So, Missouri’s most despised governor in decades is not running for re-election.  Why?  Well, according to Matt Blunt he’s achieved “virtually everything” he set out to do.  Just what is that?  To alienate most of the state, including people in his own party?  Well, bravo.

The more likely answer here is that Blunt knows he can’t beat the popular Jay Nixon who is not only a very well-liked state Attorney-General but a smart man who could easily wipe the floor with Matt Blunt in any debate.  It would take daddy Blunt’s friends to start swift-boating Nixon for little Matty to have even a chance.  It will be interesting to see who steps in to take Matt Blunt place.  There are several high-ranking and well-known Republicans in Jeff City, but most of them are of the rabid right-wing type, which may or may not pose a problem for Jay Nixon.  Regardless, Missouri’s gubernatorial election just became interesting.