Top GOP hopefuls appear at Emerson gathering

Missouri voters have proved they are in tune with Republicans, the party's candidates for the state's top offices said Saturday.

The candidates joined U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and several hundred people at Emrson's ninth annual picnic at the Arena Building. All pointed to voters' overwhelming support of the marriage amendment on Aug. 3 as evidence that Missourians want leaders who share their values.

Catherine Hanaway, candidate for secretary of state; Matt Blunt, candidate for governor; Peter Kinder, running for lieutenant governor; Sarah Steelman, candidate for treasurer; and Chris Byrd, candidate for attorney general are also hoping that the state's rejection of a sitting governor means that voters are ready for even more change in Jefferson City. Gov. Bob Holden lost the primary to State Auditor Claire McCaskill.

Blunt, currently secretary of state, referred to his record of voter reform as evidence that he will also bring reform to the governor's office. He referred to Holden when he pledged to be a governor who "will truly make education a No. 1 priority and not a No. 1 political issue."

Blunt said he would never withdraw money already earmarked for schools, a reference to the yearlong dispute between Holden and the Republican legislature over education funding. Blunt also pledged his support of tort reform, shielding doctors from frivolous lawsuits.

"The American Medical Association lists Missouri as one of 18 crisis states," Blunt said. "There's no excuse for that."

Hanaway, the House speaker, wants to succeed Blunt as secretary of state, pledging to build on what Blunt already started, especially regarding voter reform. Like the other candidates, Hanaway said she sees voters leaning toward values that the Republican candidates are running on.

"It's not about me," she said of her candidacy. "It's about principles working together to put into government the values we stand up for. The voters said they believe marriage should be one man and one woman. They said no to expanded gambling in the state. They said to Bob Holden they don't want any tax increases. That's what we are fighting for."

Kinder said that all five candidates are pro-marriage, pro-family, pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. He believes Missourians feel the same way because that's how they have voted.

Since the lieutenant governor is an advocate for senior citizens, Kinder said, his experience with senior issues prepares him for the office. The first year the Republicans held the majority, he said, the SenioRx bill was passed, and just recently he supported legislation that would strengthen it.

"I bring to that office a record of demonstrated accomplishment for Missouri, not just talk," he said.

Treasurer candidate Sarah Steelman criticized the current treasurer, Nancy Farmer, for calling herself the chief financial officer of the state while investing 90 percent of the taxpayers' $3 billion in out-of-state banks.

Chris Byrd, a Kansas City lawyer making his first foray into politics, said Missouri needs an attorney general who will defend the marriage amendment because it's certain to be challenged in court.

Emerson asked those who came to the picnic to vote not only for her but to support the president. She compared George W. Bush and challenger John Kerry by their footwear.

"I want a president who wears boots, not flip-flops," she said.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

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