Wednesday, October 12, 2016
A Referendum on Washington?
The new TV commercials from Jason Kander and Roy Blunt provide a pretty clear glimpse into what’s framing this election… voters fed up with Washington. This has been part of the fuel of Donald Trump’s campaign. Normally reasonable voters are willing to forgive the many un-American proposals he’s laid out (a database of citizens based on religion, seeking to “renegotiate” with holders of US Treasuries to pay them less than they’re owed, jailing his main political opponent) because they so badly want to shake up a seemingly broken system.
In Jason Kander’s latest ad (see it here) he employs what’s become his unofficial tagline: “we won’t change Washington until we change the people we send there.”
And Sen. Roy Blunt’s latest ad (see it here) is his attempt to rebut the charges that he is part of the problem. It casts Blunt as a problem solver who uses his office to help average Missourians.
I think this Blunt ad hits its mark dead center, and is extremely effective. However, if this ultimately the framing of the election, it could be Blunt’s downfall (and many other incumbents).
And
Tipster says, “American viewpoint polling tonight for Roy Blunt. Usual questions but wanted to know opinions of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and specifically if I thought Blunt was too supportive or not supportive enough of Trump…”
New Hawley Ad
In his latest commercial Josh Hawley is on the soccer field with his family. He’s no longer talking about taking on Obama. Instead he’s going to take on both parties because he’s a tough lawyer. See it here.
Gubby Bits
Les Turilli, the Independent candidate for governor, who’s running on a biblical platform, apparently is going up on TV. See an ad contract here. One expects that Turilli will likely be taking votes from those who would normally vote Republican but may be turned off by the less-than-conservative aspects of Donald Trump or Eric Greitens. See Turilli’s website here.
A MOScout reader sent in this apparent mess up: a Greitens mail piece with a bit of Hawley thrown in? See it here. Maybe a campaign flub, maybe the mail house’s mishap, maybe everyone’s to blame?
Emery Becomes Campaign Issue in Senate 19
Rudi Keller reports on the Senate 19 forum last night. See it here. I’m not sure these events move voters much.
Pull Quote: The University of Missouri, missed votes and Sen. Ed Emery were the most heated topics of debate Tuesday night at the Columbia Public Library as state Reps. Stephen Webber and Caleb Rowden fought for the 19th District state Senate seat…. Emery's comments were made Thursday at a Boone County Republican chili supper and were pounced on by Democrats demanding that GOP candidates in attendance rebuke them. Rowden again declined to do so on Tuesday. Rowden said his record on sexual orientation and sexual identity issues showed his support. He was a key vote against a proposed constitutional amendment allowing businesses to refuse service to same-sex weddings.
Keller also live-tweeted the event. See his Twitterfeed here.
Twitter Highlights
.@calebrowden attacking @s_webber for 940 missed votes: 'One of the jobs is to show up.' #moleg
.@s_webber says @calebrowden runs away from votes. 'Caleb routinely runs out of the room to avoid a tough vote.' #moleg
Early October Filings
Here are some of the heavy-weight PACs that have already filed their October quarter campaign finance reports with their cash on-hand.
Eastern MO Laborers Education & Benevolent Fund – $815,503
Pipefitters Assoc Local Union 533 - $619,409.
HealthPAC – $405,146
Missouri Energy Development Association Political Action Committee – $234,496
Kratky for Alderman
Rep. Michele Kratky amended her campaign committee to show that she’s running for St. Louis City alderman, Ward 16. See it here. And she filed her October report showing $40,574 on-hand.
Other Committees Amendments
Ron Reid is the new treasurer for the Associated Industries of MO PAC. See it here.
Bob Gough is the new treasurer of the Jackson County Republican Committee. See it here.
John Conrad is the new treasurer of the MOSFA PAC. See it here.
Anti-Hood Committee Formed
Citizens for Competent Judges was formed. Its purpose is to oppose the retention of Judge Dale Hood in St. Louis County. That vote is next month. The treasurer is Katherine Schneier.
Apparently Hood is the poster child for an unqualified judge in our system. The Post-Dispatch write an editorial about him. See it here.
Pull Quote: Forty-nine Missouri judges will stand for retention on Nov. 8 in various judicial circuits across the state. Forty-eight of them received unanimous or overwhelming endorsement from a 21-member committee sponsored by the Missouri Bar that reviews judicial performance.
