Go back to homepageWatch PubDef VideosAdvertise on PubDef.netA D French & Associates LLCContact Us
 

Watch PubDef.TV


"Best Blogger"
St. Louis Magazine

Featured on
Meet the Press and Fox News

Watch our Meet the Press moment

"One of the Most
Influential People
in Local Media."

STL Business Journal


SUPPORT PUBDEF.NET

Your $7.00 monthly contribution will go a long way to helping us expand the coverage and services you enjoy.


GET THE LATEST PUBDEF NEWS 24/7:

Name:
E-mail:




ABOUT PUB DEF

PUB DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Our goal is to cast a critical eye on lawmakers, their policies, and those that have influence upon them, and to educate our readers about legislation and the political processes that affect our daily lives.

CONTACT US

Do you have a press release, news tip or rumor to share?

editor@pubdef.net
Fax (314) 367-3429
Call (314) 779-9958

Tips are always 100% Confidential


Subscribe to our RSS feed

Creative Commons License


 

 

 

 

 

PubDef is Still "Influential"

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 12:01 AM

According to a new ranking by BlogNetNews.com, PubDef.net is the 7th most influential political blog in Missouri.

The site (more specifically BlogNetNews.com/Missouri) launched a new feature this week that ranks which Missouri state politics and news blogs are having the most influence on the direction of conversation in the state blogosphere.

Considering we haven't even heard of, let alone visited, half the other blogs on the list, we're not sure how realistic the ranking is, but we'll take the compliment just the same.

"Our rankings come from data provided in your RSS feeds, data from the activity of readers on BlogNetNews.com and data about Internet traffic from third parties," says the site's operators.

Earlier this year, the St. Louis Business Journal also named PubDef one of the most influential voices in local media.

Each Sunday morning at 12:01 AM, BlogNetNews.com will release a new top 20 list of the blogs "most powerfully shaping opinion in the Missouri blogosphere." Here's the link.

And here's the current list:
1 Tony's Kansas City
2 Fired Up! Missouri -
3 The Turner Report
4 Politics Blog
5 KY3 Political Notebook
6 The KC Blue Blog
7 PUB DEF
8 CHATTER
9 Show Me Progress
10 Branson Missouri
11 Rhetorica: Press-Politics Journal
12 Blog CCP
13 Ozarks Messenger
14 Arch City Chronicle News
15 Ozarks Politics
16 The Source
17 The Kansas City Post
18 Corner of the Sky
19 Missouri Politics
20 Gone Mild
Okay, so this is probably a great time to encourage you to ADVERTISE on this "influential" website. Rates are reasonable. Call (314) 260-7321 or email us for a quote.

And if you're not an advertiser, but still want to support PubDef and help us expand our coverage, SUBSCRIBE for only $7.00 a month. Get a quarterly DVD of our best videos and a warm and fuzzy feeling for helping to keep independent media alive in St. Louis.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

4 comments


St. Louis Mag: French "Best Blogger"

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, June 22, 2007 at 1:52 PM

"I'd like to thank all the little people..."


The folks at St. Louis Magazine were nice enough to send two attractive women over today to present me with a plaque and a couple of early copies of their July issue, which includes yours truly on its annual "A-List".

Thank you to the editors for taking note of our efforts. And thanks especially to the thousands of people who read this blog regularly and care enough about what's going on around us to search for information, work on campaigns, and (if you're really nuts) run for office.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

21 comments


French in the Kansas City Star

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, February 23, 2007 at 9:05 PM

From an article in the Kansas City Star on the KC mayoral race:

Still, the Internet is a good way for candidates to communicate with their base and raise funds, said Antonio French, a St. Louis political observer and sometime campaign adviser. It has the advantage of being cheap, potentially yielding more votes for the dollars spent...

French acknowledged that the blogging era is still in its infancy, is more prevalent in middle class and affluent neighborhoods, and has yet to really make an impact in poorer, minority or rural communities.

