Jan Brewer's birther bill veto: 4 theories
Arizona's Republican governor stuns conservatives by vetoing a controversial bill requiring presidential candidates to submit proof of U.S. citizenship
Gov. Jan Brewer (R-Ariz.) shocked the political world this week by vetoing two of the Right's "pet pieces" of legislation. One bill would have allowed firearms on parts of college campuses. The other, known as the "birther bill," would have made Arizona the first state to require specific proof of U.S. citizenship from presidential candidates. Brewer said the gun law was poorly written, and described the birther bill as "a bridge too far." (A similar "birther" bill was introduced in Louisiana last week, and the governor there, Republican Bobby Jindal, says that he will sign it if it reaches his desk.) So why did Brewer, a conservative favorite who fought last year for a tough new immigration law, exercise her veto power? Here, four theories:
1. The legislation was flawed
The birther bill "was a joke, and Brewer dismissed it as such," says Paul Thornton in the Los Angeles Times. She said she'd "never imagined being presented with a bill that could require candidates for president of the greatest and most powerful nation on Earth to submit their 'early baptismal or circumcision certificate.'" Plus, Brewer didn't want to give one person — Arizona's secretary of state — the power to decide who does or does not get on the ballot, because that could lead to "arbitrary or politically motivated decisions."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. Brewer was protecting Arizona's reputation
In passing and defending Arizona's controversial immigration law, the governor "shamelessly" and falsely blamed illegal immigrants "for everything from higher crime rates to headless bodies," says Cynthia Tucker in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She must be "tired of having Arizona made a laughingstock and the subject of tourism boycotts."
3. The governor isn't really even all that conservative
Brewer swung right by signing the immigration law last year, but now that she's no longer in a tough re-election fight, her true politics are emerging, says state Sen. Ron Gould (R), who sponsored the gun bill vetoed by the governor. "It's kind of disappointing, because we're going to see this year that Brewer is not a conservative."
4. The GOP is sick of the "nutty right"
Brewer's veto is a key sign that "a large portion of the GOP" is ready to dump its "deranged, self-destructive girlfriend" — the birther movement, says Carmel Lobello at Death + Taxes. Coming from a governor who "seems to loathe anyone born outside of the U.S. (as well as the children of immigrants)," the veto "speak volumes about a growing fracture in the Republican Party."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why au pairs might become a thing of the past
Under The Radar Brexit and wage ruling are threatening the 'mutually beneficial arrangement'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published