Post-Dispatch: Blunt, Bond aides trying to build consensus around Hulshof

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports aides to Gov. Matt Blunt and Sen. Kit Bond are trying to form a consensus around Congressman Kenny Hulshof as the replacement for Blunt, who announced last week he would not seek re-election.
The only problem with that is two other candidates with name recognition, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman have already entered the race and show no signs of backing out:

Hulshof almost ran for governor in 2004 but was nudged out when party leaders favored Blunt.

Because he has been in Washington and not Jefferson City, it would be harder to blame him for the Medicaid cuts that have caused Blunt problems in the polls. Also, Hulshof, a lawyer, has a squeaky-clean image, with no scandals on his record.

GOP leaders believe he would have a strong chance of beating the presumed Democratic candidate, Attorney General Jay Nixon, in the November general election.