JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Republican Party is criticizing Gov. Jay Nixon for appointing a variety of people to state commissions and other positions who were either direct or indirect donors to Nixon’s campaign. Says a just issued news release:

“Throughout last year’s campaign for governor, Jay Nixon repeatedly denounced special interests and the influence of money in politics. However, a new analysis shows that Nixon has appointed dozens of campaign contributors to key government positions. In total, these donors and their employers gave more than $3.4 million to benefit Nixon’s campaign.

“It is stunning how quickly Jay Nixon disregarded his campaign promises, instead appointing his moneyed friends to the highest levels of state government,” said David Cole, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. “Despite his pledge to clean up Jefferson City, it seems that money is the most important factor in Governor Nixon’s staffing decisions.”

Of course, ex-Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican, faced similar criticism from Democrats while he was governor. So there is unlikely to be much outrage over Nixon’s “pay-to-play” vs. Blunt’s “pay-to-play.”

At the end of his release, GOP Chairman Cole suggests Nixon should stop rewarding contributors with appointments. Hmm. Would both parties agree to do that and end any Missouri comparisons to our neighbors in Illinois?

One of the examples referred to by Cole in his news release is the appointment of St. Louis attorney Don Downing to the University of Missouri Board of Curators.