Click here to read the full story.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

1 comments


Pub Def is "Influential"

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 6:20 PM

In this week's issue of the St. Louis Business Journal, which includes a long list of the "Most Influential St. Louisans", I am for some reason listed as one of the most "influential" people in media.

"[Antonio] French, the brain and brawn behind PUB DEF Weekly, leads a never-ending town hall meeting at www.pubdef.net, telling residents what they missed while they were too busy to care — or, we hope, just too busy. The blogger has been all over the ongoing tussle involving St. Louis Board of Education President Veronica O'Brien and Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, prompting scores of comments from supporters and opponents of a proposed state takeover of schools. He keeps an eagle eye on the Board of Aldermen too. If anyone understands better than French that the devil's in the details, we have yet to be introduced."

Thank you to the writer of those flattering words. I do wish, however, that I and the thousands of people who clearly expressed their opposition to a state takeover, including nearly every state legislator from the City, did have more influence over those outside people that clearly have more power over our city than we do.

Other "influential" media people on the list were: Kevin Mowbray, the publisher of the "once-admired" (that's according to the Biz Journal) Post-Dispatch; Donald Suggs, publisher of the "once admired" (that's according to me) St. Louis American; TV station managers Lynn Beall (KSDK), Allan Cohen (KMOV), and Spencer Koch (KTVI); radio station manager Tim Dorsey (KTRS); radio host and Donnybrooker Charlie Brennan and fellow KMOXer Dave Simmons; and my fellow bloggers, John Combest and Dave Drebes. Meanwhile, our blogger buddy Steve Patterson is listed among the region's "Influential Steves".

Labels: ,

Link to this story

12 comments


Pub Def in the Kansas City Star

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, February 12, 2007 at 6:08 AM

From reporter Dave Helling's story in Sunday's Kansas City Star:

Antonio French's St. Louis-based Web site, www.pubdef.net, is one of the best-known and most frequently viewed political Web sites in Missouri. French shoots, edits and posts dozens of videos of candidates and officeholders each week — often catching them in embarrassing situations that provide fodder for their opponents.

"I think video and blogs have introduced the 24-hour news cycle to local politics," French said. "That’s good for the public, but possibly bad for the politicians who don’t think before they speak." Last year, French shot video that became an issue in the Claire McCaskill-Jim Talent campaign.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

6 comments


PubDef for President???

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 6:46 PM

Ever wonder which political blogger is most likely to be President of the United States? (Yeah, me neither.) Well, the folks at the Columbia Tribune did and you might be surprised by the primary outcomes.

Click here to read Jason Rosenbaum's fantasy blogger Presidential scenario.

And let me just thank the good people of Arizona, North Dakota and Delaware. But Missouri, what happened? No love for PubDef?

Labels:

Link to this story

2 comments


100-Hour Scorecard (via KWMU)

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 8:27 AM

Tom Weber, of local NPR station KWMU, reports that Cape Girardeau-area Rep. JoAnn Emerson, a Republican, was especially supportive of Congressional Democrats' so-called 100-hour agenda.

Emerson voted for five of the six bills that passed during the 100 hours. Her only "no" vote was for the bill that implements the rest of the 9/11 commission's recommendations.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

2 comments


Happy Birthday, MLK

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, January 15, 2007 at 6:00 AM

You may have seen his "I Have a Dream" speech before, but watch it again now if only to marvel at how great of an orator Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was, and how large a void his murder left in American politics.

Labels:

Link to this story

1 comments


Big Jake's to be Torn Down

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 7:30 PM

The Missouri History Museum has purchased former Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr.'s Big Jake's BBQ on Delmar and, according to The Pacer neighborhood newsletter, plans to raze the building and put in a new "multi-modal" building.

Closed for a few months now, Big Jake's hosted several political meetings over the years and was one of the few places in town you could buy barbecued turkey legs so big they hung out of the Styrofoam to-go boxes. R.I.P. Big Jake's.

Labels:

Link to this story

2 comments


Props for Pub Def

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, December 30, 2006 at 6:00 AM

An article in Friday's Post-Dispatch gives props to Pub Def for our political coverage throughout 2006. Thanks to political reporter Jo Mannies for the love.

