PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

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.

UPDATE: According to the Post-Dispatch, Clinton’s Sunday event at The Pageant has been moved back an hour, to 6:00 PM.

Earlier Story:

Did Hillary Dump Francis?

When presidential candidate Hillary Clinton comes to St. Louis on Sunday she was scheduled to be introduced by one of her best known supporters, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. But a threat to picket the event by the coalition seeking the mayor’s removal from office may have put an end to that.

It was former U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neal who was best known for saying “All politics is local.” Well, the prospect of stepping into a big steaming pile of Slay’s local political woes seems to have forced the Clinton campaign to distance themselves from the beleaguered mayor.

State Representative Jamilah Nasheed and others supporting the recall effort contacted the Clinton campaign this week to inform them that they planned to picket Clinton’s event at the Pageant theater if Slay would be introducing the New York senator.

According to Nasheed, a representative from the campaign notified her Wednesday evening that Slay suddenly had a “scheduling conflict” which will prevent him from introducing Senator Clinton.

In the past, Clinton has offered praise for Slay.

“Francis Slay is one of a new breed of mayors who are revitalizing their cities and setting an example for the rest of the country,” Clinton said back in April. “I’m honored to have his support.”

Still concerned by Slay’s role in the Clinton campaign, the recallers have not yet decided whether to call off their protest entirely.

Clinton will be speaking at the Pageant, 6161 Delmar, this Sunday at 5:00 PM. This is Clinton’s last trip here before the important Iowa primaries.

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards will address the National Urban League conference being held at the America’s Center this week. The conference goes from Wednesday the 25th through Saturday the 21st, with the candidates scheduled to address attendees Friday morning.

CLINTON ON TRUMAN — Former President Bill Clinton… Ahhhh, remember the Clinton Years? Stock market through the roof, no American cities destroyed by terrorism or flood, general peace and prosperity — The Good Ol’ Days. Oh how we miss thee… Anyway, back to my thought… Clinton is going to be in Independence, MO today speaking on the legacy of Missouri’s only U.S. President, Harry Truman.

If you’re contemplating the four-hour drive, don’t bother. Tickets are sold out. Hey, it’s Bill.

WANTED: MINORITY LEADER — Earlier this week, it broke that State Rep. Jeff Harris (D-Columbia) was stepping down as House Minority Leader. MissouriPolitics.net and Jason Rosenbaum think current Asst. Leader Paul LeVota (D-Jackson County) is the leading figure to replace Harris.

THE “I WISH…” LAW — Governor Matt Blunt has been zig-zagging across the state in recent weeks signing bills into law. As a matter of fact, the Gov will be in Maplewood and St. Charles later today to sign two more. But last week, Blunt signed one of the more popular new laws — at least among the fellas in the barbershops.

Called the “Castle Doctrine” by supporters, the new law allows people to use deadly force on intruders to their homes or carjackers. In addition to shielding people against lawsuits, the bill also removes the requirement that a person flee from an attacker.

In the barbershops, it’s being called the “I Wish a Muthafucka Would” law after Cedric the Entertainer’s popular comedy routine (video clip NSFW).