“I think they’re so mad at Rod Jetton right now that they’d do anything.” – State Rep. Charlie Denison on lawmakers’ attitude toward the House speaker and his role as a political consultant. (Hat tip: SNL News Leader)
Oh how the mighty have fallen! Another colleague, state senator and treasurer candidate Brad Lager, has distanced himself from the ethically challenged and thankfully term limited Speaker. Like a gigantic oak tree that rots from the inside, all the backroom deals; the chairmanships that were given to Friends of Rod (FOR) instead of the vice chairmen who were next in line to receive them; the 2006 racist comments at a Republican caucus meeting; all have contributed to the decay and fall of this once powerful politician.
Several sources have confirmed to MOPNS a 2006 off capitol Republican caucus meeting where Speaker Jetton was asked by a legislator if he had his permission to do something. The quick witted Speaker replied:
“I don’t care what you do as long as you’re over 21 and white!”
Witnesses told us that Jetton was pleased with his quip until it was pointed out to him – and he realized too late – that there was a lone African American in the caucus and in the room. Witnesses say Jetton profusely apologized to the legislator, as did other members. We are also told that many legislators apologized privately to the African American legislator throughout the day for Rowdy Rod’s bad taste “joke.”
Developing…
0 responses so far ↓
1 Jackson // Jul 3, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Get a life. Charlie Dennison is one of the least influential members there is.
Too bad Jetton is human and can make mistakes such as the comment. The comment was obviously made a few years ago as it has been a while since Sherman Parker chose to commit political suicide rather than be a useless legislator.
2 I am Spartacus // Jul 3, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Just a few more issues to add to the long list of concerns about Jetton…
— Rod knew Don Lagraso, his legal counsel, took money from the porn industry. He did not take action until members of the caucus challenged him.
— Jetton would accuse members who did not fall in line with his agenda as being non-team players. He would take positions away and hold meetings in his office to twist arms…questioning your loyalty to his team.
— Jetton held HRCC fundraisers this past session. Lobbyists would ask Republican legislators why they did not attend these fundraisers. Simply, they were not invited. Jetton did not inform members of fundraising efforts. Lobbyists informed legislators that Jetton told the gambling industry not to give to HRCC, but instead give to his legisaltive committee.
— Leaders in the Senate and the Governor’s office routinely provided information that Jetton missed over 2/3 of the leadership meetings designed to bridge gaps and accomplish goals. Not one report from one person…BUT MANY reports from many people on both sides of the building.
— Jetton took a government vault in the House…turned it into his private lounge (by invitation only)…called it the Speaker’s Vault…where drinks could be enjoyed. Not sure the citizens would appreciate having state property used in such a manner.
— Jetton gets on the House floor…breaths heavy into a microphone while fumbling with his phone and then plays the theme from Star Wars from his phone over the Hosue sound system. Another member walks in…like a pirate…had some patch on his head…and declares some rule out of order. Wonder what internet listeners thought?
— This past session, Jetton repeatedly told members that he “did not care” what they did…he was on his way out.
— Some House members are reluctant to give to HRCC becuase Jetton is running HRCC. They are concerned about where money is going…and his consultant contracts.
— Lobbyists and folks in Jefferson City still hear rumors of Jetton working with Democrat candidates and their races. Word is that Jetton is listing legislators he will have influence with and is naming Democrat candidates.
— Jetton has several members of the House and Senate under contract with his consulting firm. Add Schaff to the list…word is out that Jetton intends on helping Schaaf run for the state senate. Guess who handled the legisltion for Insure Missouri and healthcare issues this past year???
3 JasonB // Jul 3, 2008 at 7:46 pm
And the real question is – so what?
Do you really think that Don Lograsso is controlled by Jetton? Do you really think that speakers never had private meetings in their offices? Do you really think that some speakers – Jetton didn’t do enough – didn’t discipline members by taking away committees etc? Do you really think that rumors aren’t everywhere about many people in Jefferson City with the vast majority untrue?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions the verdict is in on you – you didn’t think.
