The only thing I've seen (admittedly I have not been looking) that might remotely be a clue is the recent Sibel Edmonds publication of photographs presumably of people involved in covertly (and illegally) trading nuclear secrets. The governor's father, Congressman Roy Blunt, is on the list (State Secrets Privilege Gallery - second picture, third row; Brad Blog lists him as Roy Blount).
Whatever it is, Matt's got more reason than his family to make a hasty 180.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Update: A little digging:
Four months after pleading guilty to two federal immigration fraud counts, former state representative Nathan Cooper will learn today whether he will spend time in prison.[...]
Former state Rep. Nathan Cooper was sentenced Monday to 15 months in a federal prison by a U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton. From her St. Louis courtroom, Hamilton also ordered Cooper to pay a $6,000 fine and go on supervised release for two years following his prison term.
[...]
"First they started trading tax credits for campaign contributions, then they sold fee offices to political allies, and now we learn that Rep. Nathan Cooper — one of Matt Blunt’s top lieutenant in the legislature — has been handing out visas to illegal immigrants for personal gain," said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. "Today’s guilty plea pulls back the curtain on the culture of corruption created by Matt Blunt and his legislative allies.
When Gov. Matt Blunt teamed with Rep. Nathan Cooper to appoint two of Cooper’s clients as fee office holders, the scheme proved lucrative for all parties involved. Cooper’s clients made hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in return, thanked Blunt with thousands in campaign contributions. The Cooper-Blunt relationship is typical of the cronyism and corruption that has come to define Blunt’s tenure in office.
Then there's the stories on Blunt's father:
Given Roy's friendship with a known crook like Abramoff, perhaps it's a little less difficult to explain why his Governor-son Matt would appoint ;a convicted thief to serve as his administration's Director of Business Development.
Here's a page outlining Roy Blunt's "connections" and his son Matt's lobbying efforts that put money into the father's coffers.
Here's one on his ties to K Street and Tom DeLay.
Like father, like son?
On the other hand, Matt Blunt's decision could be something as simple, and easily believable as hearing that Kit Bond may be stepping down for health reasons, and Blunt's looking to campaign for that seat.
Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City, predicts that U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, also will step down soon for health reasons. If U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, Matt Blunt’s father, is appointed to the senatorial post, Mr. Guest said he believes the current Missouri governor will go after a federal congressional seat.
But then why would you claim the need to spend more time with your family? How would you explain that when you went straight-away to campaigning for U.S. Rep? And, is there more power/prestige in being a US representative than in being a state governor? Maybe his father wouldn't be appointed to the Senate position? Maybe he would? I don't know how they fill in resigned legislative positions. All I remember from Missouri legislative politics is that John Ashcroft lost his Senate bid to the deceased Mel Carnahan.
Little mysteries.
Further update:
Come to think of it, that Sibel Edmonds hint about Roy Blunt possibly being in on the scheming around nuclear secrets and shady Middle East dealings could have some connection to Nathan Cooper, arrested for providing visas to illegals, mentioned above.
Cooper Clients Have Contributed Thousands To Blunt — Reaped Hundreds Of Thousands From Fee Office Contracts Awarded By Blunt.
Damir Huskic and Abid Nisar have contributed a combined total of $2,975 to Matt Blunt’s campaigns over the years. The South Kingshighway office, which was awarded to Damir Huskic, reaped $617,423 in fee agent fees in FY2005 and $429,719 in FY2006. The Bridgeton office, which was awarded to Abid Nisar, reaped $271,153.50 in agent fees during FY2005 and $233,410.50 in FY2006. [Missouri Department of Revenue; Missouri Ethics Commission]
Am I reaching here?
Update 01/28/08
Input from a friend in Missouri:
[T]hanks very much for the excellent post on Matt Blunt. From what I read in the Tribune he mentioned that “his work was done” and he’d “accomplished his goals”. I do think that the perks of being a governor are probably small potatoes compared to what you can reap from being a Congressman. He certainly showed that he wasn’t afraid to balance a budget on the backs of the poor and handicapped. And he showed that he wasn’t afraid to blatantly show favoritism. When one of his staff gently pointed out that destroying e-mail was possibly violating the sunshine law he smeared and fired the guy into oblivion. All-in-all he shows great promise in continuing either Roy’s or Bond’s legacy. It’s all in the timing.
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