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PubDef will be heading back to Iowa tomorrow, following the final hours of the important Iowa caucuses and the night's victory celebrations.
The latest polls show Illinois Senator Barack Obama (32%) in the lead over Senator Hillary Clinton (25%) and former senator John Edwards (24%) in the Democratic field.
On the Republican side, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (32%) is leading Mitt Romney (26%) and John McCain (13%).
For those not heading to Iowa, St. Louis Democrats will be hosting their own "caucus" tomorrow night.
Gearing up for the primary election season the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis will welcome Democratic activists to The Royale Food and Spirits, 3132 S. Kingshighway, for an old-fashioned caucus to pick a presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.
The non-binding, unofficial caucus will be hosted by 9th Ward Democratic Committeeman Ron Auer and will be monitored by Kyle Dubbert, Republican Supervisor of the St. Louis City Election Board.
U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took a break from her campaigning in Iowa to rally the troops and raise some quick campaign cash here in St. Louis Sunday.
Clinton was introduced at The Pageant by former St. Louis Congressman and House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, who wasted no time making the case, as he sees it, for why the country needs a change in the White House.
"This president we have now is the worst in president in the history of the country," said Gephardt.
Gephardt also took a subtle shot at Senator Barack Obama, who has a slight lead on Clinton in the latest Iowa polls. "What we need most now is somebody that doesn't need on-the-job training," said the former south St. Louis representative.
In her speech, Clinton proposed opening the same health plan offered to members of Congress to all Americans. She also promised to bring the troops home from Iraq "as quickly and as responsibly as we possibly can" and to end Bush's "No Child Left Behind" education plan, which Clinton called an unfunded mandate.
Clinton delivered her speech in front of bleachers full of supporters, including Reverends B.T. Rice and Earl Nance. As far as we could tell, the only current elected officials in attendance were State Reps Rachel Storch and Ester Haywood.
Mayor Francis Slay, who has endorsed Clinton, did not attend the event. Protesters threatened to picket the event if he showed up. However, his chief of staff, Jeff Rainford, was in the audience.
Targeting Illegals: Blunt Proposes "New" Law to Deny Drivers Licenses
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 6:00 AM
Governor Matt Blunt stopped by St. Louis police headquarters Monday to announce his latest step to pull up the welcome mat for illegal immigrants in Missouri.
Blunt proposed making it illegal for "illegals" to get a drivers license. Blunt's Democratic challenger, Attorney General Jay Nixon, wasted no time in pointing out that such a law already exists.
In fact, when questioned about the need for this "new" law, Blunt admitted that of the 110 people arrested since he ordered state Highway Patrol officers to check the immigration status of everyone they pull over, only one was found to have a drivers license.
A new Zogby Interactive poll confirms what many Democrats already believe: If Hillary Clinton wins the nomination, Democrats will lose.
The polls suggests Clinton would lose to every one of the top five Republican presidential contenders. Meanwhile, fellow Democrats Barack Obama of Illinois and John Edwards of North Carolina would defeat every one of the Republicans, this latest survey shows.
CLINTON vs. REPUBLICANS
OBAMA vs. REPUBLICANS
EDWARDS vs. REPUBLICANS
Clinton will be in St. Louis this Sunday, Dec. 2. She will be speaking at the Pageant, 6161 Delmar, at 5:00 PM. This is Sen. Clinton's last trip here before the Iowa primaries. Student tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.hillaryclinton.com/stlouis.
UPDATE: The Missouri Republican Party's response to the Dems new video game:
"While Democrats prefer to spend their time and donor resources on frivolous pursuits in a make-believe world, Governor Blunt and Republicans are focused on real world concerns like improving the quality of life for all Missourians, which is certainly no game.
"Missourians want grownups running the state, not children, which is why Republicans continue to be so successful and Democrats continue to play political games instead of offering solutions."
On Friday, KMOV Channel 4 interviewed Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, who is the new official local spokesperson for the Barack Obama presidential campaign, and PubDef.net editor Antonio French on the results of a new KMOV/Post-Dispatch poll showing Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani leading their primary races.
In a crowded union hall Wednesday, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa announced his group's support of Attorney General Jay Nixon for governor.
Nixon accepted the endorsement and gave a speech outlining his plan to improve workers' rights and his willingness to fight current governor, Matt Blunt, for control of the state.
"They're going to spend $25 million saying bad things about me in the next 363 days," said Nixon. "And I'm ready to rumble."
Congressman Lacy Clay will be endorsing the campaign of Rev. James Morris, who is running for the state House seat currently occupied by Rep. Rodney Hubbard*, who's running for the state senate. Clay earlier announced his endorsement of Hubbard's senate bid.
