EX-CHIEFS QB STUMPS FOR GOP NOMINATION

The quarterback may be the focal point and get all of the applause, but he accomplishes nothing without the support of his teammates.

Former Kansas City Chiefs passer and current state Sen. Bill Kenney hopes to cull enough support from fellow Missouri Republicans to lead the party back into the governor's mansion in 1996.

"Polls show Mel Carnahan can be beaten," Kenney said, "and I can beat him."

The freshman senator from Lee's Summit spoke in Cape Girardeau Thursday at an informal luncheon attended by about 40 local Republicans.

Despite being a newcomer to the political arena, Kenney, who was first elected to public office in 1994, believes the contrast between his conservative ideology and the policies of the Democratic governor can make him the winner.

"I believe in being up front with people," Kenney said. "Let them know what you're going to do and then do it."

Among his goals if elected are to decrease the size of state government, which he sees as bloated and intrusive, and to reduce taxes.

He said Carnahan lied to voters in 1992 when he pledged to reduce taxes and instead raised them immensely. Kenney plans to campaign hard against what he views as the liberal agenda.

"I will portray Mel Carnahan as Bill Clinton and Bill Clinton as Mel Carnahan because they are one in the same," Kenney.

As to his own view on taxes, Kenney said the "only kind of tax reform is tax relief."

A drastic reduction of taxes would by necessity require a reduction in state spending and the elimination of certain state responsibilities. That's fine with Kenney, who believes there are many aspects of government which could be privitized.

"I don't care if I cut back on government services," Kenney said. "Honestly folks, if you cut back 10 percent of government you wouldn't notice."

Even though Carnahan authorized a huge tax increase under Senate Bill 380, the Outstanding Schools Act, he still enjoys strong popular support.

"Eighty-four percent of people blame the Legislature for raising taxes and that was Carnahan's bill," Kenney said.

However, the governor has alienated enough people -- including pro-life and pro-gun ownership voters who Kenney hopes to woo -- that he is far from invulnerable.

Kenney also plans to make crime a major issue. He said criminals too often aren't held accountable for their actions. That trend must be reversed to preserve a safe society, he said.

He supports reintroducing chain gangs, as a handful of states have done recently, as a way to embarrass offenders.

"Frankly, I don't care if it hurts their feelings," he said.

Kenney announced his bid for the Republican nomination Oct. 26 during a fund-raising dinner in Kansas City. The event raised $162,000, an impressive figure considering a new state campaign law allows only a maximum donation of $300 per person.

"It's an uphill battle but, Bill knows uphill battles," said Sen. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, who introduced his colleague during Thursday's luncheon.

Kenney hopes to raise at least $750,000. If he can meet that goal, he hopes to discourage State Auditor Margaret Kelly from declaring her candidacy and avoid a battle for the GOP nomination. Kelly has indicated she will run but is holding off a formal announcement until February or March.

"Margaret Kelly is probably not much different than I am on approach," Kenney said. "The one big difference is I will go out there and work my tail off to win this race."

Kenney played in the National Football League from 1979 to 1989, spending all but his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a Pro Bowl Selection in 1983. Since leaving football he has been involved in ranching and real estate.

Kenney plays up his status as a relative political unknown.

"That's a benefit," he said. "I think people will look at that and think it's great."