PubDef: Blunt withdraws State Board of Education appointment

PubDef reports today that Governor Matt Blunt has withdrawn his nomination of voucher supporter and former Rep. Derio Gambaro, D-St. Louis, to the State Board of Education.
This move continues the shell game the governor is playing with Missouri education. Gambaro has been serving on the board for the last few months after he was a recess appointment.
The governor withdrew his name due to the highly likely possibility that Sen. Jeff Smith, who has already vetoed one pro-voucher candidate, Donayle Whitmore-Smith, would also veto Gambaro, whom he defeated in 2006 to win his Senate seat.
Blunt is expected to reappoint Gambaro once the current special session is over, allowing him to serve at least until next January when the General Assembly is back in session:

Governor Matt Blunt’s office officially withdrew his nomination of Rick Sullivan as CEO of St. Louis Public Schools yesterday after Sullivan’s State Senator, Joan Bray, refused to sponsor his appointment.

Blunt also withdrew the name of his latest appointment to the Missouri Board of Education, former State Representative Derio Gambaro, after State Senator Jeff Smith also refused to support his appointment at this time.