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Blunt's aides show more experience

November 9, 2004
By: Evan Godt
State Capital Bureau

Missouri Governor Elect Matt Blunt makes the first hire in what promises to be a long list of more experienced aides. Evan Godt (Got) reports from Jefferson City.

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Ken McClure says the reason he was appointed to the position of transition director is that Blunt knows the value of experience.

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Contents: I think what it reflects is my knowledge and experience in state government which gos back over thirty years.

That experience is especially important because McClure says he and Blunt want to provide sweeping changes to state government that it hasn't seen in decades.

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Contents: I think I bring some needed history and experience that is a little difficult to find simply because its been thirty years.

McClure says while Blunt hasn't made any other official appointments, he expects all of them to carry the experience that Blunt respects in an aide.

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Contents: I think you'll see a good mix of people that have a variety of expereience and I think you'll see they compliment each other well.

University of Missouri - St. Louis political science professor Dave Robertson says that this is not a new idea.

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Contents: This clearly is the George W. Bush model in which less experienced individuals appoint really quite experienced people and demonstrates a confidence in working with people who have more connections.

McClure's experience includes serving time on the state Senate and working with the Senate Appropriations Committee as well as the Public Service Commission.

He was even Blunt's high school Sunday school teacher.

McClure hopes that people don't assume there were religious motives behind the hire but Blunt says he does have a deep personal relationship with McClure.

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Contents: He has been someone I've relied on for advice and council in the past and he will continue to be that type of person.

Blunt has said he will concentrate on the transition and will make an official announcement on McClure's permanent staff role, if any, at a later date.

From the state Capitol, I'm Evan Godt.