KANDER BLOCKED BY MISSOURI GOP!!!

This is bad for Kansas City and once again proves that so many Show-Me State Republicans don't give a damn about this town or our political representation . . .

Republican Speaker Ron Richard blocked Rep. Jason Kander's (D-Kansas City) appointment to the professional licensing and registration committee.

The professional registration committee oversees the regulation of a variety of professions ranging from insurance agents to physicians. Kander remains on the Homeland Security Committee and the high-profile Budget Committee.

A select few other Democratic appointments were blocked, but only Kander did not receive another appointment as a consolation prize.

Here's the characterization of the move from Kander's press release:

In a late-night meeting between Republican and Democratic senior staff, Speaker Ron Richard’s office characterized Rep. Jason Kander ( D-Kansas City ), an attorney and Afghanistan veteran, as a “political problem” for the Republicans. Accordingly, the Speaker took the extraordinary step of blocking Kander’s appointment to the powerful professional licensing and registration committee.

Kander, who was sworn in less than two weeks ago, is the only rank-and-file member of either party that the Speaker has limited to just two committees.

Here's the snarky quote from Kander which I like: "I came here to champion the economic agenda that gave Governor Nixon a twenty point victory, so this presents an obstacle,” said Kander, “but I’ve decided to take the advice of senior members and view this as a roundabout vote of confidence from the Republican leadership."

I have to agree with looking at the move this way but I have to note that Missouri Republicans have made these same moves before and it's not only what cost them the Governor's race but it's also responsible for them slowly losing their death grip on Missouri.