Depending on perspective, political theatrics are either an amusing aside or annoying digression from the business of lawmaking.
By any yardstick, two resolutions sponsored by a Republican legislator to impeach the Democratic attorney general are more partisan than principled, largely because they are so untimely.
State Rep. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, has two resolutions to impeach Attorney General Chris Koster, who — not coincidentally — is expected to be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee the November election.
Moon’s resolutions are based on incidents that occurred more than 18 months ago, which raises the question: If they were not deemed impeachable offenses 18 months ago, why are they impeachable offenses now that the election looms?
The representative’s response: “I’ve been pondering this for some time and had, actually, determined to file them earlier. I have been seeking counsel. Those meetings have come to an end and, so, I’ve decided to file them now.â€
Weak is a charitable assessment of Moon’s explanation.
One resolution criticizes Koster’s failure to mount a state challenge to a Jackson County Circuit Court ruling in October 2014 saying Missouri had to recognize same-sex marriages that had occurred in other states. Setting aside the legal arguments regarding the validity of a challenge, why allow 18 months to elapse before alleging Koster’s inaction was egregious?
A second resolution focuses on dealings by Koster’s office with companies that contributed to his political campaign. These are serious allegations, no less serious than they were when first reported by the media in October 2014. A House panel subsequently reviewed and validated the decisions by Koster’s office, and the matter remained at rest until revived by Moon’s recent resolutions.
We’re not suggesting or signaling support for Koster’s political aspirations. At this juncture, the nominees for governor are yet to be decided.
What we are suggesting is Moon’s motivation is blatant political theater. If Koster’s actions and inactions are impeachable offenses, then the representative has done a disservice by waiting 18 months to act.
We encourage voters not to let this and other sideshows distract attention from the important business of selecting Missouri’s next chief executive.