Political Fracas: Dave Spence not as wishy-washy as advertised
Barb ShellyAfter meeting with Dave Spence today, I’m thinking the Missouri governor’s race might not turn out to be such a snooze after all.
Assuming Spence is the Republican nominee, which seems likely given his funding advantage, he and incumbent Democrat Jay Nixon will have a lively debate over economic development. Spence is loaded for bear on this issue, ready to rattle off a list of alarming studies showing stagnant economic growth in Missouri. He will also point out that Nixon’s Department of Economic Development has run through two directors since 2009 and is currently operating under an interim appointment.
Far from being wishy-washy, which is the rap again him, Spence was pretty decisive when he said he wanted to make Missouri a “right to work” state, move all worker’s comp claims into an arbitration system and curb employment discrimination cases.
All this is right off of the blueprint pushed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, which Spence supports lock, stock and barrel. It would create in Missouri a much harsher environment for workers, and is totally the wrong agenda. But it’s not wishy-washy.
Likewise on health care reform, Spence declared he would join the Rick Perry’s of the governors’ ranks and refuse to implement any kind of insurance exchange. On the subject of a Medicaid expansion, his answer way, “No way, no how.”
That too, is all wrong. An insurance exchange would be good for consumers and would help to drive down the costs of health care. And getting more low-income Missourians health insurance is the right thing to do. Spence did veer into the realm of generalities when asked what he would do about health care. He advocated “free market” solutions, which really means a return to the days when only healthy people can be assured of getting health insurance.
On the subject of his involvement as a board member of a bank which failed to repay a TARP loan, Spence said Reliance Bancshares took the loan before he joined its main board. He said he put $1.8 million of his own into the bank, and the net worth of that investment is now $240,000. Federal regulators recommended delaying payments on the TARP loan, Spence said, and he voted along with other board members to do so.
Political opponents will continue to make much of that chapter of Spence’s life, but that’s his version of events.
I hadn’t seen Spence in action before today, but he didn’t live up to his reputation of being hard to pin down. On most issues, he was pretty straightforward. Nixon himself has been dancing around a lot of topics lately, like the Medicaid expansion. If Spence continues to improve, he could end up as the straight talker in a governor’s debate.
Kent Mueller
10 months agoBarb, where do you get your information on candidates prior to meeting with them?
First, you said Spence has a reputation of being “wishy-washy”. Where did you get that? His political opponents? I’m pretty sure that’s where you got that. I don’t think anyone else has said that. You expect accurate information from that source?
Also, in your blog leading up to your interview, you wrote about the TARP loan given to Reliance Bancshares. You said he had voted against paying the TARP money back, as if that was a bad thing. Where did you get that information? I’m pretty sure you got that information from his political opponents. You expect accurate information from that source?
Once you spoke with the man, he told you that the his vote was in line with the regulators wanting the payments delayed. Now, that changes everything about that vote. After learning that, you simply state that his opponents will still raise the issue and the requested delay was merely “his version of events”. Doesn’t sound like you believe him. You were much more convincing as to what you believe to be true when you gave his opponents’ version.
It shouldn’t be that hard to determine if the regulators wanted the vote to delay payments. I think you could find out if you wanted to. After finding out, one way or the other, one of the two sides should be rightfully held up as a liar. That would be a great service to the voters. Much better than to repeat his opponents accusations without questioning them.
Cindy O'Laughlin
10 months agoDave Spence is exactly right on all the issues. The fact that you don’t agree with him further solidifies that. Missouri is losing ground to other states because Jay Nixon will do nothing to further the economic climate and in fact has vetoed efforts by the legislature to improve our “jobs” climate. You sound like other liberals who are always claim “giveaways” are the “right thing to do” which has bankrupted our country. Dave Spence is my choice for governor and anyone who hopes to see Missouri improve will support him also.
Paul Austin
10 months agoMrs. Shelly, you’re going to see every two-bit ambulance chaser, who’ve leeched off the rigged legal system to throw cash at their boy, Jay. While the governor has manged not to P.O. the general public by working with the conservative house and senate, a second term will preserve the ‘business-as-usual’ climate in the courts and there’ll be no restraint not to move left. Spence, even though he’s new to the political circus in Jeff city, has a chance to change the climate of our state regulatory system as long as he can take the reins of power and not be led by the nose by the entrenched civil service and lobbyists camped out in the capitol.
Henry Quotes
10 months agoJust watch this video of Bill Randles, who is running against Spence for Gov. You will see the difference and will become Randles voter…http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HD0ATNf4EYg