went to work on “political appearances” and attending “feel good” publicity events.  She appeared to be focused on running (prematurely) for election to the office she had just inherited!

Second, Brewer does not have the intelligence of her predecessor former Governor Janet Napolitano.  Napolitano is more intelligent and was a far more effective as a leader than Brewer—even though Napolitano’s philosophy and policies were misguided she was effective.

The discriminating point is that after more than a month in office, it is readily apparent that Jan Brewer is not leading!  Rather than make decisions herself, Brewer is requiring division directors under her to make major decisions.  While this might seem to be respectful of the division director’s turf, it is neglect of her gubernatorial responsibilities to the citizenry of Arizona.  And apparently Brewer thinks that by avoiding making the tough decisions and allowing others to lead her, she might not offend anyone, thereby be more electable during her first real run for the Governor’s Office.

Advice to Governor Jan Brewer: 

The only way to survive, for both you politically and the State, you need to lead.  You need to make the tough decisions.  Hard times require one to make serious decisions and not be derelict in duties by forcing underlings to make decisions you ought to be making.

This requires a commitment to make the tough decisions and the right decisions regardless of who might be offended.  And the final irony is it appears Governor Jan Brewer is going to accept the Federal Bail Out with all strings attached.  Those strings reek of former Governor Janet Napolitano’s handiwork:  Brewer is letting Napolitano continue to dictate to her and allow her to run the Arizona Governor’s Office from Washington, DC!

My advice:

Governor Brewer, you are a nice lady.  Put your personal political ambitions aside.  Make the commitment to serve Arizona to the best of YOUR abilities.  Make the tough decisions and take the responsibility.  Make the commitment to see Arizona to fiscal health and a return to sound policy. 

Prepare to step aside for another Republican candidate for the good of your party and the State.  Be prepared to return to your position and wonderful service as Arizona’s Secretary of State.

Otherwise, your wishy-washiness and noncommittal approach to leadership will doom any run for the Governor’s Office and risk Arizona suffering through another Democrat governor, maybe even making it possible for Terry Goddard to be elected Governor.

Goddard must resign as Attorney General.  Goddard has allowed his offices to be used unethically and in a fashion it could charged under RICO—the criminal laws for prosecuting organized crime—which is what Goddard has allowed the Attorney General’s Office to become!