Earlier this week while speaking to the Tea Party Patriots in Spencer I was asked about the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, and what I would do if elected Governor.
I knew my questioner was hoping to hear me endorse a quick fix like an executive order, but I offered him a much more practical and successful method.
Step One: as the GOP nominee I would throughout the campaign let Iowans know that if elected Governor I would ensure their right to vote on a constitutional amendment, and that I would not let the legislature adjourn until they had a straight up or down vote on that issue. I would make it clear that I would even veto bills to hold the legislature in session until such a vote took place. I’d communicate that message in both the regular press and through campaign advertising.
Step Two: as Governor during the first week in office I’d invite the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House up to Terrace Hill for lunch to discuss the coming year and our mutual priorities. At that time I would show them both all of the press clippings where I’d made it clear I would hold the legislature in session until such a vote took place. I’d tell them, “Gentlemen, I believe in mandates. I told Iowans this is what I would do. They have given me a mandate to do exactly this, and I will do it. So we can get this out of the way now in January, or we can settle this is July. By the way, here is the recent polling data that shows Iowans back me on this proposal.”
Step Three: I will start looking for bills to veto. I will start meeting with rank and file legislators to let them know that I don’t expect them to vote for this constitutional amendment (that’s between them and their constituents) but I do expect them to have a vote. They will understand that I will veto bills, including the budget, to keep the legislature in session. I will have told them that privately and publicly. That will be the start of the pressure cooker. The process will likely reach a crescendo in May or June 2011 when there is no budget approved, and the legislature has been called back into special session.
In short it will be a staring match where the first to blink loses.
I’m known for my tenacity, and if I say I’m going to do something people can count on me to follow through. I will not blink.
It is really that simple.
It is the power that a Governor has. It is constitutional. It cannot be challenged in court and won’t be tied up in a prolonged legal battle. It will be strengthened by the mandate of telling the people of Iowa in advance that is my plan. It will be backed up with their public support. It will work.
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