U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., made news this morning by concluding his convention speech with an endorsement of U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof for governor.
Hulshof, R-Columbia, long has been deemed a favorite of Bond, who’s a former two-term governor.
Bond praised Hulshof as a governor with fresh ideas, “who stands apart…who cares deeply.”
Bond’s endorsement was the most visible sign of the state Missouri Republican Party’s effort to coalesce behind Hulshof.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder was among several speakers Friday night who underscored the need for unity, although Kinder said in an interview afterwards that he wasn’t implying that a certain Hulshof rival — state Treasurer Sarah Steelman — should drop out.
Kinder did note, however, that he’d done so in February, in order to unite the party.
Steelman, said in an interview outside the hall — before Bond’s announcement – that she was concerned that some party officials who are supposed to be neutral weren’t behaving as such. She wasn’t referring to elected officials such as Bond.
“Actions speak louder than words,” she said. As an example, she cited state GOP executive director Jared Craighead, whose wife cohosted a Hulshof fundraiser last Wednesday. Jared Craighead attended the fundraiser, although he said earlier Wednesday that he definitely was remaining neutral.
Hulshof said later that he was “humbled and elated” to win Bond’s public support.
What’s the value of such an endorsement? “What it does is set the stage…help to introduce me,” Hulshof said.
He also acknowledged that having the support of Missouri’s senior senator could help Hulshof raise money from Republican donors who might be influenced by Bond’s leanings. Bond long has had one of the state’s best fundraising operations, and his support arguably could help Hulshof tap into that.
Hey, there Raithel is! I was wondering when he would pop up to bad mouth Hulshof. You really have an unhealthy obsession with him. Raiethel why don’t you tell everyone about that 33% you pulled down when you ran Jacobsen’s campaign against Hulshof.
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I have seen both of these public servants in action, and I have attended many of their speeches. Hands down there is no contest if anyone is paying attention. Kenny Hulshof is the best qualified, and from the heart candidate. I too was at the convention and Steelman’s speech which was very ho hum (but probably one of her better performances), while Hulshof touched your heart and made you believe in what can still be accomplished in our great state. The comments made around me were at least she’s good to look at, well I for one want a candidate that can do the job, be fair, honest and committed to Missouri – that candidate, that man is Kenny Hulshof!
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Nick you’re so smart man! Keep hacking away and maybe someday, someone will give you a real job and you can move out of your mother’s basement!
Hulshof is Washington. He is part of the problem and isn’t capable of providing a solution. He and Nixon are best friends. There’s little if any difference between the two and Jay would have likely given him an appointment whether Kenny ran or not.
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Later in the day, Hulshof and Steelman both addressed the convention. Steelman was uninspiring, to put it nicely. In contrast, Hulshof was inspiring. He showed us that the personal attributes which enabled him to defeat Harold Volkmer, a Democratic incumbent of twenty years, will also equip him well to defeat Jay Nixon.
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I’ve known Kenny Hulshof for many years and have always found him to be professional, caring and a true man of his word. His high moral character and decency is strongly admired by those who know and have worked with him. I truly believe he can lead our state in the direction we need to go. He will make us proud.
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I’ve read the Senator used to be cross-eyed, I didn’t know he is also myopic – but then again, an endorsement from one who thinks of water-boarding as a specie of back-stroke may not be the best of news….All in all, a war criminal in Jefferson City cannot do nearly as much harm to people outside Missouri as he can do in Washington DC to the rest of the world, so I do very much enjoy watching Kenny Boy and Steelman race to prove which of them is the most reactionary, authoritarian, and loving of guns, guts, and God. Yee haaa, blaspheming that they be….
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As a long time republican I know that Kit Bond understands the talents needed to serve as Governor of Missouri. His support of Hulshof is important and would have been welcomed by either Kenny Hulshof or Sarah and David Steelman.
I see Kenny Hulshof as someone with the same talents of former Governors Bond and Ashcroft. I was a proud supporter of both men, and look forward to seeing Hulshof carry on that tradition in the Governor’s office.
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What a shock that one Washington politician supports another Washington politician. Bet they both know what skeletons are in each other’s closets.
Good news for Steelman, though. Look at Bond’s last endorsement…Rudy didn’t fair so hot.
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