Vilsack 'mock veto' provides civil rights lesson to students
By Dan Gearino Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Thursday, April 14, 2005
DES MOINES -- A group of Iowa high schoolers got lessons on civil rights and veto power Wednesday from Gov. Tom Vilsack.
The 19 students, who submitted mock bills to the governor for a school program, had voted to ban questions about race on state college applications -- a proposal Vilsack slapped with a mock veto.
"I'm troubled by this bill, not because you arrived at it, but because I haven't done my job," he said, gathered with the students in a Statehouse conference room.
Vilsack gave a mini-lecture on why he supports affirmative action and blamed himself and other adults for not doing enough to teach young people about the civil rights movement. He said the Democratic Party did the right thing in the 1960s by embracing civil rights, even though it continues to hurt the party in the South.
At one point, Vilsack singled out the one black student. "Candidly, honestly, he's at a disadvantage," Vilsack said.
Afterwards, the student, Robert Nichols, 16, of Ottumwa, who actually voted for the bill, said he wasn't offended for being singled out. He said Vilsack's speech showed why the bill is probably a bad idea.
"I thought things wouldn't matter, race wouldn't matter, but the governor made a really good point about the civil rights story," Nichols said.
Tayna Gardner, 17, of Ottumwa was disappointed with the veto. "I see everyone on the same playing field and I don't think they should be questioned on college applications. We're all equal and it should be based solely on academics," she said.
The mock veto gave Vilsack an opportunity to deal with an issue he otherwise won't face this year in a state that is more than 90 percent white. The Legislature, where there is a near-deadlock between the parties, has steered clear of most hot-button issues.
However, the governor will need to have something to say about race as he continues to raise his national profile, fueling rumors he may run for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
The students are participants in the Capitol Project, which selects high schoolers from across the state to spend three days at the Statehouse learning about the political process. In addition to the vetoed bill, Vilsack signed a mock bill placing limits on smoking in restaurants.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net
The 19 students, who submitted mock bills to the governor for a school program, had voted to ban questions about race on state college applications -- a proposal Vilsack slapped with a mock veto.
"I'm troubled by this bill, not because you arrived at it, but because I haven't done my job," he said, gathered with the students in a Statehouse conference room.
Vilsack gave a mini-lecture on why he supports affirmative action and blamed himself and other adults for not doing enough to teach young people about the civil rights movement. He said the Democratic Party did the right thing in the 1960s by embracing civil rights, even though it continues to hurt the party in the South.
At one point, Vilsack singled out the one black student. "Candidly, honestly, he's at a disadvantage," Vilsack said.
Afterwards, the student, Robert Nichols, 16, of Ottumwa, who actually voted for the bill, said he wasn't offended for being singled out. He said Vilsack's speech showed why the bill is probably a bad idea.
"I thought things wouldn't matter, race wouldn't matter, but the governor made a really good point about the civil rights story," Nichols said.
Tayna Gardner, 17, of Ottumwa was disappointed with the veto. "I see everyone on the same playing field and I don't think they should be questioned on college applications. We're all equal and it should be based solely on academics," she said.
The mock veto gave Vilsack an opportunity to deal with an issue he otherwise won't face this year in a state that is more than 90 percent white. The Legislature, where there is a near-deadlock between the parties, has steered clear of most hot-button issues.
However, the governor will need to have something to say about race as he continues to raise his national profile, fueling rumors he may run for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
The students are participants in the Capitol Project, which selects high schoolers from across the state to spend three days at the Statehouse learning about the political process. In addition to the vetoed bill, Vilsack signed a mock bill placing limits on smoking in restaurants.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net
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