Rev. James T. Morris, pastor of Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, will officially kick off his canvassing activities on Saturday at 1:00 PM. The event will be held on the parking lot of SEIU, Local 2000 offices, 5585 Pershing Ave. Clay will be on hand to publicly announce his endorsement of Morris.
From the press release:
In addition to Lacy Clay, the following elected officials have endorsed Morris: Alderman Terry Kennedy (18th Ward), Alderman Frank Williamson, State Reps. Robin Wright-Jones (63 rd District), Esther Haywood (71st District), Rachel Storch (64th District), and Juanita Head Walton (69th District), and 2nd Ward Committeewoman Mattie Moore.
Below is a partial list of many clergy and community leaders who have endorsed Morris: Rev. Sammie Jones, Rev. Douglas Parham, Bishop Willie J. Ellis, Rev. Anthony Witherspoon, Rev. Charles Brown, Rabbi Susan Talve, Sherman George, James Buford, Mary J. Armstrong, Zaki Baruti, Gary Boyd, Bernie Hayes, Ollie May Stewart, and Atty. Donnell Smith.
Morris is running against Sam Coleman. Coleman is being backed by License Collector Mike McMillan, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard, and Alderman April Ford-Griffin. *Hubbard is a client of A D French & Assoc.
Probably best known (as much as he probably wishes he wasn't) as the "angry black guy" from the first season of the mother of all reality shows, The Real World, hip-hop author Kevin Powell, who is now running for Congress, is coming to St. Louis.
Powell, the former editor of Vibe magazine, is running as a Democrat in the 10th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York. The invitation to his St. Louis event says that Powell is "widely considered one of America's most important voices in these early years of the 21st Century."
Wow! That's coming a long way from throwing a phone at Julie and claiming that black people can't be racist because they don't have power.
Powell will be at the Regional Arts Commission building, 6128 Delmar Blvd, on Monday, November 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced Friday that Senator Kit Bond (R-Missouri) has endorsed Giuliani for President. Senator Bond will serve as National Co-Chairman and the liaison to the United States Senate for the campaign.
"America is hungry for a President who will say what he means, and do what he says. The American people want and deserve a genuine leader, and that is Rudy Giuliani," said Bond. "Rudy has the leadership qualities and the experience to handle whatever challenges America faces in the next 10 years."
Around the city and county, signs supporting Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul have been popping up on roadsides and overpasses.
The signs aren't being put up by the official Ron Paul campaign, though. Paul, a Texas Congressman has several devoted, internet-based grassroots support teams. Online, the supporters flood YouTube, message boards, social networking sites and blogs with comments, graphics and videos supporting their favorite candidate. Offline, these street teams are less visible but they make their support known through signs, fliers and protests.
The St. Louis area Ron Paul support group started this past summer. The group has grown from 40 members to roughly 250. On top of that, nearby cities like Edwardsville and St. Charles have their own groups.
The essentially Libertarian Paul is attracting Internet support reminiscent of former Democratic candidate and current DNC chairman Howard Dean. According to the lead organizer for the St. Louis area Ron Paul group, Tim Blessing, Representative Paul has won over many local apathetic and first-time voters, like Blessing himself, who admittedly voted for Ralph Nader twice, just to support a third party.
"Apathy is a tremendous thing, I've found out," says Blessing. "It's pretty easy to cure once you find someone or something to inspire you."
Blessing sat down this week for an interview with PubDef.net to discuss how he came to lead the group and what he's doing to attract new members.
Last weekend, State Rep. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) launched her campaign for the state Senate.
According to Jo Mannies at the Political Fix, former St. Louis Democratic state rep. Fred Kratky's "Facts 'O Life" band was there, as was State Senator Scott Rupp, State Rep. Allen Icet and Speaker-Elect Ron Richard.
The kick-off's host committee included the mayors of Chesterfield, Town & Country, Creve Coeur, Manchester, and Fenton.
Rep. Jane Cunningham with State Rep. candidate Robin Harris and Wanda Harris
Nicholas Britto, St. Louis City school board member Veronica O'Brien, Celeste Oakland, and Jack Hoffmann of Chesterfield.
Guests at the Stand by Me fundraiser, left to right around the table...Dr. Ben Mayes (closest), Joan Kehr, Kent Kehr, Donna Hearne, Mark Hearne, Bob Bacon (mostly hidden), Karen Bacon and Ellen Mayes.
Chesterfield Township Republican Committeeman Paul Matteucci, Alicia Matteucci and Donna Hearne.
Carl and Debbie Bearden.
Cunningham campaign manager Kit Crancer with Molly Tallarico, who represents the University of Missouri.
Just a couple of days after opening a campaign office here, Senator Barack Obama will be in St. Louis today at a rally at Union Station.
