The republican woman democrat Governor Tom Vilsack picked to serve on the state Racing and Gaming Commission may not get the job. The Senate State Government Committee yesterday refused to endorse former Cedar Rapids Mayor Lee Clancey’s nomination. Committee chairman Steve King, a republican from Kiron, says Clancey was a traitor to the G-O-P when she endorsed Al Gore shortly before the 2000 election. King says you have to earn credit and credibility in small increments throughout your career. He says any move you make in your career jeopardizes that credibility and credit.King says Clancey’s very public support of Gore showed bad judgment on her part. King says judgment is important in anyone who’s setting public policy. He says Clancey’s endorsement came at an important time in the campaign and could’ve made a difference in the outcome.King says up to 21 republican senators are prepared to vote “no” on Clancey, which would doom her nomination. Clancey-backer Mary Lundby, a republican state Senator from Marion, hopes to convince some of those republicans to change their minds on Clancey. Lundby says the job of racing commissioner has nothing to do with partisan politics. Lundby says Clancey’s quite qualified for the job, as she knows the issues, is educated, smart, and stands up for what she believes.The State Government Committee voted to forward Clancey’s nomination to the full Senate “without recommendation” and she’s presently five votes short of gaining confirmation in the Senate. Clancey lost her own re-election bid last November.
