Densy: Kinsley Acting 'Melodramatic' In Monomi Governor's Scandal

Congressman say lieutenant governor putting 'politics before the people'

TREETON, MON--Calling the scandal surrounding Governor Scott King a "soap opera," Rep. John Densy (C-Treeton) reiterated his calls for the embattled governor to step down, and also scolded the state's lieutenant governor, Erica Kinsley (NAT), for using the governor's scandal for her own political advantage.

"The governor needs to step down," Densy told host Dan Leitner, of the GBC's Sunday morning program Up Front Live. "But at the same time, Erica Kinsley is prancing around the state telling people to recall the governor, speaking at anti-Scott King rallies, and basically attacking him. It's all quite a melodramatic situation that's unfolding, and she's doing it purely for political purposes and it's wrong."

Densy said that while King may have not broken the law, he has "undoubtedly lost the trust of the people," and should step down as governor. However, Densy saved his harshest criticism for Lt. Gov. Kinsley, whom he said is "putting politics before the people" by engaging in a war of words with King.

"I don't have a problem with [Kinsley] calling for the governor's resignation," Densy told Leitner. "But attacking him and exploiting the situation for her own political gain is not right, and she should stop doing it."

Mr. Densy also praised the Conservative Party's response to the scandal, saying the party has acted in a "concerned but non-vindictive manner." However, the Congressman lambasted the Nationalist Party's response, saying party leaders have been slow to react.

"You don't see Sen. [Hanna] Gorbachy out there calling for Governor King to step down. You don't see Senator [Nathan] Lister calling for him to step down. The only Nationalist that has is my colleague, Congresswoman [Mary Kay] Allen, who came out right away and called for the governor's resignation. And I applaud her for that. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to your own party like she did," Densy said.

Mr. Densy's criticism of the NAT and Lt. Gov. Kinsley comes at a time when politics are starting to heat up in Monomi. Though she has not officially declared her candidacy, it is widely believed Lt. Gov. Kinsley will run for governor in 2010, when current-Governor King leaves office due to term limits.

For the past two months, Mr. King and Ms. Kinsley have had a tense relationship, after Kinsley called for the governor to resign following allegations he committed an array of crimes, ranging from misuse of office to prostitution.

Many are skeptical of Kinsley's calls for King's resignation, however. Opponents point out she would assume the governorship should King step down, and if she does mount a bid for the governor's mansion, King's scandal could plague her campaign and benefit the CNS candidate. Kinsley denies her requests for King's resignation have anything to do with her political ambitions.

"I'm calling for Governor King to resign because he can no longer govern this state effectively," Kinsley told the Treeton Sun.

Some are also questioning Rep. Densy's motives, as he appears to be a likely candidate for governor as well. Recent polls show him leading the CNS field of candidates, though Densy said he is only "considering" a bid for governor at this point.