Never one to lead the charge, Gov. Jay Nixon broke the silence to veto a bipartisan voter ID bill. The remarkable thing isn't so much that he veto'd the bill (he had to, after all, placate his base) - it's how little he is doing on voter ID as well as issues like abortion and gun control.
Nixon hasn't gotten in front of any of these issues, leaving many of us (like the Post Dispatch) wondering whether he's going to offer token resistance or just fold completely. It's hard to imagine how his administration could get more toothless and ineffective than it has been in recent months.
From the Joplin Independent:
"It is disappointing that Jay Nixon vetoed a bill that passed with bipartisan support to protect the lawful vote of every Missourian and make it easier to vote prior to Election Day," said Lloyd Smith, executive director of the Missouri Republican Party. "Requiring a photo ID to vote is a common sense proposal that enjoys vast support across the state and nation..."
Top Missouri Republicans condemned the governor's action. State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton and one of the bill's sponsors, said he was "disappointed the governor rejected a bipartisan plan to make every vote count in Missouri. It is time for our election laws to enter the 21st century. My gut tells me he is thinking less secure elections will only benefit him next November."
Feigning leadership will get him nowhere, as is evinced by his Democratic approval rating, which at a statewide 60%.
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