Kinder attends GOP picnic

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder celebrated his party’s accomplishments before a large gathering of Pettis County Republicans on Wednesday night.

“It’s great to be a Republican in Missouri, and we have a great story to tell,” Kinder said during the annual John Ryan Picnic in Liberty Park’s Convention Hall.

The picnic, named for a former state senator and party official, is in its 66th year. Associate Judge Robert Liston, a Republican, was also honored at the event with the John C. Ryan Award, a public service award for community leaders who work through the party. More than 50 people turned out for the event, which also included an auction of donated items to benefit the Pettis County Young Republicans. The group raised a little more than $500 at the event.

Kinder, the guest speaker, highlighted reforms and budgetary concerns passed since Gov. Matt Blunt was elected in 2004. Kinder said that Republicans have helped make Missouri more “business friendly” with tort and malpractice reform, and have secured budget surpluses without raising taxes. He cited Missouri’s senior prescription drug program — the MoHealthNet program that will reform Missouri’s Medicaid program — and increases in mental health funding as major accomplishments.

Kinder said that general revenues in the state were up 6.2 percent in the first month of fiscal year 2008, and “the state is in the best cash position it has been in for years.”

Kinder was critical of Democrats, who he said “are like dumb animals that forget nothing and learn nothing.”

“They want to take us back to the old days — back to what ran us into the financial ditch. The difference between us and them will be what the campaign will be about,” Kinder said.

He dismissed a July 26 poll by polling group SurveyUSA that showed Gov. Blunt trailing likely challenger, Attorney General Jay Nixon, 57 percent to 38 percent statewide.

“We are still 15 months from the only poll that matters, and that is a lifetime in politics,” Kinder said.

Liston, who won a second term in 2006, is a former Pettis County Republican Party chairman. He said he was shocked to win the award, noting that “there are prohibitions against how much I can do for a candidate. I am sure there are people here that are more deserving of recognition.”

“The beliefs of the party coincide with my own personal and religious beliefs, which has made it easier for me to work to help Republicans win office,” Liston said. “It gives me a chance to work in politics at a grassroots level.”

The current party chairwoman, Carla Young, said “Robert is always there to lend a hand. There are certain things he can’t do because of his office, but he is always there when we need him.”

Nick La Strada, president of the Pettis County Young Republicans, said the group had secured nearly 40 members since its founding this spring.

“I think this is big for Republicans in town because they can see the young people are here, and that we care and that we are willing to do all we can to help Republican candidates. We want to help. That’s what we are here for,” La Strada said.

rich@sedaliademocrat.com