Looking for more substance

A Missouri gubernatorial candidate is running campaign commercials featuring him firing some sort of assault weapon and setting off an explosion. Republicans flood the airwaves with commercials showing their smiling face standing beside a pickup truck equipped with a gun rack, while they are dressed in camouflage, sporting a gun and gazing off into space. Oh, and it helps to have a hunting dog make an appearance also. As they are performing this complex endeavor, a script is read espousing their pro-life, Christian and pro-gun convictions. Some Democrats also engage in this.

While Republicans present themselves as throwbacks to Boss Hogg's nephew, Democrats are forever running ads featuring a Kennedy look alike, or the perfect multicultural multiracial, multisexual blend designed for the camera and eloquent speeches, but not necessarily endowed with common sense, or the best qualifications. Take a look at the Democratic candidates presented to voters in commercials. Teeth? They got 'em. Smiles? They got 'em. Photogenic candidates? They got it. Diversity? They got it. Moving speeches? Check! Wins? Well, not so much.

Missourians are not looking for a governor who can blow up buildings or preach sermons, nor are we seeking beauty contest winners or candidates for acting school. These commercials are condescending and irrelevant. Missourians deserve candidates who will address the issues and spare us the theatrics.

WILL RICHARDSON, Jackson