Time to Go?

So I've come to several conclusions about Kathleen Kane's time as Attorney General, but one is clear- I increasingly see no pathway to re-election. Regardless of our opinions on Kane's various issues, I don't see how she will gather the donors, much less keep the public confidence, that she needs to win in 2016. The debt to her estranged husband, her deep problems in Philadelphia, and her potential trial make things impossible. Her next million dollars raised is probably going to her husband before the divorce (for the practical matter of splitting their personal assets, her campaign probably needs to re-pay him sooner than later). She's the head law enforcement official in the state, and is facing a potential trial for violating a court order, as stupid as it may sound. She failed to take on a case that the Philadelphia DA took on and is getting convictions.

At this point, it doesn't matter what we think of each case. The sum of the parts is a political death sentence. Kathleen Kane probably can't beat a good Republican, and could/probably would lose a primary. If she stays on and seeks another term, she's harming the party. I'm not going to weigh in on who should replace her, because we have time for that. I'm going to weigh in on the timing. Given the cloud over her, and the potential to harm Governor Wolf's opening days in office, Kathleen Kane should leave office if she is officially charged. She won't be able to carry out her duties publicly at that point. An Attorney General must be above reproach, and well, one who is charged is not. We're not there yet, and things could break her way, but Attorney General Kathleen Kane needs to be helped off of stage if we get there. Democratic leaders should help retire her debt, they should push for the best deal possible, but they should not let her be a sideshow in what is likely to be a tough year in Harrisburg for the party.