French, who operates Pubdef, said political activists at all levels had better get used to the relentless characteristic of these blog sites.

As he sees it: "The Internet has introduced the 24-hour news cycle to local politics."

Labels: ,

Link to this story

13 comments


R.I.P. Gerald Ford

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 10:45 AM



U.S. Senator Kit Bond today issued the following statement on the passing of former President Gerald Ford:

"Gerald was a kind and decent man who led this nation in a difficult and divisive time. A respected leader in the House, he brought a conciliatory, frank, and open attitude to the White House which gave him the respect of people on both sides of the aisle. He was a wonderful person to know and will always have a warm spot in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Betty Ford and his family."

Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that all flags at state facilities in Missouri will be flown at half-staff to honor the memory of President Ford.

"President Gerald Ford was a man of solid character," Blunt said. "He led our country with integrity during a difficult time and for that we should all be grateful."

The governor's order to lower flags follows a presidential order to lower flags at all federal facilities. Flags will remain at half-staff for a period of 30 days in accordance with the presidential order.

Labels:

Link to this story

3 comments


Christmas Losses

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, December 25, 2006 at 10:54 AM

James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, has died.



And Resurrection Lutheran Church, on the corner of West Florissant and Fair Avenues in north St. Louis, was destroyed by fire last night. Click here to see Channel 2's report.

Labels: , ,

Link to this story

1 comments


St. Louis Student Honored

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 2:55 PM

A student at a St. Louis City high school is one of four Missouri students selected for recognition in the prestigious U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Rui Bao, a senior at Metro Academic and Classical High School, was today announced as a recepient of a $5,000 scholarship and a week-long, expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

As a delegate, Bao will meet March 3-10, with 102 other outstanding students from across the country to learn about the functions of the federal government. During their week-long stay, the delegates will visit the Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court and the Pentagon.

The annual program was established by the U.S. Senate in 1962. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation provides financial and administrative support for the program.

Labels:

Link to this story

3 comments


ACORN Under Fire

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 9:09 AM

The Post-Dispatch's Jo Mannies is reporting that nearly 1,500 voter registration cards turned in recently by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) have been flagged as "potentially fraudulent" by the St. Louis Board of Elections.

This latest controversy comes just a week after we reported that several ACORN employees claimed they were instructed to tell people to vote for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill when they were registering new voters and performing GOTV activities on behalf of the Give Missourians a Raise committee.



Thanks to Mannies for mentioning our report in her story.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

7 comments


Washington Post on Stem Cell Debate

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, October 09, 2006 at 11:23 AM

The Washington Post has posted an in-depth video report on Missouri's Stem Cell Initiative. Click here to watch the video by Judy-Anne Goldman.

Thanks to FiredUpMissouri.com for the link.

Labels: , , ,

Link to this story

0 comments


Pub Def on "Meet the Press"

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, October 08, 2006 at 1:35 PM

PUB DEF was quoted on "Meet the Press" this morning during the debate between Sen. Jim Talent and State Auditor Claire McCaskill.

MR. RUSSERT: Let me turn to George W. Bush, because he’s become an issue in the campaign. Ms. McCaskill, you were quoted in the pubdef.net giving a speech which was blogged, saying, “She reminded people that ‘George Bush let people die on rooftops in New Orleans because they were poor and because they were black.’” One, why would you say that, and do you believe it?



MS. McCASKILL: Well, first, I was acknowledging how thousands and millions of Americans felt. The visual that we all saw in Hurricane Katrina was frankly, something none of us will ever forget. Incompetence turned tragic because the people there were unable to help themselves. This administration...

MR. RUSSERT: But do you think the president let people die because they were poor and black?

MS. McCASKILL: I do not, I do not believe the president is a racist. I was acknowledging the feelings of many, many Americans that this administration has left the most vulnerable, helpless—this administration has been about Wall Street and not about average Americans.