Organizers say they are undertered by the sprinkles of rain. "I think it's going to be a great crowd and a great event," said Mike Dorsey, the Obama campaign's state director for Missouri. "Rain or shine, we're fired up and ready to go!"
Doors open for the St. Louis "Countdown to Change" rally will at 5:00 PM at the south parking lot of Union Station. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students).
Also tonight, city Democrats — young and old — will be putting on the make-up and wigs for their annual Halloween Party.
The St. Louis Democratic Central Committee and the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis host their annual party tonight from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at the Glazier's Union Hall, 5916 Wilson Ave. (Southeast of Hampton and I 44). Tickets are a less-than-frightening $15 per person.
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed*, State Representative Rodney Hubbard*, and Vice-Chair of the City Democratic Party Yaphett El-Amin helped the Barack Obama Presidential campaign open their St. Louis headquarters yesterday.
U.S. Senator Kit Bond announced today that Jason Van Eaton and Matt Roney will be heading up his 2008 political operations. The senior Republican is not up for re-election until 2010, but he appears to be preparing to take a leading role in Republican campaigns for president, governor, and other statewide offices.
From the press release:
COLUMBIA, MO – As this session of Congress nears an end, U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced key staff restructuring in his personal and political operations. State Director, Jason Van Eaton, and Director for the Western Missouri District, Matt Roney, will move over to the political arm of Bond's operation.
"Jason and Matt have been essential to my official office operations. They are trusted members of my staff and I look forward to continue working with them on our political efforts in a very important election cycle," said Bond.
More on Eaton and Roney:
W. Jason Van Eaton was born and raised in Southwest Missouri. Jason has served in numerous capacities for Bond, most recently serving as Bond's State Director for over 7 years. Jason has also focused his efforts on appropriations projects, transportation policy, infrastructure, education, economic development, as well as several major development projects. On the political front, Jason worked on his first campaign in 1994 when John Ashcroft was running for the U.S. Senate. In 1998, Jason served as a Regional Director for Bond's reelection. During the 2000 election cycle, he was the Campaign Manager for now U.S. Congressman Todd Akin in his first run for Congress. Again in 2004 he served as Campaign Manager, this time, for Bond's reelection.
Matthew L. Roney was born and raised in greater Kansas City, Missouri. Matt has served in numerous capacities for Bond, most recently serving as Director for the Western Missouri District for the last 6 years. Duties included managing a district staff, coordinating appropriations requests, and coordinating governmental involvement in key economic development projects. Matt also served as Political Director for Senator Bond's successful reelection in 2004.
It looks like the Barack Obama campaign will be the first to open an office in St. Louis.
This week, supporters of the junior senator from Illinois' bid for President will open a campaign office in downtown St. Louis, in the Jack Thompson Square Building on the corner of Washington Ave. and Tucker.
The opening of the headquarters, which will likely occur on Tuesday Wednesday, comes just a few days before Sen. Obama comes to St. Louis for a rally on Friday at Union Station.
Shamed Dogan, Republican candidate for State Representative in Missouri's 88th District, announced Monday that his 3rd quarter financial report will show that he raised over $12,000 from 125 different contributors, including State Reps Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield), Tim Jones (R-Eureka) and Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood); four of Ballwin's eight Aldermen—Tim Pogue, Jim Robinson, Jane Suozzi and Jimmy Terbrock; St. Louis County Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger; St. Louis City Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett; and Ferguson Alderman James Knowles.
From the press release:
"I appreciate the help I've received from my family, friends, and concerned citizens who share my vision for a smaller, better Missouri government," Dogan said. "I am also very thankful to Jim Talent for being a supporter and a role model."
Dogan also received contributions from prominent Republicans including former State Rep. Brent Evans; Ray Wagner of Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Missouri Federation of Young Republicans Chair Monica Durrwachter; St. Louis County Republican Committeeman Kurt Witzel; and St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Dwight Billingsly.
Here's our earlier video from Shamed Dogan's campaign kick-off in July:
Former New York City Mayor and Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani appeared at a $1,000-a-plate breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton this morning. The fundraiser was organized by St. Louis County real estate broker Mike Becker.
FLICKR:CLICK HERE to see our photos from today's event.
Governor Matt Blunt's re-election campaign has taken issue with Attorney General Jay Nixon's characterization of the Republican governor as being in support of President George W. Bush's veto yesterday of the reauthorization of a program that provides health care for millions of children.
John Hancock, spokesman for Missourians for Matt Blunt, says the governor fully supports the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and wants Congress and the White House to work out their differences as soon as possible.
"This another area where Jay Nixon's only solution is a big tax increase," said Hancock.
"Governor Blunt has said repeatedly that he strongly supports reauthorizing SCHIP. He has said that the Congress and the President should work together to reauthorize the program without the tax increase that Nixon is endorsing."
