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| J. Carnahan | M. Carnahan |
Posted on 07/01/2002 8:46:12 PM PDT by Optimist
GOP stalwarts make issue of Carnahan benefits
State benefits paid to U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan in connection with her husband’s death have prompted complaints from some Republicans, but her likely challenger in the upcoming election for her Senate seat said the payments aren’t an issue.
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| J. Carnahan | M. Carnahan |
Carnahan was awarded a workers’ compensation benefit of $599.96 per week in connection with her husband’s death, payments that began in January. Mel Carnahan died on Oct. 16, 2000, in a plane crash south of St. Louis. The governor was flying on a private plane piloted by his son and was headed to a campaign rally in southeast Missouri.
The "statement of facts" agreed to by the state said Mel Carnahan "sustained an injury resulting in his death arising out of and in the course of his employment." According to the attorney general’s office, which agreed to the statement of facts, legal precedent is clear in stipulating that "the governor is always the governor, regardless of where he goes."
"The governor has security 24-7," said Douglas Nelson, the assistant attorney general who signed off on the agreement. "The way we looked at it was simply because he’s running for another office doesn’t mean that he’s not the governor."
Nelson cited a Missouri Supreme Court case dating to the administration of Gov. John Ashcroft. In that case, the court ruled that then-Gov. Ashcroft’s absence from the state did not disable him from performing the duties of the office and that it didn’t matter whether the governor was away on official or personal business.
The issue highlights the politically sensitive nature of the Carnahan-Talent race. With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, the GOP is desperately trying to take back the seat previously held by John Ashcroft. Challengers must strike a delicate balance between attacking a potentially vulnerable freshman and being sensitive to a woman less than two years removed from the death of her husband.
A spokesman for Talent said his campaign team will not make an issue of the compensation. "Jim Talent does not begrudge any of the legal benefits that Mrs. Carnahan is entitled to," said Rich Chrismer.
But other Republicans have been more critical. In an item headlined "You paid for it," an Internet newsletter published by state Republican Party communications director Scott Baker, said, "You’ll recall that Governor Carnahan died while flying to a campaign appearance, but Missouri’s Attorney General insists that he died ‘on the job’ because governors are ‘always on duty.’ "
Cindy Beale, a GOP activist who was Boone County coordinator for the George W. Bush campaign, said she was "really ticked off" when she heard about the payments. "It’s an odd position to be in," she said, "because the poor woman has lost her husband and her son. … Under the law I’m sure she’s entitled to it or she wouldn’t have done it, but I just thought she shouldn’t have taken that money."
Under the agreement, the state has "subrogation" rights, which means that if Carnahan gets an award from a lawsuit, the state could take back about 75 percent of the benefits that have been awarded so far and could receive a credit in place of future payments. Jean Carnahan is a plaintiff in a wrongful death suit in connection with the crash.
Joann Lindemann, of the state Department of Labor, said workers’ compensation awards are based on the average weekly wage of the employee. She said Jean Carnahan received the maximum benefit, which is generally awarded in cases where the deceased employee makes about $50,000 a year or more.
Tony Wyche, a spokesman for Carnahan, said the senator "accepted the death benefits, which her counsel advised her she was lawfully entitled to."
the argument is that the governor is always on duty ... what about police, highway patrol, doctors, conservation agents......does that mean they get their benefits no matter what?
This story has been buried so far. This is the only place I have seen it published.
Of course, the Trib's flunkoids are firmly attached to those goobers who infest things a little ways South, down US 63.
Sure hope someone finally writes the political obit for da worthless widow, but keep in mind, friends, the second rule of Missouri politics: Nobody from STL wins state-wide office.
The first rule, just for the convenience of our non-Missourian colleagues here, is: Thou shalt not tax the farmer.
Rooting for the upset, and to h*ll with polls, they don't mean squat until we get a bunch of Federal marshals on the North Side for all of Election Day.
Good read, thanks.
Good catch!
I was down in Arcadia Valley last night and as I turned onto Hiway 21 to go north from 49? there was a HUGE Jean Carnahan sign on the side of the road... Looked but no Talent sign to be seen...
Why not? It's no worse than the Post Dispatch.....not a ringing endorsement I know!!
Talent's no fool, this issue is best left alone.
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