See you later ‘08: What was the year’s best local political story?
What a year — Gov. Matt Blunt decides not to run again, setting off a contentious Republican primary that couldn’t delay the inevitably of Attorney General Jay Nixon ascending to the governor’s office.
Meanwhile, Missouri was a key player in the presidential swing-state sweepstakes, with Claire McCaskill hitching a ride on Barack’s Obama star to a place in the national spotlight.
Veep-to-be Joe Biden sparred at Washington University with Republican rival Sarah Palin, who also made news with some pricey purchases at Plaza Frontenac.
At City Hall, Mayor Francis Slay was fighting a recall effort, though appears to be firmly on track to winning a third term.
Across the river, Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s troubles came to a head with an arrest on corruption charges and a Senate appointment scandal that promises to take him into next year.
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Ed Martin single handidly destroying Matt Blunt’s political career has to be the number one political story of the year. I had high hopes for Blunt and I hope Ed Martin pays the piper for ruining one of the GOP’s few real superstars.
I think Roy Temple getting fired for getting beat senseless by Jeff Roe in the Sam Graves/Kay Barnes race has to be number one. Temple was exposed for being the fraud he always has been.
This cements Jeff Roe as the premier political consultant in Missouri.
what about Koster the Imposter switching parties and duping all of Missouri into believing that the AG is even remotely similar to being a prosecutor.
Blunt was one of GOP’s superstars? You’re kidding us right? The GOP is in tough shape if Blunt is considered a superstar.
I wonder why Blunt didn’t seek reelection? Because Ed Martin didn’t keep his emails? I doubt it. There is something more to this story. Much more. Maybe when he is gone the news will come out. I think it has something to do with his orientation.
Gov. Rod made the biggest, nastiest headlines, but I’m inclined to agree with SPP, if we ever get the whole story on Matty’s emails, that could prove to be the most interesting!
Slay “firmly on track to winning a third term”? Ridiculous. You guys still call yourselves a newspaper?
The big story was Lt. Governor Peter Kinder winning when the momentum was so strongly against Republicans. It took real courage for any Republican to run this year, and it certainly paid off for KInder.
Robin Wright-Jones beating Rodney Hubbard.
The PD (especially these folks at Political Fix) not doing their homework on their favorite local Senator — Obama. Who would have thunk that the Post would endorse, campaign, and look the over way for the first Kenyan born President of the US. Absolutely brilliant job guys. Now you are starting to see how shady this guy is, but I’m sure you’ll continue to look the other way.
Seeing the Post-Dispatch performing as an unofficial 527-organization.
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The most interesting political event was of course the election, both locally and nationally. The technology involved and the long time it took to complete the campaign season probably afforded some people too many opportunities to voice their opinions in forums like this one. It was simply too easy to anonymously spew hateful rhetoric through negative attacks and lies. Yet the results of this election and the state of the nation after eight dismal years of Bush also made it possibly the most historically significant election of our lives.
Jay Nixon under investigation for massive conflict of interest.
Slay buying yet another term with which to rape and pillage the city
Charlie Dooley trying to come up with new and different ways to thwart the will of voters in St. Louis County.
The end of the St. Louis Post Dispatch as a going concern.
Oh… wait. Those are 2009 stories.
Sorry… my bad…
I think one of the most surprising stories has to be the Republicans gaining 3 seats in the Missouri State Senate in a year that was terrible everywhere else for Republicans. I believe the Republican caucus in the Missouri State Senate was the only Republican caucus in the nation to gain seats in the election.
the biggest story of 2008…
the rapid and swift decline of the republikan party…
and it absolute end…
good news for the American people.
think one should be that st. louis city was able to elect the lawyer for the porn industry to an important seat. Mike Colona , lawyer to the porn stars, and now representing our city! Way to go people.
“The people get the type of government they deserve”
If true, we must be in sad shape these days.
Reading comments from “hard-nosed” Republican bloggers who still worship Bush….It has reached the point of hysterical.
I agree with SoCo GOP. The Dems should NOT have lost those seats. They’re now a super minority for the next four years due to either poor leadership in the SDCC or unfit candidates, who knows. I was shocked when the election results came back–will they be able to get ANYTHING done in Missouri now? Who’s to blame for this when 4/5 statewides when Democratic?
Ah, jeez. Garrison with the name calling again.
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Can’t wait for the 2009 Best Political Story. We are only 2 days in and “I will not be a jester in King Slays Court” has to be in the top 3 for 2009. I will be voting independent for the first time!!!
Not sure it’s political, but I sure enjoyed the towing scandal. Corrupt cops! Who would ever guess?
Geez, BobZ…
Even the term “hard-nosed” is name-calling?
You obviously way to sensative for this blog.
There’s a magazine called the Advocate. Give it a try.
Sorry if you find the word “sensative” as offensive name-calling.
I’ll try to “clean-it-up” for you.