DELAY PROBE TOUCHES MISSOURI GOVERNOR

Gov. Matt Blunt's campaign finance records from 2000 are in the hands of Ronnie Earle, the Texas prosecutor going after Rep. Tom DeLay, former House majority leader and mentor of the governor's father, Rep. Roy Blunt.

We heard a rumor on Thursday that this story was about the bust in the mainstream media. Now it's done broke in the Kansas City Star:

Missouri Democrats said the development is significant.

“It’s not often that you see the culture of corruption that’s going on in Washington reach down to the state level,” said Democratic spokesman Jack Cardetti.

A spokesman for Blunt, however, pointed out that Blunt’s 2000 campaign records for his successful campaign for secretary of state have been public for five years. Spokesman Spence Jackson said he had no idea what information Earle’s office was seeking.

“All the contributions that Governor Blunt has received have been lawful and have been diligently reported and are open for any citizen to review,” Jackson said.

Earle’s actions in his case have been criticized by DeLay’s attorneys, who accuse Earle of a vendetta.

Roy Temple's Fired Up Missouri blog broke the story. We suspect he's also up to speed on other nastiness in Jefferson City, including:

•Lobbyists being pressured to fork over "campaign contributions" just to get an appointment with legislative leaders.

•Senior Republicans being told by Gov. Blunt's people that their advice isn't wanted or needed.

•Partisan micromanaging by the governor's office of state agencies and employees.

Not to mention an intoxicated state senator using his loud, croaky voice to mangle songs at a piano bar while hitting on the ladies. Where's our video cell phone when we need it?