MR. RUSSERT: But do you apologize for this statement?

MS. McCASKILL: I, I think if it is misinterpreted that I was calling the president a racist...

MR. RUSSERT: Misinterpreted? “George Bush let people die on rooftops because they were poor and because they were black.”

MS. McCASKILL: That was—I was acknowledging what Americans believed at the time.

MR. RUSSERT: So you stand by it?

MS. McCASKILL: Absolutely, that’s what Americans believed. Now, I don’t believe he’s a racist, and if that—if people think—and maybe I shouldn’t have said it that way, Tim. Maybe I should have said it another way. I probably should have said it another way. But the feelings are real.

And by the way, if we had that tragedy, how ready are we for a disaster in this country? After the billions of dollars spent—once again, no accountability—they still are not looking in Congress at how all the money was misspent in Katrina. With all the billions spent on homeland security, our citizens died because we couldn’t get them food or water. This is not an administration that is ready to protect us.

Click here to read the transcript. Click here to read our original story in which this comment was first reported. And check back later to see the video from today's debate.

UPDATE: Click here to watch the entire debate on MSNBC's website.

UPDATE 2: Thanks to Christina Bellantoni for mentioning PUB DEF in her article on the debate in Monday's The Washington Times.

Labels: , ,

Link to this story

19 comments


RUMOR: Reed to Challenge Shrewsbury

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, September 22, 2006 at 9:32 AM

The Arch City Chronicle beat us to reporting (doesn't happen very often) the latest rumor which is making its way around city political circles: 6th Ward Alderman Lewis Reed will be challenging Jim Shrewsbury in next year's President of the Board race.

We all know race and races go together like peas and carrots in this town, so of course the chief concern among many black politicos is who would fill Reed's seat on the board. Win or lose, if he was to run for President he couldn't keep his aldermanic seat since both races occur on the same day.

The name that most often comes up as Reed's likely successor is Democratic Committeeman Patrick Cacchione (who curiously is on record as giving $1,000 to Republican Sen. Jim Talent less than two years ago). Cacchione is white. Reed is black. While whites only make up 44% of the city's population, they hold the vast majority of elected offices -- including almost 60% of the aldermanic seats.

Some northsiders may withhold supporting Reed's longshot campaign for Board President if he doesn't make a clear effort to keep the 6th Ward seat filled by an African-American.

PUB DEF will be at today's meeting of the Board of Aldermen. Check back later for comments and reactions from colleagues of both Reed and Shrewsbury to this rumored Battle Royale.

UPDATE: Reed tells PUB DEF that he is indeed contemplating a run against Shrewsbury. He said he will be making a final decision sometime within the next 3-4 weeks.

But judging by the presence and close proximity to Reed of political consultant David Poger (fresh off of Jeff Smith's state senate victory) at today's aldermanic meeting, it appears Reed might already be picking up some talent.

Labels: , ,

Link to this story

11 comments


So Long, Kevin

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 12:33 PM

KWMU reporter Kevin Lavery is leaving the station for Michigan, where he's getting a promotion of sorts -- he'll be a news director in East Lansing. His last day in St. Louis is tomorrow.

And speaking of KWMU, science reporter Robert Frederick had an interesting piece this morning on empowerment zone funds offered to the Solae biotech company to stay St. Louis. Click here to listen.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

2 comments


The Post, PUB DEF and YouTube

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 6:00 AM

Thanks to Jeff Daniel of the Post-Dispatch for including PUB DEF in his story on St. Louis as seen through YouTube.

"For Antonio French, however, the ability to create and post video is serious business. Covering local politics through his Web site, PubDefWeekly.com, French uses YouTube as a tool to allow viewers immediate, first-hand footage of the very subjects on which he reports and offers analysis."

Special thanks for including the website address.

Click here to see all 159 PUB DEF videos on YouTube.

Labels: , ,

Link to this story

4 comments


Catching Up, Plus: Thanks, Sly

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 6:00 AM

Still getting caught up with everything now that my electricity is back on. Shot some video yesterday but haven't had time to edit it yet. Look for it later today. Will also be looking closely at the latest campaign finance reports today, so look out for that as well.

