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Columbia Missourian

Editorial missed the mark with Blunt remark

By From Rich Chrismer, deputy chief of staff for communications, Office of Missouri
February 14, 2008 | 1:00 p.m. CST

It is flattering to know that your former managing editor and a professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism George Kennedy believes Missouri’s Gov. Matt Blunt could be a top-choice as a vice presidential candidate.

As a professor of journalism, Mr. Kennedy has an important responsibility to teach future journalists about accuracy. Mr. Kennedy failed to live up to that standard with his recent column asserting that Mrs. Blunt “wouldn’t move to Jeff City.”

As a member of Gov. Blunt’s staff, I happen to be an authority on the governor and Mrs. Blunt’s schedule and have had the privilege of visiting their residence on the second floor of the Governor’s Mansion.

Governor and Mrs. Blunt not only moved to and live in the Governor’s Mansion, their son William Branch is enrolled at preschool in Jefferson City. In fact, the Blunts invited their son’s class to the Mansion for Halloween.

It is troubling that a professor of journalism would make such an assertion about Missouri’s First Lady without examining the facts.