The Nixon campaign released a statement yesterday saying Blunt opposes the program which could potentially reinstate health care for thousands of Missouri children.
"We now have more than 127,000 children in our state without insurance. That is unacceptable," said Nixon in the statement. "But instead of supporting a program which could bring coverage to thousands of those children, Matt Blunt is touting a health care plan that ignores them completely."
Nixon also noted that, as a percentage of the population, Missouri has kicked more people off SCHIP than any other state from June 2005 to June 2006.
"Following Blunt’s massive health care cuts in 2005, there are now more than 127,000 Missouri children without health insurance," said the Nixon campaign.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) announced today his support for State Representative Rodney Hubbard for State Senate.
Citing Hubbard’s experience and proven leadership, Congressman Clay, a former state senator himself, said St. Louis would greatly benefit from having Hubbard in the senate.
“I’ve known Rodney for several years and I’ve watched as he’s been able to bring diverse people together to benefit the people of his district,” said Congressman Clay.
“St. Louis needs Rodney’s passion and energy in the Missouri senate fighting for jobs, economic development, and educational opportunities for the people of the 5th District,” said Clay.
State Representative Hubbard said he was honored to have the congressman’s support. “I am blessed to have Congressman Clay’s support and endorsement, as well as the support of several other elected officials, including President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed and License Collector Mike McMillan. These are people who I respect greatly and I am proud to have their support in my campaign for state senate.”
Clay also echoed the sentiments of many others in noting the importance of keeping St. Louis’ legislative delegation diverse.
“As a former state senator who represented a district specifically drawn to ensure the City of St. Louis would have fair and diverse representation in the senate, I feel the need is just as strong today to ensure that fairness and diversity are reflected in our elected leadership,” said Clay.
State Representative Rodney Hubbard has served in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2002. His district is composed of parts of Downtown, Old North St. Louis, and Central West End. *Hubbard is a client of A.D. French & Associates
The head of the Democratic Party, former Vermont governor and Presidential candidate, Howard Dean, stopped by to say a few words at the annual Missouri Walk of Fame reception hosted by Congressmen Lacy Clay (St. Louis) and Emmanuel Cleaver (Kansas City).
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, the likely Democratic nominee for governor in 2008, today said that Governor Matt Blunt's office appears to be breaking the law by destroying their email records.
Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon will be in north St. Louis this morning calling for stronger legislation against the payday loan industry.
Nixon says Missouri has some of the most lenient payday loan laws in the nation. Because of Missouri’s lax laws, some loan recipients could end up being charged as much as 1,950% APR (with an average of 422%). According to the most recent report by the Division of Finance, nearly 3 million payday loans were issued last year and the number of new loan licenses issued to lenders has increased by 69% since 2003.
The result of these lenient laws: Missourian families paid $317 million in fees and interest in 2005 alone, second in actual dollars only to the state of California.
Nixon's press conference will be held in vacant lot directly across the street from Payday Loan Center, 1315 N. Kingshighway, at 10:30 AM.
Republican Chris Sander, a mortgage company executive from Ellisville, has filed to run for Congress against Democrat Russ Carnahan. This is Sanders' first bid for political office.
The Missouri Women for Obama will hold two simultaneous community organizing meetings on Monday, September 10th from 6 to 8 PM.
The meetings will be at the Mad Art Gallery (2727 S. Broadway, St. Louis) and the Jefferson County Library (5678 State Road PP, High Ridge).
"We look to empower women to participate in the presidential election and support Barack Obama," says Anna Jinkerson who is volunteering as the coordinator for Missouri Women for Obama.
Women for Obama is an official grassroots organization, sponsored by the Obama presidential campaign. The Missouri chapter is organized on a local level and plans on sponsoring house parties, voter registration drives and book clubs, all in support of Barack Obama.
Jinkerson acknowledged Hilary Clinton’s campaign, but said that her organization’s vote goes beyond gender.
“Women in Missouri need a candidate who’s electable in the general election,” she says. “We feel that Barack Obama brings the right type of experience and electability to the presidential elections.”
The meetings on Monday will establish community groups of women to support the organization. More meetings locally and in Kansas City and central Missouri are in the works.
Stacey Newman, executive director of the Missouri Women’s Coalition, is officially announcing today that she is seeking the office of State Representative for the 73rd District. She has filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission formally creating her finance committee with Ray Hartmann, St. Louis, as treasurer.
“The late Harriett Woods, former Lt. Governor and a long time mentor, often told me women run for office because they become upset enough to take action. I am extremely upset with the direction of our state government and will fight for change and true progressive policies,” said Newman.
