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Another would-be GOP candidate for Missouri governor bites the dust

I have to say, if we had a monarchy in this country, things would be much easier than our forms of elected government at all levels, that's for sure. (Okay, I realize some government officials are appointed, not elected. But you get what I mean.)

In Missouri, for example, life would be so much simpler for the Republican Party if Gov. Matt Blunt had a succession plan in place when he announced last month that he wasn't running for reelection. He cited personal reasons, saying that he had accomplished everything he wanted to accomplish as governor and that he wanted to spend his time with his family. Though the first statement seemed a bit arrogant to those of us who live here, the second was certainly legit and reasonable. (Liberal Democrat that I am, I'll be happy to see him go for many reasons.)

But, lacking that succession plan for a political heir apparent, Blunt threw the post wide open and now all the state's Republicans are scrambling -- scrambling to see who WON'T have to run for governor. Oh, there have been a couple announce they want to try for the job, but just today our local paper ran a story that current Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder "shocked" the state's Republican faithful by announcing he will not run for governor. Instead, he'll seek reelection to lieutenant governor. Good that he has not-so-lofty goals, I guess.

I'd like to say that Attorney General Jay Nixon, the presumptive Democratic candidate for governor of Missouri, was so terrific that all the Republicans fear to face him in the general election. I'd like to say that, but I honestly can't. I'll vote for him as the best option out there. I'm not convinced he's a great choice, but he certainly beats the Republican few who will be running against him. The few who aren't too busy running AWAY from him, that is.

Ah, what do I know? I'm just a guy who reads the papers and wouldn't want to run for any political office myself. Can you see this headline? What do you think:

"Blogger announces he is one more Missourian who will not be seeking the Republican nod in state's hardly fought governor's race."

Hey, I kind of like that. Hmmm ...
[tags]Missouri governorship, Republican candidates, Democratic candidate, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]

February 9, 2008 | Filed Under Political News