We all know the now-disgraced and now-former chairperson of the Kentucky Democratic Party accomplished very little and caused major losses for the Party. That’s all behind us. Mostly. And it’s kinda time to move on. But not before we address something that’s still lingering. Especially after last evening’s State Central Executive Committee conference call that involved absolutely no one bringing up proper procedure. Not even Jeff Noble (WTF!).

Recall, if you will, when Jerry Lundergan allowed KDP to sit without a vice-chair for a brief time. People like Jennifer Moore, Mark Nickolas, Jonathan Miller, Jeremy Horton (whom we hear has landed a Finance Cabinet job), Crit Luallen, Joe Meyer and even my dear friend Diane Brumback lost their marbles over it. They issued press releases, attacked Jerry and otherwise went ballistic. (To Diane’s credit, she was misled) They demanded that KDP install a female (as required by the by-laws) vice-chair ASAP. It was an all-out witch hunt that has forever left Lundergan scarred in the Commonwealth.

Following the rules was fine and dandy back then. And we tended to agree with the folks behind the witch hunt more often than not.

But now that the people who were bitching and moaning about Lundergan are in power, following the rules isn’t convenient. We’ve been sitting without a vice-chair of the KDP for several months. Now that pressure is on to find a new vice-chair, Governor Beshear’s crew is leading the parade to improperly select an individual without regard to the by-laws. And they’ve apparently misled new chair Charlie Moore (who seems to be doing a great job) to believe it’s a-okay.

Read the rest after the jump…

Countless members of the KDP’s State Central Executive Committee have informed us that Governor Steve Beshear has called them in recent days to say, (paraphrased) “Carolyn Belcher is my pick for KDP Vice-Chair, vote for her, she’ll do everything I want.” That is, the governor has picked the woman he wants to be vice-chair and is instructing Party members to vote for her. But that’s not the way the rules work.

Take a look at the KDP’s by-laws (PDF Link).

ARTICLE VIII

State Central Executive Committee

D. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair: The State Central Executive Committee shall elect the Chair and Vice-Chair of the State Central Executive Committee in the event of a vacancy in either position using one of the following processes:

1. If there is a sitting Democratic Governor or an elected Democratic Nominee for Governor, he or she may present an individual for consideration and vote to the State Central Committee.

2. In all other situations, a nominating committee shall be formed to locate and screen applicants for these positions. The nominating committee shall consist of a member from each of the elected six (6) Congressional District committee members, a member of the State at-Large committee members, a person selected by the Democratic Senate Caucus, a person selected by the Democratic House Caucus and a representative of each elected Democratic Statewide constitutional officer. The Congressional District members and the State at Large members shall be determined by a caucus of their respective groups. This committee shall present their recommendations to the full State Central Committee for consideration and vote.

This election shall be ratified at the next State Convention. The Vice-Chair shall be of the sex opposite the Chair. Neither of these officers need be previously elected as members of the State Central Committee.

Each of these officers may be removed without cause by a majority vote of the entire State Central Committee.

Pay close attention to #2 above. Nothing of the sort is taking place.

There’s no nominating committee comprised of the particular individuals required. And no one in charge seems to give a rat’s ass about following the rules.

So what gives? Why can’t this allegedly progressive and honest governor and his team follow the rules by the book? After several years of complaining about this very scenario, why are we now embroiled in it? Why are we up to our knees in it?

Something’s gotta give. Somebody needs to start following the rules. Or pissed off Democrats sitting on the SCEC are going to start losing their marbles.

Update: An astute reader pointed out that section 1 doesn’t say that the governor can only appoint a chair. It doesn’t specify who he can and can’t appoint. Since the title of section D is “Election of Chair and Vice-Chair” – I guess we’re left with him picking his VC, just as he picks his Chair.

I toyed with removing the post and/or just correcting it. But the fact of the matter is… this same crew was crying foul when they weren’t in power. Now that they are, they’re just turning a blind eye and doing something similar in allowing the Party to sit empty without a vice-chair. It doesn’t change the level of hypocrisy.

Further, the rules still aren’t being followed. The Governor is supposed to present an individual to the SCEC for a vote. That’s not taking place. The Chair and others have solicited nominations to be received directly by the Party, as referenced in Charlie Moore’s message a few weeks ago.

Don’t get us wrong – we appreciate having input in who the next vice-chair will be. Unfortunately, the Governor is telling SCEC members that Carolyn Belcher is his pick, totally undermining what his chair has previously said.