Someone please
correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not familiar with
Texas law), but as governor, doesn't
George Dubya have exactly one power w/ regard to the
death penalty? Namely, the ability to
postpone the injection for a few weeks?
Juries and judges, the vast majority of whom were appointed before Bush's term, put the inmates on death row in the first place. Most of the executed were convicted and sentenced before Bush's term, as well. As head of Texas' executive branch, it is Bush's duty to carry out the law, even if he does not agree with the law in question (in this case, he happens to agree). The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole has recommended that Bush put to death every criminal that has been executed during his time in office. Bush is merely carrying out his job, and his power to stop the executions is effectively nil.
So the Death Count has more to do with the opinions of Texan juries than Governor Bush. However, the term "Compassionate Conservative Death Count" certainly is a cute one. It would probably be much more effective if Al Gore wasn't also a death penalty advocate. Since he is, I'm left wondering "So what?"
The ghost of Ricky Ray Rector makes sure Gore's mouth stays stapled shut.
I am against the death penalty, but let's face it: it's a governor's legal duty to execute until state courts or the Supreme Court strike down capital punishment. Hopefully they'll do that soon, but I'm not betting on it.
Dontcha just love election years?