Blunt's Eckersley Scandal, Day Eight

More than a week into the sad story of Scott Eckersley's firing by those within the inner circle of Governor Matt Blunt and we have yet to hear a peep from chief of staff Ed Martin, a man who all agree is a key player in the affair.

Martin's uncharacteristic recent speechlessness combined with this weekend's revelation of likely criminal activity on the part of someone in the governor's office have led a number of observers to suggest that Martin's taciturn new personality is a reflection of his exercising his "right to remain silent."  Martin, the theory goes, has dummied up in hopes of providing no more fodder for a prosecutor who may ultimately launch and investigation and file charges regarding the surreptitious and illegal snooping in Scott Eckersley's private email account.

Martin's desire to fly below the radar and avoid going on record about his participation in the many phases of wrongdoing related to the Eckersley affair is unsurprising.  No villain wants to talk to reporters.  Less understandable is why the Missouri political press has, to this point, seemed satisfied with the unsatisfactory access they've been given by the Governor's office.  Almost all questions about the Eckersley drama have been fielded by Rich Aubuchon rather than by any of the multiple administration insiders who have first-hand knowledge of past events.  And Aubuchon's shtick is getting very old.

­Very simply, we are well beyond the point at which the press should have demanded that the Blunt administration make Ed Martin available for questioning.  If Ed Martin truly has nothing to hide --and isn't laying low on the advice of a criminal defense attorney-- then why hasn't he stepped voluntarily into the light to help clear up the matter?  And if Martin is unwilling to do so, why isn't the press staking him out in order to make clear that he can't avoid the search for truth indefinitely? 

We need to know what it is Ed Martin wants so badly to hide.  Time to go on the record, Ed.  Bring your attorney with you if you must.

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