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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
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Starting tomorrow, Republicans from across Missouri will gather in Springfield for their annual Lincoln Days event.
All three announced Republican candidates for governor, current Governor Matt Blunt, federal, state and local elected officials.
U.S Congressman Kenny Hulshof, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman will meet with attendees and share their plans for building on positive accomplishments made through Republican leadership.
The event is from Friday, February 8, to Sunday, Feb. 10. A host of approximately 20 hospitality suites will be open to the public beginning at 9:00pm on Friday & Saturday evening.
Supporters of Barack Obama will be watching tomorrow's Super Tuesday results at the Moolah Theater, 3821 Lindell Blvd, starting at 7:00 tomorrow evening.
Lines wrapped around three sides of the Edward Jones Dome before the doors opened and crowds of supporters poured onto the stadium floor.
"I haven't seen so many people in this dome since the Rams were having better days," Congressman Lacy Clay told the crowd, which by stadium officials numbered at 20,000 22,500.
The man they all came to see, Presidential candidate Barack Obama, was accompanied on the stage by Clay, Congressman Russ Carnahan, former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan, State Auditor Susan Montee, County Executive Charlie Dooley, and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a woman PubDef first reported as a possible Vice-Presidential selection and who is currently featured in an Obama campaign commercial running nationwide.
As you may have heard, the biggest thing in politics since the ballot box is coming to St. Louis today and they could barely find a place big enough to hold the expected crowd.
The "Stand for Change" Rally with Senator Barack Obama is today (Saturday) at the Edward Jones Dome. Doors open at 7:00 PM and it is free to the public. So come on down!
State representative candidate Shamed Dogan, a Republican running in the south St. Louis County district being vacated by Neal St. Onge, is holding a fundraiser tonight at 6:00 PM at Mandarin, 44 Maryland Plaza, in the Central West End.
For your $25 ticket, you will receive two free drinks during the event, and Mandarin is offering specials for those who hang out afterwards.
A group of young Democrats celebrating a George W. Bush speech? It must be his last State of the Union speech ever.
The Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis say they will be "rejoicing" watching the last time Bush, who leaves office in 11 months, makes his annual address.
The speech is on Monday, January 28, and the Dems will be gathered at Sol Lounge, 4239 Lindell Blvd (enter through the Grind Coffee Shop), from 7:30 to 10:00 PM.
After waiting for more than three hours, the gymnasium which held thousands of Hillary Clinton supporters erupted in cheers as Bill and Hillary Clinton finally arrived at McCluer North High School.
After waiting for more than three hours, the gymnasium which held thousands of Hillary Clinton supporters erupted in cheers as Bill and Hillary Clinton finally arrived at McCluer North High School.
President Bill Clinton and his wife, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, will be in St. Louis Saturday for a town hall meeting dubbed "Solutions for America" at McCluer North High School in Florissant.
The event is open to the public and will be from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.
As America prepares to elect another president this year, Missourians for Honest Elections is sponsoring a viewing of the documentary "UnCounted" next week to highlight what can — and has — gone wrong when Americans try to cast their ballots.
"UnCounted," a documentary about how many Americans' votes were not counted in the 2004 and 2006 elections — and what could happen in 2008 — will be shown next Thursday, January 10, at 7:00 PM at Epiphany United Church of Christ, 2911 McNair Ave.
PubDef will be spending the evening at J. Buck's at state senate candidate (and A. D. French client) Rodney Hubbard's star-studded fundraiser. All are invited. Tickets are just $25. Check back tomorrow for video and photos.
Hometown recording artists The St. Lunatics, Jibbs and Vic Damone, local political heavyweights, including former mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr.; Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce; Aldermanic President Lewis Reed; and License Collector Mike McMillan, are expected to show their support for Hubbard's 2008 senate campaign.
"We're trying to really bring our region's successful young hip-hop entrepreneurs into the political arena," said Hubbard, who at 35 years-old considers himself part of the hip-hop generation.
"I appreciate the support of these artists who could spend their Thursday night anywhere in the world," said Hubbard. "To come home to St. Louis to support my senate campaign means a lot."
Congressman Lacy Clay, who has endorsed Hubbard, and Dr. Ben Chavis, former head of the national NAACP and president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, are also expected at the event. Chavis, who co-founded the Hip-Hop Summit with Russell Simmons, is a longtime supporter of Hubbard and of involving the hip-hop generation more in the political process.
The event is TONIGHT from 9:00 until midnight, at J. Bucks, 1000 Clark Ave. in downtown St. Louis. Tickets are open to the general public at just $25. Tickets to an 8:00 VIP event are $100.
