Peter Kinder's 10 Most Horrifying Misadventures of 2009 (So Far)

It's almost Halloween, so we thought we'd revisit some of the spookiest, scariest and most embarrassing political misadventures for our dear Peter Kinder today.  Months later, we're still not sure if we should laugh or scream.

#10 Encouraging Kids To Skip School To Avoid A Speech About Staying in School
In early September, Kinder joined the right-wing hysteria about a speech from President Obama addressed to students encouraging students to stay and school and work hard.  How horrifying.

Kinder said any viewing of the optional speech at school would be "a clear infringement on the rights of our students and those of Missouri parents," and made some embarrassingly inaccurate claims about the history of such speeches. 

In response, the Kansas City Star said the outrage from Kinder and his fellow conservatives was a "shameful spectacle."

#9 Importing Podium Girls From Georgia
Seriously: since taxpayers need to help pay for attractive women to kiss stage winners, couldn't we get some local talent?  Or -- heaven forbid -- ask for volunteers?

#8 Tripping Into The Twitterverse
Expressing support in February for RNC Chair Michael Steel's hip hop outreach idea to expand the GOP tent, Kinder said: "Young people [are] going online for their news. They’re reading blogs, they’re reading something, they’re doing something called Twitter."

Not surprisingly, young Republicans were not impressed with Kinder's outreach idea.  

Since that time, however, Team Kinder has devoted a significant amount of staff time to reaching the "young people" with Teh Twitter.  Kinder's staff have distinguished themselves with their prolific and shameless twitter action.

#7 Claims Being Bribed To Extend Unemployment Benefits
What is it with the Lt. Governor and breathless accusations of extortion?  Don't want to extend unemployment benefits?  Fine. But bribery?  Come on.

#6 Facilitating the KC Chiefs' Tax Credit Switcheroo
Last year, the Chiefs publicly committed to keeping their new training camp in Missouri "for a minimum of ten years" to get a $25 million tax credit from the MDFB.  However, after making those commitments and an MDFB vote to approve the credit based on those promises, Kinder's office facilitated changes in the deal that were beneficial to the Chiefs -- and not the taxpayers.

Later, the lawyer for the MDFB concluded that the agreement worked out "with help from Kinder's office" contained "provisions that...were not specifically set forth in the Board’s approval."

#5 Using Official Resources To Make A Factually-Challenged Campaign Video
Earlier this month, Kinder's office created a web video to express outrage with the Senate Finance Committee's health care reform proposal and direct traffic to Kinder's campaign website.  Apart from some basic factual problems with the video, the use of official resources for campaign purposes raises real questions. 

#4 Overplaying His Hand on MIAC Report Controversy
Kinder repeatedly misrepresented the contents of the controversial MIAC militia report. but then infuriated the conservative activists who were upset about the report.  "He’s nowhere to be found on actually delivering the solution to this problem. Despite his skillfully taking a public bow for the hard work of others, it should be pointed out that Mr. Kinder contributed nothing to this effort other than empty words," wrote Libertarian Party spokesman Mike Ferguson.

#3 Wearing A Plaid Blazer Over A Running Suit
There's just no excuse for this fashion disaster -->

#2 The "Rumors and Third-Hand Reports" Press Call
This one still has us scratching our heads. Kinder and GOP House Budget Chair Allen Icet organized a conference call in June to alarm reporters with "rumors" and "third-hand reports" that Gov. Nixon was "extorting" universities to fund a top-priority health-care initiative.

Pressed to back up his accusations, Kinder admitted: "I have no proof."  Ouch.

(Curiously, after using Icet as a PR prop for the call, Kinder chose the relatively unknown Thomas Schweich over Icet in the State Auditor's race.)

#1 Intentionally Misleading the Public About Tour of Missouri Contracts
In mid-July, Peter Kinder repeatedly suggested to media outlets that the taxpayers would be on the hook for millions of dollars in broken contracts if the state didn't fully fund the Tour of Missouri.  Except at the time, the Tour had no contracts with the state.

At the same time, that week did give us the classic "THIS IS PETER!" conference call.