by Jim Carrier
Found at www.semotimes.com

To some, Sarah Steelman is a rogue politician who only cares about her own ambitions, even at the expense of her own party. However, after you are done canvassing the few hundred most rabidly patrician Republicans (which is being estimated at 300 is a bit high these days) and you get to visit with regular Missourians, you will find that most folks see Sarah Steelman as a maverick who has the courage to fight for working families and is not about to take orders from party bosses when they conflict with her conservative principles. We recently had a chance to sit down and interview Sarah Steelman, not in some stuffy government meeting room or high priced office tower, but instead in a mall around regular people like you and me, where she is the most comfortable. After the interview, we decided that no story we could write could be as informative or interesting as us removing the filter and allowing you to hear Sarah Steelman “in her own words.”

What has Sarah Steelman been up to since the election? “Well, I’ve been spending time withmy family and I am also teaching apolitical science course at Missouri State University.” What is your feeling on President Obama’s plans to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? “I am totally against having terrorist housed in our  communities and this issue underscores why we need more votes in the United States Senate.” What are your views on Government censorship, namely the “Fairness Doctrine,” or even a more local issue of an elected official stealing hundreds of local newspapers to stifle the free press and avoid criticism (not a joke)? “I am totally against any government censorship. The fairness doctrine is wrong and the market should decide. Any attempt by law  enforcement to censor the press is completely out of line.”

Can you give us your thoughts on the current state of the Republican Party?
“I think we need to take stock of where we are and look at how we got here. I think we need to be more principally conservative, and reflect on  just how we lost the House and Senate. The people do not trust us to be conservatives because we were anything but conservative when we were in the majority. Jack Kemp knew how to do this, and we should learn from his example.”

There have been reports that you are planning to run for the U.S. Senate…
“I am thinking about running. As you know I have set up an exploratory committee, and I am talking with people all over the state, but more importantly I am listening to people to hear what they feel is important. I want to make sure it is the right thing to do for my family, our country, and our party”

This race seems to many to be similar to the Governor’s race, with a well known Democrat running against a renounced Republican, who is rather boring on TV, who touts years in Congress for his excuse to be voted in. Can you take us through the process you took to run for Governor?
“I always learn from my mistakes. There are things I would do differently. However, there are certainly some similarities. I want to focus on what is wrong in Washington, and the fact that we need new leadership and fresh faces. If I can offer some of that new leadership, I would consider that.”

Several readers have commented that your charisma and ability to  elate to regular working
Missourians is similar to that of Sarah Palin’s. Do you have any comment on that?
“I am flattered by that comparison and I have read that a couple places. I think it’s a great compliment. She is a reformer and very well grounded. We both strive to put people first.”

The first time we spoke, you were at your child’s track meet. Can you give us some insight on thechallenges of leading a public life with a family?

“It is difficult for anyone to work and raise a family. Being in public life makes it a little more hectic, but I really don’t face any more challenges than any other working mom.”

Since you’ve been teaching a political science course at Missouri State University, we are going toask you to put on your political analyst cap and answer the question that several local Republicans have asked us, if two years ago a well-known and relatively well- liked Democrat faced off against a poor fund-raising, poor communicating, old white guy in a suit from Washington and get trounced by 20 points, why would this race be any different?

“I am not sure that it will be, but I do think that the economy has changed since the last election. In two years, people may begin to see that President Obama’s left wing policies are not the solutions America needs. A lot of what happens in 2010 depends upon the economy.  Similar to two years ago, a lot of the established Republicans jumped out of the gate to endorse a fellow Washington insider. Even our own, and for that matter your, Congresswoman Jo Ann  Emerson endorsed Congressman Blunt just as she did Congressman Hulshof very early. What are your thoughts on endorsements? “They obviously  don’t mean much to anyone in this mall or many regular working people. It is way
too early for people to care about that sort of thing if they care at all.”

What is your TV show?
“24.”
Do you support naming Highway 40 tn St. Louis Jack Buck Boulevard?
“Of course. I love Jack Buck!”
If there was one dinner that is your favorite to eat with your family, what would it be?
“Steak.”
Ok let’s try some word association:
Barack Obama- “Intelligent, but naive, and his policies scare me a bit.”
Twitter- “I wonder if anybody really cares what I’m doing?”
Jason Crowell- “Intense.”
Robin Carnahan- “Very Disciplined.”
Roy Blunt- “Washington.”
Tony Messenger - “Good reporter.”
You Tube- “Love it.”
Lloyd Smith- “Dedicated.”
The new Star Trek movie- “I’m not a Trekie, but I really liked it.”
Rod Jetton- “Marine.”
Sarah Palin- “Mom.”
Jeff Roe- “Hardcore.”
Chad Livengood – “Excellent reporter.”
Jim Carrier can be reached by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it