It's time to delete the issue of e-mails

When Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt shocked virtually everyone by announcing he would not seek re-election, his reasoning was that he had accomplished his agenda and reached his goals during his first term so why seek another term.

Since there was no other evidence to the contrary, most observers accepted Blunt's explanation. And most still do.

But now comes along a controversy involving deleted e-mails from the Governor's office. It seems that Blunt's administration has perhaps routinely deleted some e-mail correspondence and some believe that may have violated the Sunshine Law in Missouri.

So Attorney General Jay Nixon - Blunt's likely Democratic opponent had he sought re-election - wanted Blunt's office to reveal the contents of the deleted e-mails. Blunt countered with a staggering half million dollar price tag to retrieve the e-mails in question. Even staunch supporters found fault in that pricey amount.

Now Blunt counters with his own demand that Nixon provide a copy of all of his deleted e-mails. That request was just made so it has yet to be addressed.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it may well be a duck. And though there is absolutely no evidence to support the argument, Blunt's administration is sure acting like there is something to hide. We hope that's not the case but even a mild cynic would cast a cautious eye on this latest political brouhaha.

Is there a connection between Blunt's departure from the gubernatorial race and the issue of deleted e-mails? Is Blunt's price for retrieval of these e-

mails just a stalling tactic? Does Nixon know something we don't know? All legitimate questions and all currently unanswered.

Until proven otherwise, I will continue to believe Matt Blunt is squeaky clean. I will believe the heated debate between himself and the Attorney General is more about partisan bickering than questionable substance. And if proven wrong, I will admit my misgivings and lick my wounds.

To that end, I join others in calling on Gov. Blunt to provide all of the deleted e-mails in quick order. If some fall under the exemption of executive privilege, then he needs to invoke that provision. And in return, Nixon should do the same. It's time we either get to the substance or move past the rhetoric. Enough already!