Former Indiana Secretary of State Ousted From Office

Indiana's former Secretary of State Charlie White was charged with six felony convictions and sentenced to one year of home detention. The charges ranged from perjury to theft. With Judge Steven Nation refusing to reduce the felony charges to misdemeanors, White loses his job because Indiana law states that citizens being charged with felonies cannot hold office.

White was ultimately fined $1,000 and must serve 30 hours of community service in addition to his year long home detention. With these felony charges potential sentences of six months to three years in jail, White seems to be getting off rather easy. What are your thoughts on this?

Furthermore, with White's job in question, the issue of replacing him has arisen. Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed Jerry Bonnet, White's chief deputy, as the interim secretary of state and it seems that it will turn into a permanent appointment if White's charges are not reduced. However, the Democrats believe that White never should have taken office and that Vop Osili, the runner-up in the election, should take office.

Do you agree or disagree with Nation's decision not to reduce White's charges? What do you think about White's sentence? What about the process to replace White if the situation calls for it?