An attempt to block the confirmation of one of Governor Blunt’s appointments to the University of Missouri Board of Curators has failed. But not until Senator Matt Bartle (R-Lee’s Summit) sustained a 17-hour filibuster. Bartle opposed the appointment of Warren Erdman, a Kansas City business executive, on a couple of points. Bartle says Erdman has become too strong an advocate for embryonic stem cell research and other research that Bartle claims amounts to human cloning. Bartle contends that would color Erdman’s judgment as a curator. Bartle also is critical of Erdman’s opposition to his re-election campaign, charging that Erdman played a behind-the-scenes role in mounting a challenge to Bartle in last August’s primary election. Erdman acknowledges he opposed Bartle’s re-election, but denies he played an active role in the campaign. Bartle began his filibuster at 10:30am Thursday. It ended at 3:25am Friday with Bartle muttering, “I’m disappointed, but that’s the way it goes.” He sat down and the Senate confirmed the appointment of Erdman to the board.