Traffic on the site has been busier than ever. More than 11,000 visits a week for the past two weeks. Did see bit of drop off when the power went out, but it's back on track since yesterday. So with exactly TWO WEEKS LEFT until the August 8 election, there is still time to get in your political ad. Shoot an email to antonio@pubdef.net to get rate information.

And thanks to Sylvester Brown for mentioning PUB DEF and this video in his Sunday column. Looks like the PUB DEF blackout might be over at the Post-Dispatch. Maybe now Steve Giegerich will start crediting our STLSchools.org when he re-reports our scoops.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

0 comments


Special Prize for Lou Hamilton

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, May 22, 2006 at 9:32 AM

Back in April, we announced that political consultant Lou Hamilton -- who has recently drawn criticism for his dual roles as aide to Mayor Francis Slay and hired lobbyist for Barnes Hospital -- was the winner of our "Name That Politico!" contest. We promised to give Lou a "special prize."

"What do you get the man that has everything?" we asked.

Well, we had something in mind. And after some time in the PUB DEF archives room, we have it.

Back in 2002, as people were fighting against Slay and developer Steve Stogel's evil plan to tear to down the 102–year-old historical landmark Century Building, a series of posters appeared downtown.

One of those posters featured a headshot of Stogel surrounded by parking garage after parking garage. "Welcome to Stogel's vision for St. Louis," it read.

Such a collector's item is a rare jewel for a political junkie. And it is our pleasure to present this "special prize" to Mr. Lou Hamilton.

Congratulations, Lou!

Labels:

Link to this story

3 comments


You Can't Keep a Good Blog Down

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 4:35 PM

Steve Patterson is reporting that someone tried to take out his Urban Review website yesterday with a denial of service attack. Patterson, who is a frequent critic of several local politicians and developers, has been one of the vocal supporters of the ongoing attempt to recall Ald. Jennifer Florida (15th Ward). He recently got into an email debate with Ald. Stephen Gregali (14th Ward) on the subject.

Related Stories:

Florida Recall Moves Forward

Labels:

Link to this story

1 comments


Metro has a new website

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, April 28, 2006 at 1:47 PM

Scratch one thing off our list of 3 things Metro should do to improve public transportation in St. Louis. Behold the new www.metrostlouis.org

Labels:

Link to this story

0 comments


Schoemehl's 25th Anniversary

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 9:06 AM

It was nearly 25 years ago that Vince Schoemehl, the young alderman from the 28th Ward, was sworn-in as mayor of the City of St. Louis. On April 21, he and his supporters will be remembering the moment.

They promise "No Speeches," "Just Fun," when they gather at the Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park at 5:00 next Friday to remember the legacy of the Schoemehl Administration.

That legacy means many things to many different people.

Some recall Schoemehl's time in Room 200 as the birth of a stronger Office of Mayor in the City of St. Louis. "Schoemehl worked to transform the office of mayor from a 'weak mayor' system into a political powerhouse," remembers an exhibit at the St. Louis Public Library.

Others recall Schoemehl's tenure as a destructive turning point in the rapid decline of certain parts of the City.

His term coincided with a awful rise in crime marked by the introduction of crack cocaine and gang wars that left thousands of young men dead in the City's streets.

Schoemehl will always be known in many communities for reneging on his promise to reopen the vital Homer G. Phillips Hospital located in north St. Louis' Ville neighborhood.

In 1992, Schoemehl was defeated by then-Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan in the Democratic primary for Governor. He was succeeded as mayor by the City's first African-American to hold the office, Freeman Bosley, Jr.

Labels: ,

Link to this story

0 comments


The 23rd Annual Wine and Roses Ball

The 23rd Annual Wine and Roses Ball

PubDef.net is looking for cameramen.



The Royale Foods & Spirits

Visit the PUB DEF Store



Advertise on Pub Def

 

 

 

Google
 
Web www.pubdef.net