TIME: Almanac 1990/1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso/time/caps/88/88capmil.10

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An Impeachment Vote in Arizona

February 15, 1988

Mecham faces an ouster

Arizona Governor Evan Mecham has attained what most politicians only
dream of:  nationwide name recognition.  In his case, it has been a
painful accomplishment.  Already lampooned as a right-wing ideologue
and bigot, the Governor again made headlines last Friday when the
Arizona house voted to hold an impeachment trial.  That decision came
just four days after state officials announced that a recall election
would be held this May--the result of a voter petition.  The big
question in Arizona these days is whether the former Pontiac dealer
will be removed from office by the state senate, ousted by the
voters, convicted on any six felony indictments in a criminal case,
or will simply throw in the towel and resign.

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 on all charges, and face a
criminal trial in March.

The 46-to-14 vote for impeachment followed a report last month by
Special Counsel William French, who confirmed the grand jury's
findings.  French also accused the Governor of illegally borrowing
$80,000 in public money and attempting to stifle a criminal
investigation into allegations that a death threat was made against
one of his former aides.

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 in May.

Last summer he branded the recall movement as the work of a "few
homosexuals and dissident Democrats."  He toned down his rhetoric
after more than 300,000 voters signed the recall petition.

In his 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 reemerged,
telling a startled audience how a group of Japanese "got round eyes"
when they discussed golf.  Embarrassed Arizona could only hope that
the end is in sight.

--By Jon D. Hull/Phoenix


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Mecham Wins One

June 27, 1988

Late April, Evan Mecham became the first U.S. Governor to be
impeached in 59 years.  Last week it looked as if the impolitic
Arizona politician might also be facing a prison term.  But after a
little more than six hours of deliberation, a jury acquitted Mecham
and his brother Willard of charges that they violated election laws
by concealing a $350,000 campaign loan.

While Mecham no longer faces criminal charges, few expect a quick
revival of his tattered political career.  His acquittal in no way
affects his earlier impeachment, which was based on two unrelated
charges:  misusing state funds and trying to thwart an investigation
of a death threat.  Said Prosecutor Barnett Lotstein, explaining the
case's outcome:  "A lot of people in this community feel that he has
suffered enough."