He’s BAACK!! Spence to speak for Steelman
This just in:
State Treasurer Sarah Steelman announced a few minutes ago that Spence Jackson — the legendary and highly quotable former spokesman for Gov. Matt Blunt –will join her campaign staff, as of Thursday, as communications director.
“Spence Jackson brings a wealth of experience, energy and enthusiasm to our campaign and I am delighted he has agreed to serve as our Communications Director,” Steelman said in an e-release. “He has been a part of three successful statewide political campaigns and understands what it takes win elections in Missouri.”
Jackson, 37, is a Springfield, Mo., native whose first prominent political post was field director in Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond’s 1998 re-election campaign (against Attorney General Jay Nixon, by the way).
In 2000, Jackson served as communications director for Blunt’s campaign for Secretary of State; Jackson served the same role in Blunt’s successful bid for governor.
Between elections, Jackson was the voice of Blunt in the secretary of state and governor’s office. As the governor’s designated spear-thrower, Jackson often offered up the headline-grabbing quotes.
Jackson was an unabashed defender of Blunt in his dealings with the press. On the plus side, as far as reporters were concerned: Jackson always returned press calls promptly.
That role ended in 2006, when Jackson took on his current job in the Missouri Department of Economic Development as Deputy Director-Communications and Community Outreach
Said Steelman’s release: “In the 2000 election, Jackson was stationed in St. Louis and also oversaw a successful field effort that helped Blunt become the only statewide Republican candidate to win St. Louis County…”
Jackson’s hiring by Steelman adds more intrigue to the governor’s race, and comes shortly after she took on James Harris, a former top aide to the governor.
Many of the governor’s other allies are working for her rival, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia.
Another nail in the Hulshof coffin. Spence is an attack dog!! Onward to defeating Jay Nixon.
GO SPENCE!!!! Steelman’s Team must be putting on the WAR PAINT.
This is GREAT! Spence is a beast and will eat up anything Jay Nixon and his cronies throw at Sarah. Spence is battle tested. Looks to me like Sarah might as well hire the governor too, she has all of his staff. To bad former Congressman Hulshof didn’t just stay where he was at.
Ha. She’s done.
Wow, with Spence back out there on the field of battle, wonder if that coward Roy Temple will slither back into the fray. No contest: Spence will crush him and Nixon.
I’ve always liked Ms. Steelman, but I’m starting to wonder what is going on in her campaign. I just hope that Mr. Jackson is up to the job of explaining the actions of both Row and Harris. If they were on my team, I’d also want someone of Jackson’s talent to talk with the press.
V.F. Rapp
Sarah should know first hand the kind of stuff Nixon will hand out. Her husband David was on the receiving end when Nixon edged him for AG back in 1992. I don’t think Nixon has mellowed since then.
Roy Temple now has a new role as a third-party attack dog. With his nominal independence, he will hurl the real dirty stuff that the Nixon campaign can distance itself from.
I think it would be counterproductive to go too negative in the primary. Clinton and Obama are currently experiencing the backlash that befalls negative inbtraparty campaigns. Such backlash may have been decisive four years ago in McCaskill’s loss to Blunt.
Seems like ever bit of press that Steelman gets she gets because she hires another minion, or more correctly pays said minion under the table while he/she works for the State in some capacity. Does she have any real policy positions, ideas, cares?
What planet are you from “who cares?” Kenny is the one who hires the minions. In fact, Kenny was the one who has tried to make the case that all of the establishment types are with him. Now he has these professionals “volunteering” for his campaign. I have also noticed that there several former paid staffers of Kenny working in behalf of Sarah. What’s that all about.. Bottom line: egghead consultants with Kenny, getting your hands dirty working on the ground consultants with Sarah. She is our only hope in avoiding the following three words– Gov. Jay Nixon.
I just deleted a comment that was posted by someone fraudulently using the name of a former public official.
That violates our rules.