It may have been overlooked and certainly it was overshadowed by Rex Sinquefield’s $1.2 million contribution to his own Let Voters Decide Committee promoting the Everything Tax Increase. But a $2,500 donation reported the same day is notable for both its donor and its recipient. The check was from Dr. William Danforth, of the famously Republican Danforths (as well as retired WashU Chancellor). The recipient was State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, who is unchallenged as the Democrats’ standard bearer for re-election this November. A former St. Louis County state representative, Zweifel is focused on re-election, but many of his supporters say they are looking to the 2016 Missouri governor’s race. So the bipartisan backing of a Danforth gives the affable Zweifel the scent of consensus.

Governor Jay Nixon is accepting applications for a two-year appointment to be Missouri’s next poet laureate. The incumbent is David Clewell, Professor of English at Webster University. One of the panel members reviewing applications for the next poet laureate will be Kris Kleindienst, owner of Left Bank Books. In his statement soliciting poetic applications , the Gov noted that the Show-Me State “has a long tradition of poets and authors whose words have moved and inspired generations of people around the world.” Our own nominee would be the Gov’s own chief speech writer, former Grey Old Lady editorial page editor Christy Bertelson, whose deft touch has definitely stepped up Nixon’s rhetorical game with inspiring flourishes. But there are others who could offer a few verses to qualify as Missouri’s official poet. The love letters that brought together Mr. and Mrs. WashU Chancellor Mark Wrighton are the stuff of legend. The private diaries of SLU Prexy Rev. Larry Biondi would surely move him to the head of the pack, though his remembrances of Haulover Beach might be lost on Missourians more knowledgeable about Lake of the Ozarks’ Party Cove. The various public pronouncements by former St. Louis Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza were always vivid, if not poetic. Because the poet laureate is expected to visit schools and lecture students, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s memoirs of going Eastside to court a Penthouse Pet are probably a disqualifier. No one will confuse the Tweets of Mayor Francis Slay with Shakespeare, witty though they may be. at times Former First Lady and United States Senator Jean Carnahan prefers to devote her books to essays on fun subjects such as the lives of families who lived in the Governors Mansion. And, of course, Ed Martin is always looking to switch his mission – first the race for U.S. Senate, then 2nd Congress and as of Thursday, attorney general - so maybe the poet laureate will be Unsteady Eddie’s next target for employment.

It would be naïve to think authorship of a lovely volume of poetry is the sole qualification to be Missouri’s poet laureate. The stringent application form provided by Governor Jay Nixon’s appointments assistant Deborah Price office would likely disqualify hard-living poetry luminaries Allen Ginsberg, Shel Silverstein and Oscar Wilde, among others. In addition to the applicant’s Social Security Number, Drivers License Number and marital status and spouse’s full name, it asks whether the poet laureate prospect has ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation. And this: “Is there anything in your or your spouse’s background that might become an embarrassment to you if it were to become public? Please consider
carefully any letters to the editor, blog posts, etc., which you or your spouse may have authored, even anonymously.” So much for the Bergermeister’s army of confidential tipsters who might be poetically inclined. Here’s the kicker that gets to the real point of the inquisition with the last two words: “Please provide any other information, including information about other members of your family, which could suggest a conflict of interest or be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, the Board/Commission for which you are applying, or the Governor.”

The kitchen is full of artistry, and a fine meal can be as moving as poetry. Maybe the Gov should look to St. Louis’ finest restaurant menus to see real poetic beauty as he ponders the next poet laureate. Just read these superb St. Louis entrees aloud on an empty stomach to titillate your tummy and make love to your ears: >From Tony’s: “Osetra Caviar…Ziti Amatriciana…Lobster Albanello.”  Now serving at Napoli 2: “Veal Chop Vino Rosso…Ricotta Gnocchi “al forno”… Farfalle alla Vodka.”  The most silky-sounding dishes may be at Bel Lago:  “Carpaccio Di manzo Con Parmigiano e Gocce di Tartufo…Pezzi di Aragosta alla Panna Con Fungetti…Costello di Vitello Parmigiano.”

The politically peripatetic Ed Martin is switching races again.  First the controversial former chief of staff to GOP ex-Governor Matt Blunt was running for the party nomination for U.S. Senate. But squeezed out by Sarah Steelman and John Brunner and gaining no traction for the right to take on incumbent Dem. Sen. Claire McCaskill.  Edgy Ed pivoted to the GOP primary for 2nd District Congress. But Ann Wagner is mopping up money and endorsements in that contest. So as early as Thursday, the boot-wearing barrister will be switching to the attorney general’s race. Employment-seeking Ed would hope to face well-funded incumbent Dem. A.G. Chris Koster in November.  Quipped one Republican insider, “Ed should support cloning, so he can run in all of the races at the same time!”