Canoodling With the Enemy

From Pol Watchers:

For the second time this month, political rivals Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Attorney General Greg Stumbo put aside their differences to support legislation. On Feb. 1, the two men, who have clashed over an investigation of state hiring practices, teamed up at a news conference in the Capitol Rotunda to back anti-drug legislation.

They have been political enemies because of Stumbo's office's work with a special Franklin County grand jury in investigating allegations that the Fletcher administration abused the state merit system that protects rank-and-file workers from political influence. Fletcher was charged with three criminal misdemeanors, but Stumbo and he later reached an agreement to dismiss them.

Fletcher, a Republican who is seeking re-election, has maintained that the investigation was politically motivated. Stumbo, a Democrat who is running for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Lunsfor has said that was not the case.

Today, Fletcher and Stumbo were in the Rotunda to support tax credits for landowners who place conservations easements on their properties to provide public access to hunters. In front of a large group of sports enthusiasts wearing bright orange hunting caps, Fletcher recognized Stumbo and voiced his appreciation for Stumbo's support of the legislation.

Asked later by a reporter exactly whom is he backing in the Republican primary for governor, Stumbo smiled and only said of the question, "Tacky, tacky."