Missourians have a tough choice ahead when casting their vote for governor, because they have two excellent options.
Our editorial board was impressed greatly with Missouri’s Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates. U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia, and Attorney General Jay Nixon, D-Jefferson City, have strong platforms, outstanding resumes and bold visions that we feel will be good for Missouri.
Click the player to view video of Jay Nixon and Kenny Hulshof discussing youth involvement in the democratic process with The Globe's editorial board.
Click the player to view video of Jay Nixon and Kenny Hulshof discussing concentrated animal feeding operations and other environmental concerns with The Globe's editorial board.
In this difficult choice, we endorse Nixon. His service to Southwest Missouri, experience in state government and his attention to local issues make him our choice for governor:
Click here to view video of Jay Nixon and Kenny Hulshof discussing Missouri's educational system with The Globe's editorial board.
* During the ice storms of 2007, Nixon worked for Southwest Missouri by prosecuting price-gouging motels and other businesses.
* In his 16-year tenure as attorney general, Nixon has performed his job admirably and stayed on a more moderate political path. That experience and familiarity is too good to pass up.
* As attorney general, Nixon worked with the Legislature to pass a stronger, more modern Sunshine Law.
* Nixon’s plan for education was well-received by a substantial majority of the board including the youth editorial board, which was impressed with plans to fund college education. He calls for an expansion of the A+ program to include all Missouri students (not just certain school districts), boosts in teacher salaries, development of alternative schools and opportunities for high-school seniors to earn up to 15 hours of college credit.
* Nixon supports stiffer legislation against concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) — especially in thin-soiled Southwest Missouri — than Hulshof. Nixon supports the creation of buffer zones, the protection of state historical sites and parks, protection of a dwindling water table and new leadership for the Department of Natural Resources.
Hulshof presented himself well and made the board’s choice tough. We felt Hulshof’s plan for health care was better and more realistic than Nixon’s, and we also appreciated his ideas on education.
We also have concerns about where Nixon will find funding for his plans. To his credit, Nixon pledges no increase in taxes for his programs. But he said a funding plan would have to wait until clearer budget numbers come in.
What’s clear from our interviews with both candidates is that Missouri will be in good hands with either Nixon or Hulshof at the helm.
We think Nixon is the best-qualified candidate to move Missouri forward.
Opinion
<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> In Our View: Nixon choice for governor<font color="#ff0000"> w/ three candidate interview videos</font>
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