Friday, March 13, 2015

Hancock Unbowed

Nearly simultaneously yesterday, there were Republican senators in Jefferson City holding a press conference to call for John Hancock’s resignation, and Hancock himself was surfacing from his week-long silence on KMOX to defend his reputation and make it clear he wasn’t stepping down.

Go to John Combest to see how the various news media carried the story, which side got better play in which outlet.

Here’s a link to Hancock on KMOX making his statement.  And as part of his defense Hancock released an email exchange he had with Jack Danforth.

And

Jason Hancock’s KC Star story (see it here) says that the Republican legislators are skeptical about Catherine Hanaway’s role as well… Pull Quote: But the state lawmakers, who met with reporters in Jefferson City, said the problems in the party aren’t limited to alleged anti-Semitic statements. They also discussed possible connections between GOP gubernatorial candidate Catherine Hanaway and an ad that ran last month attacking Schweich’s appearance. The ad, which compared Schweich to Barney Fife and suggested he was a weak candidate, was paid for by a political committee with some ties to the Hanaway campaign. “Catherine Hanaway is going to have to answer some tough questions, too,” said Parson, who has been rumored to be considering a run for governor himself.

Greitens Money Chase

A fat $100,000 check hits the Eric Grietens exploratory committee in the large contributions (below).  While Catherine Hanaway has gone underwater since the Tom Schweich suicide, Greitens has been doing the publicity tour for his new book, and adding dollars to his exploratory committee at a nice clip.

These past weeks are showing the benefits of being an outsider.  Greitens appears to have completely avoided the all-consuming tug-of-war in the Missouri Republican Party over the fate of John Hancock.

And

Today’s $100K check is from John Hauck.  Who is Hauck?  He runs TSI Holding.  His large contributions over the past five years… $2,000 to Peter Kinder (2012), $2,500 to Rick Stream (2014), and $2,500 to Catherine Hanaway (2014).

Meanwhile Business Continues

The House passed the budget bills, as the aggressive timeline that the legislature set to for early passage of the budget appears to be holding so far.

The Senate passed their medical malpractice changes.  Pro Tem Tom Dempsey’s statement: “By reinstating caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits, we will reduce incentives for these frivolous lawsuits. Overall, it means more accessible health care for all Missourians.”

The House’s tentative schedule for next week includes possible working evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday as there’s traditionally a sprint to finish some business before Spring Break.

From the In-Box

Time for a Woman Auditor!

We're passing along this great suggestion from Paula Wilmarth, state president of the Women's Political Caucus.

I am writing to ask you to communicate with the Governor's office, Attorney General's office and Roy Temple, the Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party, and let them know that we, the women of the state of Missouri, are insisting that a woman be appointed to the vacant position of State Auditor.

I believe it is up to us to do whatever we can to try to influence this decision, because we need women in statewide office. We can't complain if we don't act; it's up to us.

Please contact the following people and ask them to name a woman as State Auditor for Missouri….

Missouri Women's Leadership Coalition

Reconsidering Hancock Support

Fellow Committeemen and Committeewomen,

As the tragic events surrounding the death of Tom Schweich continue to affect the MRP committee, I see public perception of our efforts being greatly compromised.  When we met on February 21, many committee members were filled with optimism for the future of conservatism in Missouri.  Now optimism seems the last among the descriptors for our mission. 

The words and feelings that continue to pour from many sources publically air what should never have been.  I continue trying to understand what the mention of anyone's religious preferences has to do with a campaign other than "play politics". 

Politics is not a game and should not leave the door open to "anything goes" behaviors.    Departure from this pipe dream continues to leave a trail of questions and skepticism about our new chairman.  I appreciate John's remorse and statements of apology.  However, we as a committee appear as supporters of recent events and the related innuendos as long as we stand in his support. 

For weeks I have agonized over the situation and can find no personal peace.  August marks the 25th anniversary of our son's suicide.  Even passage of a quarter of a century does not yield peace to such a tragedy.  I can only feel that we will always be seen by the Schweich family and friends as a party to the situation that drove Tom to such a desperate end.  This concept is a sad commentary for us.

Receiving the Eli Yokley email on Tuesday gave me a perspective that we are publically seen as parties who bear some responsibility to what has happened.  I find this reprehensible concept humiliating.

So what do we do!  Live with the yoke that is all over our faces?  Moving forward for the Republican cause in Missouri looks like an insurmountable endeavor.  Now that dirty laundry has been aired, fact or fiction, we must find a way to regain our dignity and pull together strength that will enable us to promote the platform and people we support.

In the past I have supported John Hancock.  Today I believe we must reexamine what is best for MRP, reevaluate how we can best proceed forward for our state and our  grandchildren.  It is with a heavy heart that I believe we must consider asking John to step aside as committee chair for the overall effectiveness our cause.

I submit this after much prayer, personal introspection and with sorrow.

Gail Cox

Bits

An Ethics complaint against former Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger was dismissed.  See it here.

Reader: “I'm sitting on jet at National – flying from DC to Lambert.  I am not surprised to see joining me (on the flight) are ten or so national news media flying in for Ferguson…”

Lobbyist Registrations

Mark Bryant added Gates Bar B Q of Missouri, Gates Management, O.G. Investment Company, and Onyx Development Corporation; and deketed MAC Healthcare Inc.

Scott Marrs added Multistate Associates Inc. On Behalf Of Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc.

Gregory Porter, Daniel Pfeifer, and Alex Eaton, added Coinbase, and Missouri home Care Union

William Massey added Compete Coalition

Michael Schler added Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association.

Dave Berry, David Jackson, and Travis Brown deleted Astellas Pharma Us Inc.

$5K+ Contributions

Greitens for Missouri - $100,000 from John C Hauck.

Slay for Mayor - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $7,837 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

Missourians for Koster - $25,000 from Michael Ketchmark.

Missourians for Koster - $12,500 from Western Missouri and Kansas Laborers’ District Council PAC.

Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from KCS Rail PAC.

Missourians for Fair Taxation - $25,000 from Missouri Association of REALTORS.

Civic Progress Action Committee - $7,500 from Edward Jones.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to (on Saturday) to former Rep. Mark Bruns (54).