Evaluating Governor Eric Greitens: Realistic Expectations

My dog loves my slow-simmered corned beef.  She eagerly inhales every bit I give her, then tries to wheedle more from my wife.  Yet, as much as she loves my corned beef she has no interest or ability in cooking it herself.  (She oft reminds us that Jack Russell Terriers are no longer a working breed.)

In recent days criticism of Missouri Governor Eric Greitens’ lack of cooperation with the press has been noted.  The veteran Jefferson City reporter for KMOX radio recounts that in is 50 years in the Capitol he has never encountered a governor so inaccessible to the media. [ http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2017/03/27/media-again-criticizes-gov-greitens-for-lack-of-accessibility/

Oh, the governor raises his head from time to time.  He visits Washington, D.C. as often as many Congressmen and frequently get national press by giving his 2¢ on big issues.  For example, last week he came out for Trumpcare the day before it went down in flames.   [ http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/23/greitens-endorses-house-gop-health-bill-even-its-prospects-sink/99555116/ ]

And, while he doesn’t like reporters he has no problem using social media to get out his version of news.  [http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article140937118.html ]

The problem is that our state’s media haven’t adjusted to the way Governor SEAL sees his job: he is not a working governor.

From that first campaign commercial blowing up things with a machine gun; to his frequent publicized work-outs with police cadets, the national guard and such; through all his public appearances in blue jeans topped by a blue shirt and a blue blazer, well, the image of Eric Greitens has always been more important than his ideology or ability.

Alas, the media just doesn’t get it.  The other Sunday largest papers in eastern and western Missouri joined together to call-out Governor SEAL

Gov. Eric Greitens is collaborating in the creation of a bogus nonprofit “social welfare” organization clearly designed to provide unfiltered propaganda about his political agenda.  

[http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/the-platform/editorial-attention-gov-greitens-our-joint-call-with-the-kansas/article_9a90c2e7-9aaa-5faf-886d-949420b1505c.htm ]

I suggest that Eric Greitens’ “political agenda” has just one short line:  turn Governor SEAL into President SEAL.

Note that one of his first actions once sworn-in was to hire a Chief Operating Officer, Drew Erdmann, to actually handle the dreary, everyday duties of the governor.  That leaves Eric free to hang-out with Donald Trump, work-out, or appear at photo-ops.  Actually running this state is unimportant.  Looking gubernatorial is important.

By The Way:  if you really wanted to see and interact with Governor SEAL, you could have attended the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference that started yesterday in Washington.  He’s a speaker.

He is who he is.  And, he’s Missouri’s governor until January 2021.

Submitted by Glenn Koenen, WCD Member