Only a few weeks ago, that would have seemed unnecessary since Blunt was apparently on his way to running for re-election and Kinder had no opposition on the GOP side, but that all changed when Blunt announced he would not run for a second term and set off a merry-go-round of political ambition.
Kinder was the first to declare for governor, followed by Rep. Kenny Hulshof and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Party bigwigs pressured Kinder to drop out of the race in favor of Hulshof and he eventually caved to that pressure.
Unfortunately, when Kinder entered the governor's race, he talked former Rep. Jack Jackson, who narrowly lost the GOP nomination for state auditor to Sandra Thomas in August 2006, into running for lieutenant governor.
After Kinder decided to back out of the race for the governor's mansion, he gave Jackson five minutes notice, then made the announcement, something that did not sit well with Jackson, who has elected to stay in the race despite Kinder's re-entry:
(Blunt) also suggested that it would be good if Jack Jackson were to bow out of the Lt. Governor's race.
"He's a patriot, a veteran...I've had lots of good conversations with Jack Jackson throughout the months and years, but I've said I'm very firmly committed to re-electing Peter Kinder as the Lt. Governor of the state of Missouri," Blunt said.
A spokesman for Jackson said he's staying in the race.
I get so tired of the tendency of both Republicans and Democrats to discourage competition for positions. No wonder voters complain constantly and correctly about not having any choice.
1 comment:
I hope Blunt's endorsement helps Kinder as much as it helped Romney.
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