News-Leader Reader Points Out the Huge Earmark Endorsement Contradiction of Endorsements of Roy Blunt and Billy Long

It makes me happy that some people are actually paying attention and see how disingenuous Roy Blunt and Matt Blunt's cheer leading for Billy Long. A reader pointed out in the Springfield News-Leader not only how much bull the Blunts are sending our way when it comes to Billy Long, they also see just how weak the Springfield News-Leader's endorsement of Billy Long and Roy Blunt really were. Remember, Billy Long and his cronies are big advertisers in the News-Leader.

Notice the disconnect in the paper's Congressional endorsements? [Springfield News-Leader] endorses Billy Long and Roy Blunt. [News-Leader] states: "A... lifelong Ozarker, Long promises to bring common sense to Washington... Long seems to best voice the opinions of the average resident... We're convinced [Billy] will... treat federal resources more like Ozarkers manage their money."

Immediately below [the News-Leader] endorsement is Billy's campaign letter which states: "First, deficit spending must be addressed... In order to shrink swollen spending bills I will fight to stop earmarks immediately and permanently ... earmarks ... tempt Congressmen to vote for budget-busting bills laden with pork."

[The News-Leader] endorsed Roy Blunt stating: "As a leader of his party when Republicans were in power... Blunt has been on the fringes of questions about the undue influence of lobbyists and about various campaign fundraising tactics... Blunt has consistently delivered federal funds to this area. [Blunt] maintains he will work 'for the lowest possible federal budget,' but... it is appropriate to... get priority for local projects... send Roy Blunt to the U.S. Senate."

Thus, in the same cycle the editorial board is supporting a career Washington politician because he brings home the bacon and a common sense local businessman whose #1 promise is to eliminate that very bacon. Is the paper schizoid?

I agree with you on Billy Long - but you should have endorsed Robin Carnahan instead of Roy Blunt. Carnahan, Sen. McCaskill and Billy all agree on the importance of eliminating Washington pork - together they would present a powerful and united Missouri voice on this important issue. Billy has to support Blunt - who has never run a business - despite their philosophical differences because Billy is a loyal Republican.

I'm speculating however, that [the News-Leader] endorsed both Republicans for Congress because it was afraid not to.

Bob Sweere Springfield

Bob, what makes you think Billy Long is going to save this country from Government pork? Not one dime will be saved by Billy Long not taking earmarks, and our tax dollars will go to other districts. As well, Billy Long only wants to cut spending to 2008 levels according to this pathetic excuse of a paper you took the time to write. That means another $450 billion in federal debt per year.

So while you are more informed than the average voter, you still have some studying to do. Yes, the News-Leader was bought by Billy Long and his cronies, which is why they embarrassingly embarrass themselves.