I never get excited about the political columns that I sometimes write as part of earning a living, but I wrote something about the Ashcrofts today that took on a life of its own as only fiction usually does for me, and this is all fact. Will share when it's posted.

John Ashcroft is an icon, but look at his electoral record, he came in and out a loser -- even lost to a dead man in his last race. Junior was born on political third base yet lost his first race. The Ashcrofts are eminently beatable.

John Ashcroft was appointed state auditor but lost his first race as the appointed incumbent because he wasn't an accountant and wasn't qualified. Isn't that weird? You used to have to be qualified to win an election?

Ashcroft senior was beat for auditor on the same grounds Ashcroft junior is vulnerable: lack of qualifications. With junior, his record of not doing his job (protecting election integrity) is beyond dispute. Will it matter in 2020?

Also, Jack Danforth has the image of the old better Republican, but he gave us Ashcroft and Clarence Thomas. Those are enormous net negatives for this state and country. You can't high church your way out of that.