Kinder endorsement

Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader

Missouri voters have two strong candidates to choose between for lieutenant governor: Democrat Bekki Cook, a former secretary of state, and Republican Peter Kinder, the Senate speaker pro tem.

Each brings strengths to the race. Each has experience that applies to the duties of the job. Cook's law career and six years as secretary of state included advocacy for seniors, one of the duties assigned to the lieutenant governor. Kinder held the top leadership spot in the Senate, which prepares him for the lieutenant governor's constitutional duty to preside over the Senate.

That experience gives Kinder a slight edge over Cook, which he builds upon with an ambitious plan. The senator proposes creation of a commission on waste, fraud and abuse.

While this sounds like a duplication of the state auditor's office, such a commission could hold public hearings, take testimony and bring greater attention to audit findings. It could make sure every dollar of tax money is being used well.

Lieutenant governor is a difficult position to run for. The main duty of the office is to wait. But since we are paying the lieutenant governor nearly $80,000 a year, we ought to get some work out of him or her. Kinder is more likely to give us our money's worth. He has our endorsement.