In 2005 the state legislature cut Medicaid health insurance coverage for more than 100,000 Missourians, including over 40,000 children. Missouri schools are in crisis mode with private school voucher proposals threatening public school funding. In July 2007 Governor Blunt signed restrictions into law forcing many women’s health clinics to close and allowing public schools to teach fact-less abstinence-only sex education. The number of Missouri children living in poverty is on the rise due to numerous social services cuts by the current administration.
“This is not the direction I envision for Missouri,” Newman said. “I advocate providing health care for all Missourians, increasing our public school funding, protecting women’s personal health decisions, and supporting stem cell research and cures.
Stacey Newman’s dedication, passion and diverse background have prepared her to effectively represent the 73rd District:
Democratic National Committee - managed specialized Missouri vote program
2004 John Kerry for President campaign - directed the Missouri Women’s Vote Program
Missouri Democratic Party - coordinated statewide and legislative women’s campaigns
“Coalition Against Blunt’s War on Women – spokeswoman for 22 progressive organizations fighting Gov. Blunt’s attacks on birth control
Co-president of Brady Campaign/Million Mom March – St. Louis - worked closely with Governor Holden’s office against concealed weapons legislation
Missouri registered lobbyist - lobbied for bi-partisan domestic violence and child safety legislation
Stacey resides in Richmond Heights, Missouri and is a retired flight attendant. Her husband, Burt, is an attorney in Clayton who successfully challenged the voter ID law in the Missouri Supreme Court in 2006. Their daughter, Sophie, is a freshman at Clayton High School.
“I am prepared to run, ready to win and pledge to continue the progressive work of Rep. Margaret Donnelly and Sen. Joan Bray who have held this seat for more than 15 years,” said Newman.
After quickly spreading like wildfire, first on independent blogs, then newspaper blogs, then to TV, all that remains for the rumor of Republican State Senator Chris Koster's crossover to the Democratic Party to become fact is... well, a press conference.
How about three press conferences in three parts of the state?
At 9:00 this morning, Koster will make a "major political announcement" at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Then at 11:30, Koster will make either the same "major political announcement" or an even bigger one (like he's converting to Islam or joining the NAACP) outside the Cass County Justice Center in Harrisonville.
And last but (hopefully) not least, at 3:30 this afternoon, the Chris Koster Show comes to St. Louis as the by-then-Democratic State Senator makes his "major political announcement" in front of his high school alma mater, Saint Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Ave.
In the meantime, Democrats around the state are already taking shots at their soon-to-be newest member.
This flier was emailed to us this morning. It outlines some of the controversial legislation that Koster supported as a Republican. The disclaimer at the bottom says it was paid for by the Boone County Democratic Central Committee.
UPDATE @ 9:55 AM: The following is a statement from Jared Craighead, executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, on Koster's decision to "abandon" the Republican Party:
"Republicans are surprised that Senator Koster who has championed so many Republican causes, participated in leadership of the Senate Republican Caucus and served as a member of the Republican State Committee would decide suddenly that he is a Democrat. Chris is a personal friend of mine but I fear he has blinded himself with his desire for higher office and the hollow promises of Jay Nixon’s political machine rather than keeping his commitment to the constituents who elected him to represent them.
I expect that Chris will resign from the Senate immediately and stand for election as a Democrat in a special election so that the people of the 31st Senatorial District have an opportunity to decide whether they want him representing them now that he has totally reversed his positions on important issues like gay marriage, Second Amendment rights and Medicaid reform.
If I had to guess, Chris will likely quote Winston Churchill to describe his decision saying, 'some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others change their principles for the sake of the party.' But I would remind Chris that Churchill also remarked on the occasion of a party switch that it was the only instance he could recall of a rat swimming towards a sinking ship – that sentiment seems particularly applicable in this case.
Simply stated, Chris has done the political calculus and does not believe he can win a Republican primary and does not believe that Jeff Harris is a formidable opponent."
Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama in his bid for President today, making her the first Missouri Democratic statewide elected official to endorse a presidential candidate.
Montee also announced the formation of "Missouri Women for Obama," an organization she will chair. The following is from Montee's statement:
America needs a leader who can inspire us to be better in every way. Barack Obama is a once-in-a-generation leader who will bring this country together like we haven’t seen in over 40 years. Barack Obama is running a campaign that is about more than Democrat or Republican – listen to him and you’ll hear a message of coming together as a nation to solve our common problems. Look at his record and you’ll see a history of working with people of all kinds, focusing on common purpose instead of perceived difference.
Electing Barack Obama is about more than race or gender or class. I'm endorsing Barack Obama today because he represents America as it can be, America as it should be. After nearly eight years of partisan politics trumping good government, the stakes are too high for any of us to sit on the sidelines.
