Monday, November 17, 2014

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon Won't Say Whether The Buck Stops With Him In Ferguson Protests
Police in Ferguson attacking the people.
Posted: 11/17/2014 9:30 pm EST

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) on Monday couldn't answer a question asking who's in charge of policing protests that may flare when a grand jury decides whether to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for the death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.

St. Louis County has 90 municipalities, and none seemed in accountable for the police response to often turbulent protests that followed Brown's shooting in August. As the grand jury nears a decision and activists prepare for new protests, Nixon on Monday ordered a state of emergency and activated the National Guard -- but didn't put state law enforcement in charge.

Missouri's most famous politician -- former President Harry Truman -- popularized the phrase, "The buck stops here." But in a conference call on Monday, Nixon fumbled when asked whether the buck stops with him on policing a new round of protests.

“Well I mean, we’re, um, it, uh, it, uh, you know -- our goal here is to, is to, is to -- you know, keep the peace and allow folks’ voices to be heard,” Nixon said on the call. "I don't spend a tremendous amount of time personalizing this vis-a-vis me.

“I’d prefer not to be a commentator on it,” he added.

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