* Rodney Hubbard is a client of A D French and Associates (campaign management)
Photographer Rosalind Guy was one of 130 Missourians who traveled to Iowa last week to campaign for Barack Obama. We've posted some of her great photos from the event on our .Mac web gallery.
Click here to view, download, and even upload your own photos from the trip.
Hubbard Fundraiser to Feature Hip-Hop and Political Heavyweights
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:30 PM
State Rep. Rodney Hubbard*, a candidate for the 5th District state senate seat soon to be vacated by the term-limited Sen. Maida Coleman, is holding one of the largest political fundraisers of the year this week.
National recording artist Nelly and his band of St. Lunatics are expected to make appearances, as are hometown rappers Jibbs and Vic Damone. Local political heavyweights, former mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr.; Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce; Aldermanic President Lewis Reed; and License Collector Mike McMillan, headline the host committee.
"We're trying to really bring our region's successful young hip-hop entrepreneurs into the political arena," said Hubbard, who at 35 years-old considers himself part of the hip-hop generation.
"I appreciate the support of these artists who could spend their Thursday night anywhere in the world," said Hubbard. "To come home to St. Louis to support my senate campaign means a lot."
Congressman Lacy Clay, who has endorsed Hubbard, and Dr. Ben Chavis, former head of the national NAACP and president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, are also expected at the event. Chavis, who co-founded the Hip-Hop Summit with Russell Simmons, is a longtime supporter of Hubbard and of involving the hip-hop generation more in the political process.
The event will be Thursday night, from 9:00 until midnight, at J. Bucks, 1000 Clark Ave. in downtown St. Louis. Tickets are open to the general public at just $25. Tickets to an 8:00 VIP event are $100.
Listen to the radio commercial:
Here's the invitation. Click to enlarge.
* Rodney Hubbard is a client of A D French and Associates (campaign management)
The opponents of the takeover of St. Louis Public Schools are having another fundraising concert tomorrow to raise money to fund their legal fight.
The benefit concert for the "Save Our Children’s Education Fund" will be on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester Rd, in "The Grove" neighborhood.
Musical talent slated to jam the afternoon away include: The Black Notes with The Raw Earth Experience, The Ivory Coast Drummers, and DJs Toby and Britton.
Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.
Jamala Rogers from the Organization for Black Struggle was the first person to testify at yesterday's hearing of the House Committee on Slavery Impact.
The committee, which is considering State Rep. T.D. El-Amin's resolution calling for the State of Missouri to apologize for its role in enslaving blacks, met in the historic Old Courthouse where the historic Dred Scott decision was first heard.
VIDEO: Young Lawyers, Triplett and Smith Come Out for Barack Obama
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Friday, December 07, 2007 at 12:29 PM
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
Braving the winter weather last night, a group of young local attorneys and Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, the local spokesperson for the Barack Obama for President campaign, came out to raise some money for the Illinois senator and talk about the importance of the upcoming Iowa primary.
Also officially coming out for Obama last night was State Senator Jeff Smith, who said it was in the interest of "domestic tranquility" that he had not come out earlier. Smith's girlfriend, Elisabeth Smith, is a John Edwards supporter. She's moved to Illinois to work on a Congressional campaign, leaving Jeff free to join the surging Obama campaign.
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.
The Clinton campaign may have dodged an embarrassing protest by a group opposed to one her biggest local supporters, Mayor Francis Slay, but the New York senator's support for the Iraq War is bringing out another group of protesters — and they'll be wearing pink!
The women's anti-war group, CodePink, is targeting Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton not just for her votes in favor of the war in Iraq, but also for not ruling out a possible preemptive strike on Iran.
"As Clinton travels throughout the country, CodePink, a national women's peace organization, has focused on educating the public about Clinton's war profiteering," states the group's press release.
"Hillary Clinton has received more money from employees of the top five U.S. arms manufactures than any other Presidential candidate, including leading Republicans," the release goes on to say.
"She has voted to authorize Bush's war on Iraq and she voted against legislation to ban the sale of cluster bombs for use in civilian areas. Clinton has also supported controversial legislation that would not rule out attacking Iran," charges CodePink.
If endorsements were as good as votes, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, armed with the largest host committee of current and former elected officials that anyone can remember, would have already won her 2008 election by a landslide.
Most of those hosts were on hand Wednesday night (we doubt all of them could've fit in one room) at Sqwire's restaurant in Lafayette Square as Joyce kicked off her campaign for a third term as the city's top elected law enforcer.
