Kinder to deliver GOP response for State of the State address
Kinder
Further affirming his place as the Missouri Republican Party’s standard-bearer, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will deliver the GOP response to Jay Nixon’s first State of the State address.
It’s a tricky assignment for Kinder — often, the responses are red-meat partisan parries offering a flat contrast of the opposition’s agenda. (As Nixon did when he offered a counter to Matt Blunt’s speeches.)
But, this early in the legislative session — when leaders from both sides of the aisle have pledged to work together — it would be hard for Kinder to issue a biting retort.
Expect a cautiously optimistic, or wait-and-see tone.
Either way, the exposure will only help Kinder, as he ponders the possibility running for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
FROM MANNIES:
By the way, I understand that Kinder will deliver his response LIVE. Nixon’s Democratic responses were taped ahead of time.
A Kinder spokesman said he’s going live because it ” will allow us to better respond. Right now there is some uncertainty about what numbers will be presented” by Nixon in his State of the State.
I suppose it would only be difficult if Nixon gives a State of the State Address that isn’t partisan.
I don’t count on that, though. He may have won the election talking like a republican (as did the president), but he’s a liberal guy. Anyone who has watched him in his career knows this.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Just don’t be surprised when he advocates for liberal policies.
My bet is that Nixon does everything he can to bury the bad budget decisions. At the minimum, it would make it difficult for Kinder to respond.
But I commend Kinder for having the guts to go live.