Clinton, Greitens each carry their own baggage in election

It should come as no surprise that the Republican national leadership has decided to focus on Hillary Clinton as the face of the Democratic party in the run-up to the all-important midterm elections.

It just makes sense.

Hillary Clinton is a polarizing figure held in very low esteem by the GOP as well as some within her own party.

To the GOP, Mrs. Clinton is the gift that keeps on giving.

Along with former Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton is the perfect target for campaigning Republicans.

Many Americans still see the former First Lady as someone above the law who has yet to fully answer for a host of controversial issues.

Her blame game for the 2016 Presidential loss is sheer arrogance personified and there still remains many puzzling questions of her past political shenanigans.

So it makes political sense to tie Clinton to the direction of the Democratic party as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress.

GOP campaign spending has already put Mrs. Clinton in the bullseye in at least three highly-contested House races. Expect many more to follow.

From purely a political standpoint, the strategy make sense. Few politicians have been held in such low regard so why not make these contests about Hillary?

Many Democrats have quietly -- and some not so quietly -- wished the Clintons would simply fade into the woodwork. Yet there is no indication that Mrs. Clinton sees herself as a liability. Quite the opposite.

The anti-Hillary approach may work. Though in many ways she is yesterday's news, she returns to the spotlight time and time again. Wishing she would just go away is just that -- wishful thinking.

But this political approach may open up a nasty door in Missouri where embattled Gov. Eric Greitens may find himself in the same position as Hillary Clinton.

In what most observers see as a tight Senate race in Missouri, the problems of the Republican governor will surely make their way into the race featuring incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill and Attorney General Josh Hawley.

Though Hawley was quick to call for Greitens' resignation, expect McCaskill to tie Greitens to Hawley and the entire Republican party.

And from a political standpoint, that association is as fair as putting Hillary Clinton in a negative spotlight for the GOP.

Like Hillary, Greitens has dug his heels and promised to fight a political storm on at least two separate fronts. Despite several calls to resign from within his own party, the Governor is adamant and at least for now, vows to remain to the bitter end.

Though it may not be "fair," McCaskill will undoubtedly join Hawley and Greitens at the hip and that association may be the tipping point in a close election.

Surveys show that voters are often divided. Some vote for a specific person and others vote against a specific person.

Both Clinton and Greitens carry ample negative baggage. And that alone could be enough to sway an election one way or the other.

Michael Jensen is the publisher of the Standard Democrat in Sikeston, Missouri.