The obsessively ambitious never really give up after a setback, they just regroup, retool, and go on like nothing ever happened. In the Show Me State, former Governor Eric Greitens has decided the time is now for a return:
Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate Monday evening — three years after resigning in the face of a string of scandals, including allegations of violent sexual abuse and blackmail.
After weeks of speculation, Greitens confirmed on Fox News that he will seek retiring Republican Sen. Roy Blunt’s seat in 2022. He launched a campaign website in coordination with his Fox appearance.
“I’ve been so encouraged by the people of Missouri that I’m happy announce tonight that I’m running for the United States Senate to continue serving the people of Missouri,” Greitens told host Bret Baier. “The people of Missouri need a fighter in the United States Senate,” Greitens said, promising to fight for former President Donald Trump’s agenda.
He rattled off a list of accomplishments from his short tenure as governor, but he glossed over the scandals that caused him to resign midway through his second year in office.
Glossed over, you say? Well, that’s what Read It For Yourself is all about. The chaotic final days of the Greitens’ governorship are detailed here, his felony charge for stealing from a veterans charity that was dropped as part of an agreement for his resignation is here, the $178K ethics fine he paid is here, and the investigation by The House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight including testimony to the woman who accused him of assaulting her and which was controlled by Greitens own party is here to read in full.
The House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight:
Eric Greitens Report
It amazes me that a person can get busted for having a small amount of drugs on their person and that conviction will ensure they never run for public office, but this guy…
Hopefully his opponents will blast his bad acts front and center and he’ll just burn up a whole lot of money going nowhere.Report
In a world where Donald Trumps’ bad acts were blasted front and center before and during his 4 year term as president, I would no longer expect that to be the outcome.Report
Sadly, I agree.Report
Last week also brought us Josh Mandel (Shande vir de goyim-Ohio) intentionally committing racism so he could get banned by Twitter and complain about cancel culture. He had been trying for a bit at this and was called out before the ban.
2022 is going to be a test of how red states like Missouri and Ohio are. These are former states where Democrats used to be competitive but they have gotten more right-wing as the population of the states has grown older, whiter, and less formally educated. The fleeing of youth increases the resentment. Blunt and Portman may be retiring but a GOP primary circus and an Aiken like candidate prone to stunts might not be enough of a lift for the Democrats even if they nominate people out of central casting like this guy:
https://lucaskunce.com/Report