Less than a month after the 2010 elections, Sarah Steelman finally came off the fence with a convincing I am running for the Senate. It was easy to see at that time, deals were made in the GOP to keep Steelman out of the 2010 race to benefit Blunt. Blunt knew the damage Steelman created for Kenny Huslshof as Steelman delivered a negative campaign in 2008 in the Missouri Republican primary, and knowing the cost to Hulshof, obviously Steelman was promised support of the GOP and Blunt if she would just go away in 2009.
The reward for backing out, well it's obvious Steelman is the chosen one in 2009, despite the fact she can't even have a half-way competent discussion on free trade with the embarrassment of a Congressman she endorsed in 2010.
The deal is becoming more apparent. Without any other Republican announcing they will run, key Blunt personnel are already backing Steelman without any debate, ideas, or analysis. Gregg Hartley has announced his endorsement of Steelman.
Who is Gregg Hartley?
Well he is a Blunt insider. The National Journal writes:
Hartley is one of the top lobbyists on Capitol Hill, currently working for Cassidy and Associates. He has deep ties to Missouri, having served as Sen. Roy Blunt's (R) chief of staff as he was ascending the leadership in the House.
In an email to his personal email list -- obtained by Hotline On Call -- Hartley threw his weight behind Steelman. The email had the subject, "Steel Magnolia from Missourah," and in it Hartley wrote that he is ready to back Steelman even though it is unclear whether there will be a contested Republican primary.
"Too early to know for sure if there will be a serious primary or to predict winners," Hartley wrote. "But supporting a solid candidate isn't always that big of a choice. I've made mine."
The deal was made in 2009. Sarah Steelman has been picked, and it's all in play. After a bitter pre-primary which Steelman and Blunt engaged in vicious jabs against each other, Steelman soon showed up on Blunt's campaign team after announcing she wouldn't run as the chair for "Small Businessmen and Women for Blunt." Since then, it's been an obvious progression to set up Steelman for 2012.
