A balanced article on a controversy in the re-election race of Speaker of the House Rod Jetton appeared in today's Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian.
Reporter Rudi Keller detailed a complaint by Democrat challenger Mike Winder about Jetton's campaign tactics, which actually seem pretty mild when compared to some we have seen over the years.
Jetton criticized the out-of-state union contributions that Winder has received (far from enough to erase the speaker's fundraising lead). Winder said this violated an agreement not to go negative in the campaign.
Keller offered both sides and went through Jetton's campaign contributions over the past couple of years. The article was well done.
What makes it tough for the Southeast Missourian (and what probably needs to be mentioned) is that one of Jetton's contributors, to the tune of $300, and remember there are still campaign contribution limits until Jan. 1, was Gary Rust, owner of the Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian.
Publishers who want to play a role in politics make it tough for their reporters.
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A few thoughts about Jetton's fundraising. While he has the same business-oriented list of PACS and out-of-state interests that many of his Republican colleagues has, he also has perhaps the highest percentage of local contributors I have seen among Missouri's current GOP politicians. The man does have local financial support.
He also is one of the few who actually uses the term "lobbyist" under occupation for lobbyists who contribute to his campaign (I found three.) Many politicians either do not list an occupation, list the firm the lobbyist works for, or use a euphemism such as governmental consultant.
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