What's a lieutenant governor to do?

The irony is as delicious as a mint julep on a hot day.

Ky. State Sen. Julian Carroll, ardent Democrat and former governor, stood in the Statehouse Thursday and denounced Republican Lt. Gov. Steve Pence as disloyal to his party.

Carroll’s umbrage was raised by Pence saying a few days earlier that he (Pence) would not support Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher, his running mate four years ago, for re-election.
Pence’s denunciation of the scandal-plagued Fletcher is hardly unique; plenty of other big-name Republicans are ready to dump Fletcher over the investigation into the administration’s hiring practices.

Carroll’s outrage is prompted by his belief that if a lieutenant governor is anything less than a yes-man to the chief executive, he isn’t worth his salary.

Since breaking with Fletcher, Pence “has nothing to do,” Carroll cried. “It is past time that he show at least some humility, that he show at least some character, and offer his resignation to the governor of Kentucky as lieutenant governor,” Carroll shouted. “He has nothing to do.”

Pence and Fletcher were elected in 2004 as the first Republican administration in Kentucky in 30 years. Pence said he has no intention of stepping down before the end of his term in December. Earlier this week he endorsed U.S. Rep. Ann Northup of Louisville for the Republican nomination.

Carroll can rant all he wants. But Pence is right to say he was elected in his own right, not just as an appendage to Fletcher.

Carroll might better serve the voters by seeking to pass a law that gives the lieutenant governor something more meaningful to do than sit around being the governor’s loyal (or disloyal) toady.