Let's be clear: the news coming out St. Louis today is noteworthy.
Both Jeff Smith and Steve Brown were considered Democratic players in the Missouri legislature. Smith was becoming known both for passing major pieces of legislation in a Republican-controlled assembly. He also gained attention waging high-profile filibusters.
Brown was taking a prominent organizing role in legislative committees and in the fundraising realm. Several people I talked to today expressed how the freshman legislator was well-liked within the Democratic caucus.
So the news of the pair's resignation and possible jail time is significant. But it's been interesting to see reaction from elements of the state's Republican Party.
Consider the example of House Majority Leader Steve Tilley. The Perryville Republican is charge of the House Republican Campaign Committee, an entity created to help the GOP boost its numbers in the Missouri House. So it would seem logical that Tilley would use today's events as campaign fodder.
But Tilley - who said he's worked well with Smith in the past - says he does not plan "to make a big deal" out of the pair's resignation.
"People make mistakes, it's not isolated to one party," Tilley said.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder - who potentially could be the GOP's gubernatorial nominee in 2012 - also released a statement that was full of praise for Smith.
“Over that past few years, we have worked together on
a number of educational initiatives and other legislation to benefit the urban
core in St. Louis," Kinder said in a statement. “In keeping with the teaching contained in the 25th
chapter of the Book of Mathew, I will stand by my friend during this dark time
for him and his family. While I do not condone the actions that resulted
in today’s plea, his bipartisan record prior to the incident speaks for
itself. Sen. Smith worked hard to create a better future for his
neighbors in St. Louis, and I hope his legislative career is remembered in that
manner.”
Some of the GOP praise might stem from Smith's willingness to work with Republicans on some issues, mainly in the educational realm. Tony Messenger of the Post-Dispatch wrote a few months ago about how Smith's stands in favor of charter schools and merit pay rankled his standing with some members of his party.
Smith, however, wasn't universally liked by Republicans. He ruffled the feathers of lawmakers seeking to curtail the Historic Preservation Tax Credit. Sen. Matt Bartle - a proponent of altering the credit - was visibly perturbed near the end of session when Smith made a late-night speech defending the incentive.
The Missouri Republican Party did release a statement in the afternoon chastising the two lawmakers for illustrating "the arrogant abuse of power that undermines the faith that
Missourians have in their government and their representatives."
“Those in public office have an obligation to uphold the public’s
trust—and when elected officials forget this, their careers rightly end
in disgrace," said Missouri Republican Party executive director Lloyd Smith. "These Democrats conspired to break the rules by
intentionally misleading investigators, and now they must face the
consequences. And in the end, their crimes will overshadow all of their
past legislative accomplishments.”
Dave Robertson, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, called the news a "black eye" and an "embarrassment" for Democrats. Smith's resignation in particular, he said, signals the departure of someone who could have played a big future role for the party.
Robertson also said the news could force some Democrats to be on the defensive.
"It throws the Democrats off their game," Robertson said. "They have to be defensive. It's always bad to be on the defensive."
But Robertson said Republicans still need to tread lightly. Pushing too hard, Robertson said, could prompt Democrats to highlight Republican controversies.
“Republicans have to be a little careful with that because
they have some problems of their own,” Robertson said. “If the pursue this too
much, they risk calling attention to their own shortcomings.”
As noted earlier, both Smith and Brown reside in districts that are heavily Democratic. So it's highly unlikely that the events of today will push the tide in favor of the GOP.