Missouri Women for Obama is a statewide organization. Members are located in each of Missouri’s nine congressional districts and the organization is actively organizing women throughout the state to promote Obama’s candidacy.
Montee's endorsement announcement included sending letters to Missouri's newspaper editors, copies of which were provided to the press.
Local supporters of Presidential candidate John Edwards will be preparing meals for needy St. Louisans tomorrow (Sunday) at 10:00 a.m. at Reinert Hall, 303 S. Grand, on the campus of St. Louis University.
The party starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Arena Bar and Grill, 5760 W Park Ave. There will be multiple televisions to catch all the debate's one-liners and political side-stepping.
Event organizers say all are invited, not just Richardson supporters. If you're interested, email richardsonmovc@hotmail.com.
Nearly 300 local supporters of Presidential candidate Barack Obama gathered yesterday evening at the Mad Art Gallery in south St. Louis.
The racially-mixed audience listened to regional coordinators with the Obama campaign as well as local organizers discuss plans for upcoming events and strategies for organizing ahead of the February Presidential Preference vote.
Darryl Piggee, chief of staff for Congressman Lacy Clay, and Steve Engelhardt, aide to Clay, who helped publicize the event, were also in attendance, as were numerous business people, students, activists, longtime- and first-time Democratic campaign workers.
State Representative and likely State Senate candidate Tom Villa raised just $500 last quarter, well below the amount expected to be shown by his chief rival, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard*.
According to campaign finance reports filed yesterday, Villa received just one contribution last quarter, $500 from the Missouri Rental Dealers Association on June 25. That is the same day the southside Democrat filed papers authorizing his State Rep campaign committee to raise funds for his State Senate bid.
After spending $2,538.19, Villa was left with just $27,280.44.
Meanwhile, Hubbard's report, which is expected to be filed sometime Monday, is rumored to show more than $100,000 raised.
*Rodney Hubbard is a client of A.D. French & Assoc.
Gearing up for his re-election campaign, Governor Matt Blunt unveiled his new campaign website today. The site, www.mattblunt.com, has been completely redesigned and sports new campaign colors.
The Governor will be in town today to sign the controversial Mo HealthNet bill into law. Check back later for video. (Sorry, no video.)
"Crack-smoking Republicans" beware. A local entrepreneur is tossing his hat in the Presidential primaries once again. But this time, ex-Republican Blake Ashby is targeting his own.
Ashby, the owner of such hip spots as the Delmar Restaurant and Lounge and Mangia (co-owner) who ran for President in 2004, is now running as an independent. He says he's been a Republican since high school, but the W years have taken his party in a direction he cannot follow. Instead, he's calling on fellow frustrated fiscal conservatives to rebel against the "crackheads" he says are ruining the once Grand Ol' Party.
PubDef produced this video for Ashby and will be following his campaign over the next year as he takes his message across America.
To learn how to help Ashby rid the nation of "Crack-smoking Republicans", contact campaign coordinator Mandy Kadlec.
U.S Senator and recently declared candidate for the 2008 Republican Presidential Nomination Fred Thompson will be in Missouri this Friday to speak at the Missouri Bankers Association’s 117th Annual Convention in Osage Beach, MO.
Thompson will deliver the closing keynote speech of the event.
Thanks to fellow Missouri blogger John Combest for the links. Check out the Convention's Brochure for yourself here.
Following Missouri Attorney General (and likely Democratic nominee for Governor) Jay Nixon's decision not file criminal charges against Ameren for the Taum Sauk dam collapse, state Republicans are continuing their cries of conflict of interest.
Nixon accepted $19,000 in campaign donations from sources connected to Ameren. Following GOP attacks and media reports across the state, Nixon says he has since returned the money.
In their latest attack, Republicans point to an Associated Press report that a 2,000-page report provided to Nixon by the Missouri Highway Patrol informed the Attorney General that "an unknown Ameren employee" removed probes designed to shut down the plant and prevent an overflow if water ever reached them immediately after the Taum Sauk disaster.
Republicans say Nixon made the decision not to file charges without identifying the Ameren employee, referred to as "Mr. X", who removed that critical evidence in the scene of the "worst man-made disaster in Missouri's history".
"The Attorney General, who is acting Reynolds County Prosecutor in the criminal investigation, can request subpoenas to force Ameren or Mr. X to come forward," charged a GOP press release.
"Missourians are owed an explanation as to why Jay Nixon, the criminal prosecutor in the Ameren Taum Sauk case, failed to identify Ameren's Mr. X," said Jared Craighead, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party.
"Even though the Missouri Highway Patrol provided his office with a thorough, 2,000 page report, Nixon failed to follow up on a critical lead: the identity of the Ameren employee, and potential suspect, who removed critical evidence from the scene of a disaster. It is also unknown if Nixon requested a subpoena to learn the identity of Mr. X."
