Missouri Gov. Gives Incoherent Answer on Whether Buck Stops with Him in Ferguson
Missouri’s Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon was unable to provide a straight answer when asked whether he bears responsibility for what happens in Ferguson, Mo., now that he has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.
His decision came in anticipation of the grand jury decision whether or not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the August shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
Asked Monday evening by a Huffington Post reporter whether he would take responsibility for the protests and police response that follow the jury decision, Nixon provided a lengthy, incoherent ramble of an answer.
“Does the buck ultimately stop with you?” Huffington Post reporter Matthew Sledge asked in conference call audio posted online by The Guardian reporter Jon Swaine.
What followed was a one-minute response that failed to answer the question.
“I don’t, you know, I’m more, I just will have to say I don’t spend a tremendous amount of time personalizing this vis a vis me,” the governor said at one point. “I’m trying to make sure that we move forward in a predictable, peaceful manner that plans for all contingencies that might occur.”
He continued: “I prefer not to be a commentator on it. I’m making decisions to make sure that we’re all prepared for all contingencies. And I think this is another step, positive, and you know, positive, predictable step towards preparing for any contingencies.”
Pressed further on who will bear responsibility, Nixon continued to demur.
Listen below, via Swaine:
[h/t TPM]
