TheChat: Here’s how Jay Nixon approached the job of Missouri governor

Good morning.

▪ “I've always, I think, respected other people, and I've tried to always take the high road — especially in this job.” — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon reflecting on his years in office.

A few Republicans will take exception to this statement, and some of Nixon’s decisions in office will be stoutly criticized as reporters and columnists assess his eight years as governor. But he’s right: When it comes to the way Jay Nixon went about the job of overseeing Missouri, he can take pride in the notion that he has largely comported himself with class.

▪ Governor, the people of Kansas have seen through your charade.” — Patrick Lowry in an editorial in The Hays Daily News ripping Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback for criticizing the media and deflecting blame for the state’s sorry budget woes.

Simply put, the media isn’t buying Brownback’s spin, Lowry said, and that’s a good thing because the state’s economy would be in worse shape if it didn’t.

▪ “I really wanted to give the ethics commission more power to hold us accountable for the rules we're supposed to follow.” — Missouri state Rep.-elect Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, on a bill she’s filed that would elevate the Missouri Ethics Commission to the same legal standing as the state attorney general's office.

Bills to improve state ethics are flying around the state Capitol these days. Giving the Ethics Commission more authority is a worthy goal. Democrats are attempting to side with Republican Gov.-elect Eric Greitens on ethics reform.

▪ “Doesn’t know much.” — former President Bill Clinton assessing Donald Trump.

One thing Trump does know is how to get angry white men to vote for him, Clinton said.