Word: mecham
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...Arizona Senate convicted Gov. Evan Mecham yesterday of attempting to thwart a death-threat investigation and misusing funds, making him the first U.S. governor impeached and removed from office in 59 years...
...states that only a "male person" may occupy the offices of Governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general or superintendent of public instruction. The finding was all the more remarkable since Rose Mofford had taken office as acting Governor only one day earlier, following the impeachment of Governor Evan Mecham. "It seems that most people in Arizona are unaware that our constitution does not permit a woman to be Governor," testified Eighth Grader Justin Prahar, 13. "I feel it is essential that this be changed before someone decides to use it for political reasons." The lawmakers promptly voted to eliminate...
...Mecham, 63, stumbled into the spotlight early last year, when -- in his first major act as Governor -- he canceled the state's observation of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That move was followed up with a yearlong string of gaffes and biased statements that managed to alienate blacks, women, gays and, finally, the Governor's fellow Republicans. Mecham's reputation hit bottom last month, when he and his brother Willard were indicted by a state grand jury for willfully concealing a $350,000 loan made to his election campaign by a real estate developer. Both pleaded not guilty...
...During a combative appearance before the house last week, Mecham insisted he was innocent of any improprieties and complained that his family was being "pilloried, chastised and vilified." While the senate decides whether to remove Mecham permanently from office, Secretary of State Rose Mofford, a Democrat, will serve as acting Governor. So far, Mecham has insisted that resignation is out of the question. But even if he survives his legal challenges, he must still contend with the voters...
...State of the State address last month, Mecham made a rare attempt at contrition. "If I had to do it over, I would have realized earlier that style is sometimes as important as substance," he said. "How things are said is sometimes as important as what is said." Just one day later, the old Mecham promptly re-emerged, telling a startled audience how a group of Japanese "got round eyes" when they discussed golf. Embarrassed Arizonans could only hope that the end is in sight...