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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
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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
