The epitome of political ‘flip-flopping’ in the CNMI

Froilan C. Tenorio, Democrat and fourth governor for the CNMI from 1994 to 1998, recently conveyed to the media that “he is a NMI Democrat but believes in the principles of the U.S. Republican Party.” In addition, he indicated that, “We need a Republican in the White House,” and, if he could, he would cast his vote for George W. Bush in the upcoming national election to be held on Nov. 2, 2004.

Tenorio also stated to the media that his administration “was under constant attack” by the Clinton administration and several ranking Democrats in both houses of the U.S. Congress and that the U.S. Republicans were the ones who helped Tenorio during his tenure as CNMI governor manage and keep control of immigration and minimum wage.

Perhaps the primary reason why Tenorio was not on good terms or in good stead with President Clinton and all of the other ranking Democrats in both houses of Congress was for the simple reason that he espoused “Republican principles” and, at the same time, was a bona fide registered Democrat and sitting governor for the CNMI. Clearly, this paradox did not sit well with the Democrats in Washington D.C. and as a result, they made it evident that they were not going to get behind a Democratic governor who indicated publicly a desire to break from the “Democratic party philosophy” and openly lend support to the Republican Party.

Tenorio’s recent proclamation to the media on Oct. 18, 2004, included some remarks about Juan Babauta’s Democratic friends in Washington, e.g., former president Bill Clinton, Senators Kennedy, Inouye, Akaka and former delegate to Guam Robert Underwood. He also alluded to Babauta being responsible for the local Republican Party becoming affiliated with the National Republican Party and that the local Republican Party is “anti-business” just like the mainland Democratic Party. And he also stated that the local Republican Party believes that getting the local government involved with strictly business affairs, e.g., Babauta’s interference with the Verizon, transaction is acceptable.

Prior to and during Tenorio’s term as CNMI governor, Juan Babauta was in Washington D.C. in the capacity of CNMI Representative. While he was the designated representative, he made it evident that his friends were, e.g., Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK). Babauta publicly supported Miller’s legislation (HR 2661 that would apply the federal minimum wage to the NMI, implement a federal takeover of the CNMI’s immigration system and eliminate the Commonwealth’s trade benefits with the United States). He also publicly revered Miller by pointing out to the media that he was “a genuine champion of human rights.”

Babauta also publicly supported Murkowski’s bill SB 507 advocating federal takeover. In July 2001, Babauta, while in Washington D.C., made suggestions to improve the bill and increase its chances of passing.

Along with making it known to the island community and Washington D.C. community what politicians he favored, Babauta made it evident what his stance was on several issues. His open support for George Miller’s push to apply the federal minimum wage to the CNMI is a clear indication of supporting “Democratic principles,” which believes in assisting the working and middle-class in the quest to improve their quality of life. Since that time, Babauta’s position regarding “wage hikes” is still the same. In April 2004, he submitted a proposal for the second time to increase the minimum wage to the 14th Legislature. An attempt by Babauta to convince the 13th Legislature to accept his wage hike proposal was made but to no avail.

At the time Babauta submitted his wage hike proposal to the 14th Legislature in April 2004, he, according to what he told the media, anchored his argument on the need for an increase in the minimum wage on three distinct points: The high unemployment rate among local residents and the need to change the prevailing wage structure to attract them to the private sector; to encourage nonresident workers to spend more of their money locally, stemming the outflow of dollar remittances; to get the CNMI up to par with other states and jurisdictions in terms of minimum wage levels for entry-level positions.

If one goes back to the time when Juan Nekai Babauta was CNMI Representative in Washington D.C. during the 1990’s, we can see that he was clearly “for” a higher federalized minimum wage despite the ostensible fact that the CNMI’s local businesses were struggling to “stay in the black” and remain conducting business for the entire island community, as well as the visiting tourists. When Babauta made the decision to vie for the gubernatorial slot for the CNMI in 2000, he shifted his position regarding the proposed CNMI minimum wage hike by the U.S. Congress and campaigned hard in opposition to the wage increase proposal.