The single exception is Associate Circuit Judge Dale W. Hood of the St. Louis County Circuit Court. Only one of the 21 panel members thought Hood deserved another four years on the bench. His sub-5 percent approval rating is believed to be a record low…
This time around, county voters should heed the experts and deny Hood another four years on the bench…
Other New Committees
The 8th Congressional District Republican Committee was formed. David Courtway is treasurer. See it here.
Garry McFee started a committee to run for Commissioner Eastern Dekalb County. See it here.
Bits
Former Rep. Douglas Funderburk writes on Facebook: “After 34.5 years at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing Company I've decided to take my final sortie working for one of the worlds premier military fighter/attack aircraft manufacturers. Boeing is a great company to work for and the folks I work with are THE BEST and I will miss them the most! I'm starting a new career with General Motors which hopefully takes me one day to my retirement... just not ready to do that yet!”
Tony Messenger pens a column today on what he thinks is motivating David Humphreys’ support for Josh Hawley. See it here. “In Missouri, though, buying an attorney general is as easy as buying a package of roofing shingles.”
Kit Bond is quoted in this Politico piece about Republicans who think Trump should stop saying that the election is "rigged." See it here.
Help Wanted
Missouri Medicaid Coalition seeks Grassroots Campaign Director. “[B]e responsible for the daily tasks and operations of moving forward the grassroots work of coalition efforts to implement Medicaid Expansion and reforms as it relates to the Affordable Care Act in Missouri. This is a one-year contract lasting from December 1st, 2016 - December 1st, 2017, with a possibility of extension, pending grant funding… Compensation range $60,000-$70,000 dependent on experience. Stipend toward health insurance provided… “ See it here.
Supreme Court of Missouri seeks Executive Director, Board of Law Examiners. “The Board of Law Examiners is responsible for administering the Missouri bar examination and determining the character and fitness and the eligibility of all applicants seeking admission to the bar in Missouri. The executive director provides management and support for all aspects of the bar admission process, including oversight of the board's office, budget and staff of ten… Starting salary range $88,212 to $100,620 annually depending on experience and qualifications…” See it here.
Missouri School Boards' Association seeks Staff Attorney. “This entry level position as a staff attorney will support other attorneys in creating and reviewing school board policy, creating summaries of court cases and state and federal law for school board members and school district employees and providing training on education-related topics…” See it here.
Today’s Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
House 81 candidate Fred Wessels Reception – Sam’s Steakhouse – St. Louis – 5:30PM.
Judy Baker reception – Mallinson Vineyard and Hall – Sugar Creek MO – 7PM.
$5K+ Contributions
Major Brands Political Action Committee - $25,000 from Susan McCollum.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $620,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $50,000 from Aaron’s Inc.
We Deserve Better Inc - $28,140 from Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures Inc.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $8,000 from HCA Political Action Committee Industry Advancement Fund.
Koster for Missouri - $15,000 from Allen Kilgore.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Firefighters for Missouri Governor.
Missouri Energy Development Association Political Action Committee - $10,000 from Liberty Energy (Midstates) Corp.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from John Qualy.
Gretiens for Missouri - $5,001 from Susan Ludeman.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $10,000 from United Steelworkers District 11.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $10,000 from Simons Hanly Conroy.
Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $15,000 from James B Nutter Sr.
The People to Elect Brent Lasater - $7,500 from KC MO Republican Senate PAC.
Friends for Munzlinger - $10,000 from Great St. Louis.
Friends for Munzlinger - $10,000 from Great St. Louis.
UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee PAC MO - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.
MO Drive Fund - $50,000 from DRIVE Committee.
Committee to Elect Jean Evans - $23,771 from Missouri Realtors PAC Inc.
Missourians for Fair Taxation - $200,000 from National Association of REALTORS.
Missourians for Byron DeLear - $5,646 from Missouri State Democratic Committee.
Schmitt for Missouri - $7,500 from Susan Ludeman.
Hannegan for Sate Representative - $21,624 from Missouri Realtors PAC Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Rep. Jason Chipman (the big 4-0), Rep. Charles Schlottach, Jeff Mazur, Mavis Busiek, Dave Chilenski and Bridget Halquist.