Holden blames economy for Republican election-day victories

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Democratic Gov. Bob Holden blamed the national economy for Republican victories in the Missouri Legislature, adding he shares voters' concerns and is willing to work with the new GOP leadership.

But Holden on Thursday rejected suggestions that the Republicans' first full legislative majority since 1948 was an indication that voters were upset with him.

"I don't think it's as much a record on any one governor, it was really a record and a feeling about what's going on with this national economy," Holden said during his first news conference since Tuesday's elections.

Holden cited Democratic victories in Kansas and Illinois for positions previously held by Republicans. He said because Democrats had controlled the Missouri House, they fell victim to the public's general desire for change.

"The people of Missouri did send a message regarding their concerns about the economy, and I heard it," Holden said in prepared remarks while surrounded by Democratic lawmakers. "But I did not hear them say they do not support our goals."

The Missouri Republican Party tried to make Holden an issue in the election, sending mailings in legislative races linking Democratic candidates to Holden -- in some cases, saying it was time for voters to reject both the Democratic candidate and Holden.

The governor's office is not up for election until 2004. Asked Thursday if he intended to seek another term, Holden said only: "I'm not prepared to make a statement today, but I won't discount it at all."

The "Holden the Governor" committee had about $480,000 on hand as of the end of September.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder suggested that the GOP's gains were a reflection on Holden.

"There is a vacuum of leadership in the executive branch and when leadership is exerted it is exerted in the wrong direction," said Kinder of Cape Girardeau.

Holden called Kinder's comments "more political rhetoric."

When the legislative session begins in January, Republicans will hold a 90-73 majority over Democrats in the House and a 20-14 majority in the Senate.

Holden said the Missouri budget was facing a $500 million shortfall for the next fiscal year, a slightly higher projection than he has previously stated.

Many Republican lawmakers had campaigned on the need for smaller government, pointing to years of growth that has lifted Missouri's budget to about $19 billion.

"It's easy to say our government must be smaller and to make a generic call for cuts," Holden said. "The time for sound bites is over. The time for action is now."

Republican Rep. Catherine Hanaway, her party's nominee for speaker, said she is ready to work with Holden, with whom she clashed earlier this year over the budget. Holden said he talked with Hanaway on Wednesday, congratulating her on her victory.

"We both agreed we had a good personal relationship and that we have had differences but that they had been principled disagreements about issues," Hanaway said. "I suspect we will continue to have principled disagreements, but we have to work together."

Meanwhile Thursday, Senate Republicans and Democrats in both chambers picked their leadership teams.

Republicans re-nominated Kinder to his post and Sen. Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood to become majority leader, replacing term-limited Sen. Bill Kenney of Lee's Summit. Republicans also nominated Sen. Anita Yeckel of St. Louis as assistant majority leader.

Kinder said the increased Republican majority in the Senate would give the GOP more flexibility in pushing its agenda.

Senate Democrats nominated Sen. Ken Jacob of Columbia as the minority leader, replacing Sen. Ed Quick of Liberty who has two years remaining in the Senate. Sen. Maida Coleman of St. Louis was nominated as assistant minority leader.

Jacob said that fewer Democrats in the Senate means the party would have to stress its differences with Republicans.

House Democrats nominated Rep. Mark Abel of Festus as their minority leader and Rep. Bill Ransdall of Waynesville as his assistant.

"We will be the loyal opposition," Abel said. "Our party still has an agenda that we want to advance."

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On the Net

Gov. Bob Holden:

www.gov.state.mo.us

Legislature:

www.moga.state.mo.us