GOP LEADER WILL SUPPORT MULE EFFORT

POPLAR BLUFF -- One of the stumbling blocks in getting the mule designated the state's official animal has been its confusion with a donkey, the symbol of the Democratic Party.

Charles Woodford said that resemblance has been a problem in the past, and part of the process of winning approval in 1995 is convincing Republican legislators that the mule and donkey are different animals.

"The mule is an offspring of a mare and a jackass. They are related, but not the same thing," said Woodford.

Fortunately for proponents of the mule-recognition effort, the top Republican leader in the Missouri House of Representatives is a country boy and knows the difference.

"Anybody who grew up in rural Missouri knows the difference between a mule and a donkey," said Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, the House minority leader.

"I don't have any personal trepidation about confusion between the mule and donkey. The mule has played a very important role in the development of the state of Missouri."

Richardson admits some of his GOP colleagues might frown at the effort, but believes with education they might be supportive.

Woodford said concerns by Republicans are unfounded.

"Most people already think it is the state animal. Since everybody believes that already, and with perception being reality, what good has it done Democrats and what bad has it done Republicans?" asked Woodford.

While Richardson's support for the mule designation might be viewed by some as setting aside partisan differences, in reality there is no way he could get away with opposing any effort to honor the mule.

The mascot for Poplar Bluff High School is the mule.

Is Richardson nonpartisan or simply being politically correct in his legislative district?

Woodford is not concerned about Richardson's motives, he just needs his vote.

"I think the mule has been an important part of Missouri's history and is worthy of the designation as the official animal," said Richardson. "I would support it."