"Reasonable people are entitled to believe that a competent criminal prosecutor would have been interested in knowing the identity of Mr. X," Craighead said. "Nixon's incompetence in the Taum Sauk case is truly breathtaking," Craighead said.
In the meantime, the AP reports that state utility regulators are reopening their investigation into Taum Sauk after learning that Ameren readjusted crucial safety gauges at the facility and removed the gauges after the basin collapsed.
Ending the speculation, State Rep. Sam Page of Creve Coeur will hold a press conference Monday, June 4, to announce as a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
The announcement will be made at the Creve Coeur Government Center, 300 N. New Ballas Rd., at 3:00 p.m.
Jason Rosenbaum reports that Trenton State Rep. Jim Whorton is joining the field of contenders for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.
As Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, noted earlier this year, "everybody and their mamas" are thinking about running for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor. Possible contenders include Rep. Sam Page, D-Creve Coeur, Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring and Sen. Harry Kennedy, D-St. Louis. Mike Evans, a candidate for Congress in 2004, is right now the only announced candidate on the Democratic side.
St. Louis Congressmen Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan served as hosts to U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate Barack Obama yesterday as he made stops at the Moolah Theatre and the Renaissance Grand Hotel to rally his Democratic supporters and raise some needed cash — two things that the "rock star" from Illinois is very good at.
There are a lot of people running for the nomination, Clay told the crowd filling the Moolah space usually occupied by leather couches. Some of those other candidates are his friends, Clay said.
"But running for President isn't about friendship," said the Congressman. "It's about winning. And in Barack Obama, we have a winner!"
Supporters of U.S. Senator Barack Obama's bid for the Democratic nomination for President will have several opportunities today to demonstrate their level of support for the charismatic Illinoisan who polls show may be the Democrats' best chance at regaining the White House.
In the latest Rasmussen poll, Obama is within a single point of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is at the moment the leading Republican candidate. Giuliani nominally leads Obama 45% to 44% when voters consider a general election match-up. In mid-April, Giuliani led by three points. The two had also been neck-and-neck in March.
Obama now holds a four-point lead over Republican Senator John McCain 46% to 42%. In April, Obama's lead over McCain was six points; prior to that, they were tied 44% to 44% for a couple months in a row.
The Obama campaign will hold two main events today in St. Louis. The first is a rally at the Moolah Theatre, 3821 Lindell Blvd. Tickets to that event are just $25. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
The second event is at the Renaissance Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., at 7:00 p.m. Tickets to this event range from $500 to $2,300.
Obama's chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, was in town last week. Another candidate, former Sen. John Edwards, will be in St. Louis later this month.
EXTRA: The St. Louis American's Chris King interviewed Sen. Obama by phone yesterday. Click here to read the transcript.
Several leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for President will be making moves in Missouri throughout the month of May.
U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton canceled her Saturday, May 5, visit to Kansas City this week, but she is still scheduled to be in St. Louis on Friday for a $1,000-per-ticket fundraiser downtown. For $2,300, supporters can also attend a special VIP event in addition to the main reception at the Renaissance Grand Hotel.
Next week, Clinton's chief rival, Senator Barack Obama, will be in town for a fundraiser of his own at The Moolah Theatre, 3821 Lindell Blvd. Prices for Obama's event are much cheaper, only $25 for students and seniors, and $50 for everyone else. But Obama, who is keeping pace with Clinton in the fundraising race, will also have a high-priced VIP event later that day.
Meanwhile, former Vice-Presidential candidate John Edwards is getting a head start in the ground war for support. Edwards workers were spotted as far back as March at neighborhood meetings. And at least one local African-American legislator has been calling around on behalf of the former Senator from South Carolina.
Stay with PubDef as we attempt to score interviews with all the major Democratic and Republican candidates as they pass through the Show-Me state.
Several leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for President will be making moves in Missouri throughout the month of May.
U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton canceled her Saturday, May 5, visit to Kansas City this week, but she is still scheduled to be in St. Louis in Friday for a $1,000-per-ticket fundraiser downtown. For $2,300, supporters can also attend a special VIP event in addition to the main reception at the Renaissance Grand Hotel.
Next week, Clinton's chief rival, Senator Barack Obama, will be in town for a fundraiser of his own at The Moolah Theatre, 3821 Lindell Blvd. Prices for Obama's event are much cheaper, only $25 for students and seniors, and $50 for everyone else. Although Obama, who is keeping pace with Clinton in the fundraising race, will also have a high-priced VIP event later that day.
Meanwhile, former Vice-Presidential candidate John Edwards is getting a headstart in the ground war for support. Edwards workers were spotted as far back as March at neighborhood meetings. And at least one local African-American legislator has been calling around on behalf of the former Senator from South Carolina.
