Perdue’s Veto Dilemma
February 3, 2011 - by
Governor Perdue has good reason to be happy the Democratic convention will be in Charlotte
But that could also box her in on some critical decisions this year.
Exhibit A: the Republicans’ bill calling for repeal of health-care reform.
Surely, the bill will pass the legislature. Does she then veto it? Her veto may well be overridden, and no governor ever wants to lose a veto fight for fear of looking weak.
But surely the White House will expect – and pressure – her to take a stand against repeal.
The same dynamic will apply on the bill to require voters to provide some form of ID on Election Day. That’s a popular idea – with all voters.
But Democrats – and the White House – fear it could cost Democrats a few thousand critical votes in November 2012.
Again, will the White House pressure Perdue to veto the bill – even in the face of an override?
And she knows that what she does this year will influence how hard Obama campaigns here next year – and whether she benefits from the same kind of surge he generated in 2008.
Perdue’s Veto Dilemma
February 3, 2011/
Governor Perdue has good reason to be happy the Democratic convention will be in Charlotte
But that could also box her in on some critical decisions this year.
Exhibit A: the Republicans’ bill calling for repeal of health-care reform.
Surely, the bill will pass the legislature. Does she then veto it? Her veto may well be overridden, and no governor ever wants to lose a veto fight for fear of looking weak.
But surely the White House will expect – and pressure – her to take a stand against repeal.
The same dynamic will apply on the bill to require voters to provide some form of ID on Election Day. That’s a popular idea – with all voters.
But Democrats – and the White House – fear it could cost Democrats a few thousand critical votes in November 2012.
Again, will the White House pressure Perdue to veto the bill – even in the face of an override?
And she knows that what she does this year will influence how hard Obama campaigns here next year – and whether she benefits from the same kind of surge he generated in 2008.