| Our 7th Congressional District on August 3, 2010, is in the unique position of electing both a Congressman and potentially the next member of the U.S. House leadership. Since 1961, we have consistently elected strong conservative Republicans; Congressmen Doc Hall, Gene Taylor and Mel Hancock gave voice to our values in Washington D.C. Congressman Roy Blunt elevated the seat to a position of national leadership by serving as U.S. House Republican Whip (2003-2009) and interim U.S. House Majority Leader (2005-2006). Blunt's political initiative put our district in the position to make key decisions affecting our nation's direction.
Looking to the most promising of the candidate pool in the Republican primary, how can we judge what kind of party leader State Senator Gary Nodler (Joplin), State Senator Jack Goodman (Mt. Vernon) or auctioneer Billy Long (Springfield) would make? Let's look at their record.
Nodler appears to be the candidate most likely to push for reform of Washington D.C.'s wasteful spending. As a former small business owner, he understands how to create jobs. In the Missouri Senate, he served as the Chair to the Senate Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees, utilizing his business experience to get the most out of Missouri's tax dollars and cut wasteful spending. What distinguishes him from the rest of the candidates is the 15 years he served as regional staff director for Congressman Gene Taylor. Nodler has the experience to lead the House Republicans in the fight against the Obama Administration's out of control spending.
Goodman has legislative leadership experience, having served as assistant majority leader in both the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives. He has proven to be a talented legislator in Jefferson City, but his strength would be put to the test in Washington D.C. Drafting successful minority legislation requires concessions to get language adopted and bills passed, the kind of proverbial “sausage-making” that leaves such a bitter taste in the public's mouth. Goodman never has put together legislation from the minority position.
Long's selling point has been that he is not a politician, which obviously means he has no legislative leadership experience. He is basing his candidacy on his experience as a small business owner. Though he has made a living making deals as an auctioneer, leading a Conservative coalition to take back the Republican party and the House will take more than a sales pitch from a trailer bed.
Congressional Republicans are searching for a leader. We must elect the candidate that is most capable of taking the reins of the Republican Party and returning this nation to the path of fiscal discipline. That candidate must have the ability to make bold moves to lead others in Congress to restrain wasteful spending and work to support our small businesses. Nodler is that candidate.
Commentary by Hampton Williams, Kansas City, MO Go Back | 