Subsequent to Babauta becoming the sixth CNMI governor, he submitted to the 13th and 14th Legislature his Integrated Fiscal Proposal that would essentially raise taxes and fees. Specifically, the increases would result in a $15 million revenue increase and enable the $228 million budget Babauta proposed to “become achievable” if the proposed tax hikes were acted on by the Legislature.

Babauta submitted a breakdown what the IFP would entail; it is as follows: 10 percent reduction in rebates, $3.42 million; 7 percent increase in user’s fees, $5.9 million; $100 increase in nonresident worker’s fees, $3.1 million; driver’s license/vehicle related fee increases, $2.1 million; and a 1 percent increase in hotel occupancy tax, $490,000. All of these increases, according to Babauta, would “revitalize” the economy.

The raising of “taxes” to improve social programs and provide for more to be done for the working class is an integral part of the Democratic philosophy and principles. Republicans, on the other hand, are noted for “cutting taxes” to give more money back to their constituents so that they can spend it and help grow the economy. Clearly, Babauta has demonstrated that he is an ardent supporter and proponent for the principles indicative of the Democratic Party.

Democrats and Republicans have distinctly different perspectives in terms of how they view government, the electorate, the environment, education, and the economy. Notwithstanding major philosophical and platform differences between the two parties, the individuals who are elected into office oftentimes become friends because of a common thread in terms of “core values” and philosophy regarding the people who comprise the electorate. It is not uncommon to see a prominent Democrat, e.g., John Kerry, and a prominent Republican, e.g., John McCain, work on producing legislation collectively.

Being friends with someone affiliated with another party and working on some legislation that will be “for the greater good” is not the same as deviating from “party philosophy” and/or lines. Whenever an individual breaks from what their party espouses, then the “trust factor” of other party members becomes an issue simply because you are not certain whether or not you can depend on their “loyalty” and “commitment” to the party.

During the national conventions for the Democrats and Republicans, there was an “unprecedented” move that took place. Zell Miller (D-GA) made a keynote presentation at the Republican National Convention and lambasted John Kerry and the Democrats who followed and openly supported him. Not only did Miller break the “cardinal rule” of breaking with party lines, but he also stepped “across the line” by indicating that a Democratic presidential candidate was not a good choice for the registered Democrats throughout the United States. Needless to say, Miller is no longer considered a welcome Democrat by the Democrats in Georgia, as well as throughout the rest of the United States.

A recent incident involving breaking “party lines” on a particular issue took place in California with GOP governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gov. Schwarzenegger announced in Carmel, California that he would support wholeheartedly “embryonic stem cell research” to help with the advancement of eliminating debilitating diseases like “Parkinson’s” and victims that have been paralyzed like the actor Christopher Reeves. Schwarzenegger’s announcement came on the heels of the support for the research by the late Ronald Reagan’s wife Nancy and son Ron. Both of these individuals were staunch Republicans during Ronald Reagan’s life and throughout the time he had Parkinson’s.

When the Republicans turned their back on Nancy and her son, they made the decision to move toward supporting the Democrats and made profound speeches at the Democratic National Convention in support of the research and advancement of embryonic stem cell research funding and activity.

The public announcement of Froilan C. Tenorio espousing the Republican Party principles and George W. Bush for President makes it evident that the Democratic Party should remove Tenorio as chairman and replace him with someone who is a “genuine” Democrat supporting Democratic Party principles. On the other hand, since Juan Babauta is presumably a Republican who consistently demonstrates philosophical tendencies reflecting the Democratic Party, i.e., raising taxes and minimum wages, then perhaps he should contemplate on leaving the Republican Party and become a member of the Democratic Party. If both the former and current governor decides to remain in their respective parties and continue to do what they are doing, then they should not be offended if someone should describe it as the “essence of political flip-flopping.”

The electorate judge politicians for a number of reasons. One of the things that most registered voters have in common with respect to politicians is how they feel about the individual they elected and their view on how “sincere” and “consistent” they have been in terms of adhering to party principles and legislation that will have a positive impact on the business sector, as well as the entire community and the electorate who comprise it. Generally speaking, the consequence of politicians being inconsistent, opportunistic, and “playing both sides against the middle,” is the electorate casting their vote for someone other than them.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California