In our legal system, Gov. Eric Greitens is innocent until proven guilty. But his ability to effectively lead the state has been compromised.
We commend the Missouri House of Representatives for quickly setting up an investigation of the charge against Greitens. We also believe it's past time for the governor to consider whether staying in office is in the best interest of the state.
Greitens faces a felony invasion of privacy indictment stemming from his 2015 extramarital affair with his former hairdresser. The allegation is that he took a photo of her when she was at least partially nude, in a manner that made the photo available to be seen on a computer.
Greitens has admitted to the affair, but denied doing anything illegal.
House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, and Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, issued a joint statement shortly after the indictment was announced Thursday. "We will carefully examine the facts contained in the indictment and answer the question as to whether or not the governor can lead our state while a felony case moves forward," the statement said in part. "The people of Missouri deserve no less."
They're right.
The probe is serious - it's the first step in the process of impeachment, if needed. But lawmakers in both chambers and in both parties seem to understand the gravity of the investigation and the need to be fair. They also understand that, in fairness to Missourians, they need to act quickly.
Richardson made a good choice in Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, to head up the investigating committee. At a Monday news conference, Barnes pledged a "fair, thorough and timely" investigation "without any pre-ordained results."
But right now our state is governed by a politically hobbled leader and a Legislature that is diverting its attention from its three main duties: making laws, passing a state budget and representing its constituency.
Missourians deserve a full-time governor and, during session, a full-time Legislature. Right now, we're not getting either.
While the House starts its investigation, we ask Greitens to consider this question: Does your ability to keep your job outweigh the need for 6 million Missourians to have an effective, full-time governor? We don't believe it does.