Former Missouri Gov. Roger Wilson was on hand Friday night to offer effusive praise of state Rep. Clint Zweifel, D-Florissant, and several area Democratic buddies in the House.

In an interview, Wilson said he’d joined Zweifel for his kickoff of his state treasurer bid, in part, to demonstrate his recognition for the work that Zweifel and others did to rebuild their caucus in the state House.

Besides Zweifel, Wilson singled out state Reps. Jeff Harris of Columbia, Margaret Donnelly of Richmond Heights, Paul LeVota of Kansas City-Independence, and Rachel Storch of St. Louuis.

Wilson praised all for their “youth and energy…I watched that crew rebuild the House…They certainly helped the Democratic Party in a way we couldn’t have produced on our own…”

Wilson emphasized that he has nothing but praise for Zweifel’s two Democratic rivals: Arnold Mayor Mark Powell and Andria Simckes of Creve Coeur, a former state employee who works in the financial industry.

Wilson, by the way, has yet to endorse a Democratic candidate in the presidential contest. And he said Friday that he doesn’t intend to, until either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton is the for-sure nominee.

“I’m kind of keeping my powder dry,” Wilson said. “As soon as the dust settles, we’re going to need to come on strong and be united.”

Wilson added that he isn’t concerned about the fate of Missouri Democrats because “we’re in good shape with our statewide candidates.”

As for the Clinton-Obama battle, Wilson downplayed any harm from their continued fight, adding that he ascribes to “the old adage of ‘just spell my name right.’ ”

In effect, Wilson contends that all the publicity surrounding the Democratic contest will be a benefit in the long run.

That said, he wants the candidates to focus more on “the economy, the war in Iraq, the government corruption,” all of which Wilson says has been mishandled by President George W. Bush.

“We can’t have our government run like a monarchy,” Wilson said.

The Democratic presidential nomination may still be up for grabs, he said, but “one of them is going to be running against John McBush.”

Wilson said that’s how he plans to tag presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, from now until Election Day in November.

So in that sense, Wilson has taken sides.