The failed nomination of Missouri supreme court judge Ronnie White for a federal post is making political waves again. Senator John Ashcroft lead the way in defeating White, and Governor Carnahan made hay out of it during their first debate last week. Carnahan called Ashcroft’s actions “crass partisanship of the worst kind,” though he refused to say why he thought Ashcroft opposed White. Last year, the governor told reporters the senator’s actions had “racial overtones.” Ashcroft countered, saying he has a good record on minority issues. He says he appointed the first black judge to Missouri’s western court of appeals when he was governor, and he approved 90% of other minority and female federal nominees he’s considered in the senate.
