I hate to get into this so early in the 2012 congressional races...BUT it's not secret Carl Wimmer is running for Congress. Which District? We don't know, he doesn't know and honestly I don't think he cares. He's decided he's needed in Congress and the District will find him. It's funny in a time when borders are talked about so vehemently that we've had our struggles with those pesky lines right here at home. Rep Craig Frank's unfortunate situation comes to mind, the upcoming redistricting of State House and Senate lines, and the new 4th Congressional seat, not to mention Congressman Jason Chaffetz not living in the District he represents.
But I digress.
This post is really about HB 477 - no, it's really about ambition, but I'll get to that in a moment. The infamous GRAMA Bill. The one that prevents/makes it more difficult for the average citizen (read news reporters) from gaining access to public records, including text messages and emails. I think it's no secret (notice the common theme) that the process of it's passage has been much criticized by the local media and rightfully so.
Any steps by newly elected Speaker Lockhart to push for a more open process have been severely shadowed by this bill. And it's ironic really. I mean what is the public, let alone the media, to think about a bill that limits access to various public records, when it's pushed forward so quickly and with such little process that a bill of this subject matter traditionally requires? It's really puzzling. And I'm also a bit surprised that the Speaker's new Chief of Staff Joe Pyrah, a former Herald news reporter and favorite blogger (SausageGrinder), didn't advise the Speaker on the potential backlash.
But now comes Representative Carl Wimmer. If Jimmer is everything good about basketball, Rep Wimmer is everything bad about politics. The classic definition of an ambitious, self-serving politician in the year of election. Wimmer is now conveniently calling for HB477 to be repealed. To me Wimmer comes across as an opportunist trying to capitalize on the public displeasure with HB477 and make himself a champion of its repeal. All the while I might add he voted FOR it the first time it came before the House then voted against it the second time when I believe he held his finger to the wind and saw it as a potentially harmful vote that would be held against him in his congressional run.
Does anyone remember the famous "I voted it FOR it before I voted AGAINST it"Kerry political ad of 2004?
Carl. YOU voted FOR HB477 before you voted AGAINST it!
Wimmer is an election year opportunist driven more by ambition than principle at this point. His usage of the repeal of HB477 as a vehicle for his own purposes is the perfect example.
If any of you know of an honest principled candidate considering a run. Please let me know. I'm anxious to help keep this guy out of a place where ambition is all to often rewarded over principle.
In my next post I promise to tell you how I really feel. ;)
Go Cougs!
