Good Riddance

Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham, under criminal indictment, faces possible impeachment and almost certain recall by the voters. He could spare our Arizona neighbors considerable messiness, anguish and embarrassment by resigning. Then long-time Secretary of State Rose Mofford would complete Mecham’s unexpired term as governor. Mofford has never expressed an ambition to be anything more than the secretary of state, and probably would be only a caretaker governor, but that certainly beats having an insensitive buffoon as the chief executive.

Even for Mecham last week was some week. During his State of the State address there was a tiny glimmer of contrition that by Friday had become a full-fledged apology for whatever bothered anyone. In between, the governor made a remark about Japanese people that may not have had an ounce of malicious intent to it but, given the circumstances, was certainly dumb and ill-timed. “I hope that wasn’t anything out of line,” Mecham said afterward. The fact that he had to ask is indicative of his depth of judgment.

To close out the week, a special investigator told the Arizona House of Representatives that Mecham had used public funds for personal gain and concealed a campaign contribution of $350,000. Members will debate this week whether to ask the Arizona Senate to impeach the governor.

During his first year in office, Mecham managed to insult just about every other group--including blacks, Jews and gays. Mecham, a millionaire auto dealer, was elected on his sixth try for the governorship with 39% of the vote, largely because a third candidate conducting a write-in campaign pulled support away from favored Democrat Carolyn Warner, who had been a state education official.

Perhaps Californians should not be advising Arizonans on their internal political matters. But, as friendly neighbors, Californians could suggest that Mecham’s record so far has not helped the Grand Canyon state’s image as a lively, progressive and environmentally sensitive area. Rose Mofford may not be lusting for the governorship, but the idea of a peaceful change in the chief executive’s office must look real good to a lot of Arizonans right now.