In an ideal world, the astounding accomplishments of Governor Matt Blunt would be widely reported and praised by an unbiased news media. The public would know that employment, the state economy and healthcare system have risen Phoenix-like from the floundering mess Blunt inherited in January 2005. The results of the 2008 gubernatorial election would be a foregone conclusion:

Governor Blunt Re-Elected By Historic Majority Vote
But this is not an ideal world and, contrary to their disingenuous protestations to the contrary, the news media has a liberal bias and agenda. After three years of unceasing press criticism and negative "spinning" of the Governor's policies, Blunt has only a 1-2% lead over his opponent, and trial lawyer favorite Jay Nixon.

During Democrat Jay Nixon's unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate, a trial lawyer wrote in a circulated solicitation letter, "Trial lawyers can make a real difference in this year's race for the U.S. Senate and that means a real difference in tort reform across America....Tort lawyers have every reason to pour money into Jay Nixon's campaign." And, "This is the most important race in the country for trial lawyers."

Undoubtedly they feel the same way about the 2008 Governor's race.

No Governor in recent times has been so wholly and publicly committed to the medical and health needs of Missouri citizens. No Governor has worked as effectively with the legislature to enact laws that have objectively improved the lot of Missouri's physicians and their patients. No Governor has so enraged the tort kings and queens of the Million Dollar Judgment Roundtable.

Consider these facts that the Fourth Estate has chosen to largely ignore:

• The Department of Insurance reported that last year there was a 61% decline in new malpractice claims, down from 2,822 in 2005 to 1,113. Closed claims increased 27%. Tellingly, claims closed with payment decreased 19%, while those without payment increased 37%.
• The Department of Insurance and other state agencies are now led by Blunt-appointed competent and dedicated individuals.
• The price of malpractice insurance has stabilized, in some instances declined, and new carriers are entering our state market, making prices more competitive.
• Missouri's Medicaid Program, which had threatened to bankrupt the entire state budget in 2005, has been stabilized and money is now available to help our truly indigent.
• The physician exodus to Kansas and elsewhere has abated and new physicians are no longer eschewing practice in the Show Me state.
• Reportedly, many trial lawyers are spending less time in Aspen and have missed payments on their yachts.

Re-electing Governor Matt Blunt to a second term in 2008 is the single most important thing for the medical and healthcare professions.

Each of you should make a substantial donation of your time and money to Blunt's re-election. Each of you should start educating your family, friends, and especially your patients, about the Governor's achievements.

A Blunt re-election is the tort bar's most dreaded nightmare. That alone should bring every physician, whether Republican, Democrat or Independent, into the Blunt camp with checkbook in hand. In the last election physicians were a prime reason Governor Blunt was elected. We must do more than 2004! Go to the Blunt website (www.mattblunt.com) now to donate and join his campaign.