Keeping connected Matt Blunt juggling jobs as secretary of stat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- "SOS" has dual meanings for Matt Blunt: It's the familiar ship-in-distress signal when he's serving as a U.S. Naval Reserve lieutenant, and it's the acronym for his elected civilian job -- Missouri's secretary of state.

Blunt, 31, juggles both full-time jobs as the nation's only statewide elected official called to active military service -- overseas at that -- after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Unless his one-year activation ends early, Blunt expects to be out of Missouri during most of the 2002 election year, an annoyance for a Republican who ran on a platform of election reform.

"I'd much rather be in Missouri, but I made it no secret when I ran for secretary of state in 2000 that I was active in the reserves," Blunt said by telephone from a Royal Air Force base outside London. "I never thought I would be back on active duty, but unexpected things happen."

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Blunt's active-duty resume included service in engineering, navigation and administrative roles aboard ships during the United Nations blockade of Haiti, the interdiction of Cuban migrants and anti-drug missions off South America.

After his Naval service, Blunt -- the son of U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt -- served a single term in the Missouri House of Representatives before winning his first statewide race, for secretary of state. He's been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor.

Operations and security

But for now, Blunt's day job is as an assistant operations and security officer, a role added at the British base after Sept. 11. Blunt, who stays in a nearby apartment, repeatedly downplayed his role in the response to terrorism.

"I don't want you to go away from this interview thinking I am in any way sacrificing as much as many others," he said. "But I am very proud to serve my country in uniform."

When he goes off duty -- usually around lunchtime in Missouri -- Blunt shifts from middle management to boss, running his elected office through e-mails, conference calls and personal letters.

Day-to-day management is handled by Dan Ross, executive deputy secretary of state. Missouri law gives Ross, 51, a veteran state agency official, considerable authority as delegated by Blunt.

"I like to joke that I can tell when Matt has wrapped up his fight against Osama bin Laden for the day because that's when the e-mails start pouring in to the secretary of state's office," Ross quipped.

Technology keeps Blunt connected. "I have a great deal of confidence in the staff to carry out my vision and priorities," he said after finishing a conference call with Ross and other division directors.

During the 25-minute call, Blunt was briefed about the progress of election legislation, his office's proposed budget and a local issue in Clay County in suburban Kansas City.

The secretary of state has limited constitutional authority, including serving as protector and custodian of the Great Seal of Missouri plus signing and filing official paperwork. State law makes the secretary of state responsible for certifying election results, although county clerks actually conduct elections.

Will commend him

State Republicans plan to vote on a resolution commending Blunt for his military service.

Democrats have been silent about Blunt's absence.

David Webber, a University of Missouri-Columbia political science professor, said partisans have little ammunition to throw at Blunt so far.

"The key will be how he handles demands when it's time to compromise and haggle about legislation," Webber said, "or other challenges that need his direct involvement."