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Politics & Government

Voters' Reply to Nixon's Comments on 'Extremists' Uncertain

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, known as a moderate Democrat—frustrating liberals, who want more progressive policies, along with conservatives, who want voters to elect a Republican—said some un-Nixon-like things last week Friday.

Patch is pleased to partner with Brian R. Hook, editor and investigative reporter for Missouri Watchdog, a news website dedicated to investigative journalism about local, state and federal government across Missouri. We've invited Hook to contribute a weekly column that describes what he's watching and why it's important for Missouri taxpayers.

Ideological extremists are trying to hold back the Show-Me State, according to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

The governor, known as a moderate Democrat—frustrating liberals, who want more progressive policies, along with conservatives, who want voters to elect a Republican—said some un-Nixon-like things last week Friday.

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“I really don’t have any patience for these right-wing extremists,” Nixon said at a Democratic fundraiser held  in downtown St. Louis. During his 11-minute speech, the governor said some variation of extreme six times.

Missouri Watchdog was allowed into the fundraising event to record every speech on video.

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Was Nixon playing to his base of supporters, who he will need to raise money for his re-election campaign? Yes.

Did he pull it off without upsetting moderate Republicans, who he will need to be reelected in 2012? Maybe.

I have been covering Nixon rather closely for the last year for Missouri WatchdogDemocratic insiders tell me his speech in St. Louis was similar to previous speeches he delivered earlier this year. From what I have witnessed first-hand at numerous events around the state, that characterization is not accurate. Let’s go to the video. (It and two additional clips referenced later in this article are attached.)

In March in Hannibal, the governor talked about how common sense trumps ideology in Missouri. “We are different here in Missouri,” he said, noting it is important to bring people together to solve problems.

In late January, after releasing his budget proposal, Nixon faced criticism from both the left and the right. Noting that he was one of the first governors in years to propose a budget that reduced total spending, I asked him during a press conference about the criticism he was receiving from both sides of the political spectrum.

Some Republicans were saying his reductions did not go far enough, while some Democrats were accusing the governor of being a closet Republican. After appearing somewhat uncomfortable during part of the question, in classic Nixon style, he lightened the mood in the room by comparing his plan to “The Story of the Three Bears.”

“It’s a little like the porridge,” Nixon said.

“Some people think it’s too hot. Some people think it’s too cold. It tastes just right. Just right is what we’ve got.”

Returning to this month, Nixon signed a budget plan that will be only the third time in 30 years the state government has reduced spending year-over-year, reducing total expenditures by at least 2.1 percent.

The most recent poll shows that Nixon is weaker than one would expect with fellow Democrats, receiving only a 61 percent approval rating, according to Public Policy Polling (PPP), which conducts polls mostly for Democrats.

Most governors receive a 70 to 80 percent rating with their own party’s voters, according to PPP. But Nixon makes up for that by having an unusual level of appeal among Republicans, receiving a 36 percent approval rating.

Republican insiders admit it will take time to persuade voters to turn on Nixon. But they think momentum is on their side, saying his speech in St. Louis shows his true colors, comparing it to his campaign in 2008.

Interestingly, Nixon never once said the word Republican during his speech.

Will Nixon continue to turn left? Will voters follow him in 2012? Missouri Watchdog will be watching.

For news updates, sign up for a newsletter and follow Missouri Watchdog on Twitter and Facebook. Brian R. Hook may be reached by phone at 314-482-7944 or by email at brhook@missouriwatchdog.org.

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