Stay with PubDef as we attempt to score interviews with all the major Democratic and Republican candidates as they pass through the Show-Me state.
CLAY OR CARNAHAN??? — If you were running for office and had to pick between Congressmen Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan for a leadership role in your campaign, who would you pick?
Judging from a leaked memo, Presidential Candidate Barack Obama's people are betting on Lacy.
According to the internal campaign memo, first reported by Newsweek (but a hat tip to Jo Mannies for the local posting), Obama's staff advised him to tell Clay that "he will be one of the main leaders in Missouri for your campaign."
But they advised Obama "DO NOT lead [Carnahan] to believe that he will be in an exclusive role."
Both St. Louis Congressmen got to Washington with the help of their fathers' last names. Clay in 2000. Carnahan in 2004. Clay's four years of seniority may be what Obama's people are focusing on. But some may argue that the Carnahan name is more valuable for any Democrat looking for votes across Missouri.
BURKE DISSES CLAIRE? — Fresh off of dissing singer Sheryl Crow, Archbishop Raymond Burke seems to have a new pro-choice Missouri woman to practice his passive aggressiveness on.
"It was a special opportunity because my daughter is one of the graduates. I'm disappointed that the archbishop has made this decision," McCaskill said in a statement.
But Burke's people say it wasn't him. They say the decision was all St. Joseph's.
DR. DOCTOR — Respected newsman Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press" (remember when PubDef was on "Meet the Press"?) and Dr. Henry Givens, president of Harris-Stowe State University, are among the six men and women slated to receive honorary degrees from Wash U this month.
Russert will deliver the Commencement address and receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Givens, who already holds a Ph.D., will add another doctorate to his wall when he gets his honorary doctor of humanities degree.
ABC News broadcaster Paul Harvey; David C. Farrell, the former CEO of the May Department Stores; William S. Sly, M.D., chairman of SLU's Dept. of Biochemistry; and Shirley M. Tilghman, Ph.D., president of Princeton University, round out the list of overachievers.
With a fundraiser planned for Thursday, 27th Ward Committeeman Curtis Royston is making it official. He will indeed be seeking term-limited State Rep. Connie Johnson's spot in 2008.
Royston will be joined Thursday by supporters, including Johnson, State Reps. Rodney Hubbard and Talibdin El-Amin, Committeepeople Yaphette El-Amin (1st Ward), Claude Brown (2nd Ward), Johnny Sadler and Lucinda Fraisier (3rd Ward), and Arthur "Chink" Washington (21st Ward) in celebrating his candidacy as well as his 38th Birthday.
Royston is expected to face young Chris Carter, aide to State Sen. Jeff Smith and nephew of 27th Ward Alderman Greg Carter, in the 2008 primary election.
The event is on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at Charlotte's Banquet Hall, 8709 Riverview.
State Rep. Fred Kratky spent quite a while last night telling 16th Ward residents about his ongoing deliberation on a possible run for Lieutenant Governor in 2008.
SMITH'S FIRST MISTAKE -- State Sen-elect Jeff Smith might have already made his first big political mistake -- even before he's been sworn in. Reliable sources tell PUB DEF that Smith made the very green mistake of showing his cards too soon in last month's floor leader vote.
Before the vote, Smith told Democratic Floor Leader (and fellow St. Louis City senator) Maida Coleman that he would not be supporting her and instead be voting for Sen. Chuck Graham to take her leadership post. Imagine Smith's surprise when minutes later, after some public and private deliberation, Graham stood up and nominated Coleman. Oops.
St. Louis Magazine's 47th "Most Powerful" St. Louisan (what, Fredbird wasn't available?) may have gotten some bad advice from Numbers 12 and 14 on the list.
ROMNEY GETTING BLUNTED? -- In case you haven't noticed, the 2008 Presidential Campaign has begun. And the National Review's Jonathan Martinsays our own Gov. Matt Blunt might already be picking a horse -- Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
Blunt is quoted in the article as saying he would make a public endorsement "probably in the next few days."
BROWN v. BROWN -- Rumor has it that Harold Brown is aiding the re-election campaign of Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury. Brown was an aide to retiring State Sen. Pat Dougerty and briefly worked on the campaign of his replacement, Jeff Smith.
Well it seems Shrewsbury's opponent, Lewis Reed, has called in some Brown aid of his own, WGNU radio host Lizz Brown.
Brown -- who has recently begun to regularly attack Shrewsbury, while speaking very highly of Reed -- started hosting this week a one-hour weekly segment called "Aldermanic Updates with Lewis Reed". The segment, paid for by Reed's campaign, mirrors a format Senator-elect Claire McCaskill used during her recent campaign.
