Who better to lead the two-year college system?
OK, I am really worried about my mental state. Stop the presses, I agree with Governor Riley.
After his attacks on the hiring of legislators by the two-year college system, who does he suggest should run the system permanently? A state legislator, Senator Bradley Byrne.
Why didn’t I think of that?
I have enormous respect for Senator Byrne. We have clashed on issues and we rarely agreed on anything but he is always willing to listen and I consider him an honest and decent man. It’s sad that some members of Senator Byrne’s own party are already crying foul, implying that his current position in the Legislature somehow precludes him from serving in this position.
So today, I endorse Senator Bradley Byrne to head the two-year college system. As an attorney and a former state school board member, he is highly qualified and the board should appoint him. I don’t think that the fact that he is a legislator should be held against him.
Of course, Senator Byrne is going to resign his senate seat, so he will very credible in terms of making sure that the two year college system is not longer used as welfare for state legislators. As a legislator he has been very supportive of Governor Riley’s accountability measures, so he is, in fact, a brillant choice.
Comment by Susan — May 11, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Randy, I haven’t heard anyone in my party crying, “foul”. Most Republicans that I’ve spoken to have said, “good choice”. Actually, the harshest criticism that I’ve heard about the selection was from Rep. Alvin Holmes (certainly no Republican).
Comment by Mike Ball — May 11, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
I don’t reveal sources in my blog. Especially, when they tell me something in confidence. I also try not to mention other legislators unless making a point or pointing out something favorable. I try to criticize policies, strategies, etc and not my colleagues specifically. Although, the temptation is always there.
Comment by Rep. Hinshaw — May 13, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
[…] Even Representative Randy Hinshaw (D-Meridianville) talked him up in a blog post. Although pointing out the irony of Governor Riley advocating for a legislator after attacking the two-year system for hiring legislators, Hinshaw says he has enormous respect for his oft-rival in the legislature: I have enormous respect for Senator Byrne. We have clashed on issues and we rarely agreed on anything but he is always willing to listen and I consider him an honest and decent man. […] So today, I endorse Senator Bradley Byrne to head the two-year college system. As an attorney and a former state school board member, he is highly qualified and the board should appoint him. […]
Pingback by BTL: Chancellor Byrne received fairly well — May 14, 2007 @ 11:32 am