4 Crazy Davie // Jul 3, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I have said for the last 4 years that this was going to be trouble for our party. People poo-pooed me and said I was out-of-touch and out-of-line…………………
Well, it looks like I was right after all. I sat in the Speaker’s Office and heard him say things that I cannot repeat on this blog. The Good Ole Boy Marine and Preacher’s Son from Bollinger County turned out to be everything I said he was.
This same attitude was prevelant in the Governor’s Office as well. What do you suppose happened to those emails??????????
The Blunts, Jetton and anyone else involved in these monumental screw ups needs to be GONE! We are in need of new, more mature leadership in the Missouri Republican Party!
5 I am Spartacus // Jul 4, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Do you really think that Don Lograsso is controlled by Jetton? No…I think Jetton controls Lograsso…
Do you really think that speakers never had private meetings in their offices? Private meetings are one thing…twisting arms…making threats…controlling legislation and collecting payment from fellow legislators under the guise of being a consultant…VERY CONCERNING…
Do you really think that some speakers – Jetton didn’t do enough – didn’t discipline members by taking away committees etc? – Is it right to use committee-positions to discipline members for your own gain…or at all. What about appointing the right people to do the right thing…MAYBE JASON supports pay to play…
Do you really think that rumors aren’t everywhere about many people in Jefferson City with the vast majority untrue? – Rumors you say…if you hear from one or two sources…maybe…BUT EVERYONE in Jefferson City…from the Senate to the House to every floor in the Capitol…they all see the same thing…
Sounds like Jason loves Rod…no matter what…
6 JasonB // Jul 4, 2008 at 5:08 pm
None of your replies answer the questions. You don’t think that speakers have always twisted arms etc? Your replies are ignorant at best and purposely false at worst.
As to loving “Rod” no matter what – nope – but I do have critical thinking skills and unlike you – only given to occasionally painting with a broad brush.
I have seen many – many – many times the old “pay to play” accusation be bandied about when someone holds a position contrary to your own. Everyone of the accusations I have heard against Jetton falls into this category. Best case in point is the”rumors” – repeated by many which still doesn’t make it any more true – that Jetton will soon be indicted regarding…school choice – judges – take your pick and add your own.
I’ve been around a long time and seen a lot of “stuff” – Jetton doesn’t measure up to many past speakers in the behind the scenes machinations. Some of them went to jail – I believe we will see Jeff Harris in jail for copyright infringement before we see Jetton in jail.
7 I am Spartacus // Jul 4, 2008 at 9:26 pm
JB…ha ha ha…so if other speakers twisted arms and used their power positions to gain ground…that makes it right…Hmmm…way to go Mr. Logical Thinking Skills…(is that your maiden name)…
Look…Jane Cunningham sent a letter out two years ago…and it reached the press talking about how she was to recieve a chairmanship based on how much money she gave to her caucus…
Jetton is the Speaker…he has several members PAYING him as a “consultant” and he controls where their legislation goes…and controls the legislation of others WHO also vote on said legislation. It screams of pay-to-play…
EVEN IF all of this stands to be LEGAL…it is extremely unethical. Fact is…Republicans are furious with the way Jetton treated his own. He manipulated them…he consistently made up rumors about his own members to gain some upper-hand…
OH…by the way “Mr. Facts”…check the House recordings…JETTON DID go to a microphone on the House Floor…start breathing heavy into it AND played the Star Wars Theme over the sound system from his phone. THAT HAPPENED…some even thought he was a bit full of “happy” juice. NOT RUMOR…FACT… maybe not a jail-worth offense…but lends itself to his own reputation…
Jetton may not be Griffen…but he is, in his own right, messed up. Simply calling these “rumors” which are facts…ignorant does lend to your argument….
Take a deep breath…and keeping lighting candles to your Jetton altar…maybe he will name a village after you…
8 JasonB // Jul 7, 2008 at 11:53 am
MOPNS – If you guys keep deleting posts you are worse than “cut and paste”. At least Combest gives the sources and doesn’t make up stories.
9 JasonB // Jul 7, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I posted one on this link in response to “I am Spartucus” latest drivel a couple of hours before the last one about deleting posts.
I also posted at least two on the Kinder issue a week or so ago.
In all cases the post showed up on the screen as having been posted but upon returning later – they were gone.
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