Five days ago, Ferguson, MO, cops shot and killed unarmed teenager Michael Brown, and the outrage of area residents—and the country—has grown day by day. Jay Nixon, the Democratic governor of Missouri whose name has been floated as a possible 2016 candidate (VP or, if Hillary doesn’t run, even presidential), has been notably absent. Yesterday he finally issued a brief statement. And today, as St. Louis County Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at protestors and arrested reporters from the Washington Post and the Huffington Post, he’s been silent on the conflict. So I wondered:
Where is @GovJayNixon? Like…right now?
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) August 14, 2014
And I’m far from alone. Here’s a small sample:
Odder still that Missouri’s Democratic governor Jay Nixon is AWOL. Maybe some of those cops can search for him.
— Joshua Green (@JoshuaGreen) August 14, 2014
.@GovJayNixon Your citizens are being shot at, gassed and having their constitutional rights impeached upon. Why aren’t you doing anything?
— Female Fury (@ReinaAtlantico) August 14, 2014
Governor Jay Nixon….. anything from him… Buehler….. Buehler…
— Political Line (@PoliticaILine) August 13, 2014
Huh, looks like @GovJayNixon has gone missing. No leadership apparent in the state of Missouri. #Ferguson
— sevenish (@sevenish) August 14, 2014
While Ferguson Situation Goes Out Of Control, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Tweets About School Board Meeting http://t.co/rktNrTlhS4
— RedwoodGirl (@RedwoodGirl) August 14, 2014
Where is the governor of Missouri? @GovJayNixon.
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) August 14, 2014
Apparently @govjaynixon‘s phone minion has decided to just not answer the phone at the governors mansion. Unreal.
— Amadi (@amaditalks) August 14, 2014
Is @GovJayNixon hiking the Appalachian Trail?
— Marc Love (@marcslove) August 14, 2014
Are you going to speak up on the situation in your state or nah? @GovJayNixon
— Donte’ Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) August 14, 2014
Where is @GovJayNixon? Where is the Governor? Who is in charge in #Ferguson? Who do the people of #Ferguson turn to?
— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) August 14, 2014
ok kyle RT @kylefeldscher: can you photo shop Jay Nixon onto a Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego pic.twitter.com/39idfeoDb3
— darth™ (@darth) August 14, 2014
Police have taken over #Ferguson. Where is @GovJayNixon?
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 14, 2014
Today. Requires no comment. MT @GovJayNixon: Touring the new Joplin High w/ @CJHuffJoplin. pic.twitter.com/eoibjZtLJ0”
— JeffSharlet (@JeffSharlet) August 14, 2014
Hello @GovJayNixon!!! Have you ever heard of the late Gov. George Wallace? If not, google him! #Ferguson #MikeBrown
— E. Dewey Smith (@edeweysmith) August 14, 2014
Could the Gov. of Missouri’s political intentions to be Hillary Clinton’s VP what makes him MIA in #Ferguson??? http://t.co/N85BFuO5kI v
— Queenadalite (@queenadalite) August 14, 2014
Guess we can rule out one person as a 2016 challenger: Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.
— salome (@notsalome) August 14, 2014
Update: Looks like he finally heard all the criticism:
Canceling all appearances at the @MoStateFair to visit North #STL County tomorrow. Statement to follow.
— Governor Jay Nixon (@GovJayNixon) August 14, 2014
Update: Governor Nixon has released a statement:
“The worsening situation in Ferguson is deeply troubling, and does not represent who we are as Missourians or as Americans. While we all respect the solemn responsibility of our law enforcement officers to protect the public, we must also safeguard the rights of Missourians to peaceably assemble and the rights of the press to report on matters of public concern.
“I have been closely monitoring the situation and will continue to be in communication with local leaders, and I will be in north St. Louis County tomorrow. As Governor, I am committed to ensuring the pain of last weekend’s tragedy does not continue to be compounded by this ongoing crisis. Once again, I ask that members of the community demonstrate patience and calm while the investigation continues, and I urge law enforcement agencies to keep the peace and respect the rights of residents and the press during this difficult time.”
Sure I’m not the only one wondering why he isn’t in north St. Louis County tonight.
