This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Aug. 22, 2012 - As the spotlight continues to shine on Republican U.S. Senate nominee Todd Akin, some of his fellow GOP candidates are seeking to campaign quietly in the shadows.
For example: An aide to Dave Spence, the Republican candidate for Missouri governor, ejected the Beacon from an event that Spence was holding at noon Wednesday in a ballroom at the Clayton Sheraton hotel.
The headline guest: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell -- the type of ally that a candidate usually lobbies the press to cover.
Spence apparently had earlier addressed members of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, which was meeting at the same hotel. His campaign wouldn’t say.
Spence’s large campaign RV, wrapped in campaign slogans, was parked in front of the hotel. Dozens of Spence’s campaign yard signs were in the hotel lobby outside the ballroom, and contribution envelopes were on a table.
But aide Chris Martin would say only “no press allowed.” He declined to say what the event was about or offer any explanation as to why the press was barred from covering Spence’s remarks.
Sources told the Beacon that the event may have been a fundraiser, reportedly hosted by McDonnell. However, Spence’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
But later, Spence campaign aide Rich Chrismer sent out a Tweet declaring, "Phenomenal event today for @SpenceForMo feat. Virginia Gov. @BobMcDonnell."
Spence’s last public appearances appear to have been with the state GOP’s statewide tour last week featuring all the Republican nominees for statewide office.
Spence's low profile isn't unusual, at the moment, among any of Missouri's statewide nominees or the Missouri Republican Party. All of them, it seems, are reluctant to attract any public or press attention -- which wasn't the case until a few days ago, when Akin's abortion comments became headline news.
