CONFIRM MCPHERSON QUICKLY, FOR GOOD OF STATE.

Byline: David W. Fleming Local View

MOST people are aware of the problems that forced former Secretary of State Kevin Shelley to resign, but not aware of how urgently his nominated successor, Bruce McPherson, needs to be confirmed.

Only a few years ago, the state of California led the nation in election reform and modernization. Today we may be unable to meet the minimum federal guidelines and standards for the upcoming 2006 elections.

Some of the areas that must be addressed immediately under federal law include the statewide replacing of punch-card voting systems, the requirement of a paper record of every election ballot cast and the establishment of a federally mandated database throughout the state that will ensure that only eligible voters are able to cast ballots.

For these reasons the federal government has been withholding money that local election officials desperately need to modernize equipment, train staff and educate voters. That's why the Legislature must move quickly to confirm McPherson and restore the integrity of the Secretary of State's Office. The job will not be easy, but McPherson has shown himself to be a proven bipartisan leader who can not only restore the integrity of the office but get the job done.

A majority of the Legislature is only aware of the urgency in selecting a successor to Shelley, and its members have said so. Now it is imperative that they not allow partisan politics to impede the confirmation process.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez has committed to providing McPherson with a fair confirmation hearing. It is up to him and his colleagues to follow through. The issue is not one of Democrats vs. Republicans. Rather, it is about upholding the cornerstone of democracy through the assurance of fair elections.

Since McPherson's nomination, there has been broad public and political support for his appointment. His moderate political record gives assurance that, unlike his predecessor, he will not pursue any particular political agenda. The exercise of the office should bear no allegiance to party affiliation. It is this fact that makes McPherson the perfect candidate for the office.

McPherson was elected numerous times to the state Assembly and Senate as a Republican from the liberal Santa Cruz area. That underscores the trust that he has engendered with people of all political stripes.

A state as large and diverse as California has many competing interests.

McPherson is someone who has been able to forge strong and lasting relationships with members on both sides of the aisle, a testament to the fact that he is an independent thinker that makes decisions based on merit rather than party loyalty and whose word is his bond.

California cannot tolerate a politicized confirmation process. McPherson should not be viewed by Democrats as a political opportunity to punish Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and flex their muscle. The only consideration should be whether McPherson can ably execute the duties of the office.

McPherson's moderate record should make his confirmation simple and quick and thereby restore the public's faith in California's secretary of state.