Hillary Clinton might have picked up more than she bargained for when she accepted the support of beleaguered mayor Francis Slay. A coalition seeking to remove him from office is moving forward with plans to protest Clinton's St. Louis appearance this weekend because he is scheduled to introduce her.
Yesterday, Sean Thompson, with the Clinton campaign, told State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, who is active with the recall effort, that there was no need for the protest because Slay was no longer going to introduce Clinton because of a "scheduling conflict."
"Upon hearing that news and confirming it myself with his office," said Thompson on a voicemail message, "I called Mr. [Eric] Vickers and talked to him and told him that the mayor would not be in attendance at the Pageant."
"It is my sincere hope that it changes the dynamic of the demonstration that you all had planned," said Thompson.
But when the Clinton campaign was unwilling to confirm in writing that Slay would not be introducing the presidential candidate, organizers moved on with their plans.
Tomorrow the Citizens to Recall Francis G. Slay, the Citizens to Support Fire Chief George, and other organizations and community leaders will hold a press conference to announce their protest plans.
"Mayor Slay, Senator Clinton's top supporter in the City, is scheduled to give the opening remarks at the Clinton Rally. Because of this, Senator Clinton is being placed on notice that protest demonstrations will take place at the rally — both inside and outside the Pageant," said the group in a press release today.
Tomorrow's press conference is scheduled for 10:00 AM in front of The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd.
Comptroller Darlene Green and License Collector Mike McMillan were among the estimated 350 people who attended a "Unity Rally" yesterday organized by Citizens to Recall Francis G. Slay.
State Representative Jamilah Nasheed, who has been the most visible elected official in the recall effort, served as emcee for the event which was also sponsored by the St. Louis Clergy Coalition and the Gateway Green Alliance. The event took place at the Gateway Classic Foundation building downtown.
According to the event's flyer: "The mayor has a history of playing racial politics, and a history of ignoring the wishes of the people. The Unity Rally is to show the power of the people – of all races – to stand against this racial and social injustice."
Former state rep Joan Barry kicked off her campaign for the State Senate Friday at the IBEW Local 1439 union hall in south St. Louis. Joining her were Dems from across the state, including State Sen. Harry Kennedy, the term-limited Democrat she's seeking to replace.
The host committee of the event included: former Congressman Dick Gephardt, Congressman Russ Carnahan, County Executive Charlie Dooley, County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch, Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, State Senators Harry Kennedy and Jeff Smith, State Reps. Sue Schoemehl, Mike Vogt and Pat Yaeger; Democratic Party chairman John Temporiti, and Committeepeople Earl Blasé and Ann Pluemer.
About a dozen teenagers attended a free hip-hop journalism seminar today at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. Instructor MK Stallings taught the students composition, reporting and interviewing techniques. The seminar was sponsored by the Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development.
St. Louis Congressman Lacy Clay was all smiles Friday night as he and visiting House majority whip Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC) helped raised over $100,000 for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The fundraiser was held at the home of Bob and Ellen Clark. Bob Clark is the founder, chairman and CEO of Clayco Construction Company.
Pictured are Lewis McKinney, an executive with Anheuser-Busch, James Clyburn and Clay.
French, Rosenbaum, & Martin to Address Mizzou Journalism Students Tonight
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 7:21 AM
As more media publications become converged, what challenges do professional reporters face? That's the subject of tonight's panel discussion "Clashes in Convergence?: Challenges of working in Dual Mediums" on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO.
Speakers include: Jason Rosenbaum, reporter and blog writer for the Columbia Daily Tribune; Brent Martin, managing editor of MissouriNet; and yours truly, Antonio French, editor of PubDef.net.
The program starts at 7:00 PM in 110 Lee Hills Hall.
The St. Louis stop of a national tour to raise awareness of the genocide in Darfur has been booked to capacity. Voices From Darfur, a speaking tour of Darfuri refugees is scheduled at SLU's Busch Center tonight, but every one of the 310 open seats has been reserved.
"We had so much interest that we had to take reservations," says Cecilia Nadal of Gitana Productions, the event's local sponsor. "We booked every seat...it's a good problem it have."
The event will feature stories of genocide told by those who lived them. While the purpose is to raise awareness, groups will be on hand to take donations.
Gitana Productions are sponsoring Voices From Darfur in preparation of an original play they will present next year. Written by St. Louis Lee Patton Chiles, the play will be based entirely on true stories from Darfur.
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.
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.
Saturday night, the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee and the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis hosted their annual Halloween party at the Glazier's Union Hall.
Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce and her husband.
A much slimmer Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza.
Under all that hair gel is State Senator Jeff Smith.
