Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Interngate
I think almost every conversation I had yesterday included talk of “Interngate.” In the absence of official information, speculation grows unchecked…Here are a few rumors I heard from multiple people…
A reporter at a major newspaper has screenshots of text messages which would explain the sudden decision from Missouri Southern to withdraw its students from the internship program at the Capitol.
Unnamed “others” are disputing the veracity of the screenshots in an effort to keep the reporter from writing a story based on it, but the court of private opinion is leaning heavily in favor of believing that they’re legit.
We’ll see…
And
I’ll use this as an opportunity to revisit Lanny Davis’ famous advice for not letting scandals become fatal: tell it early; tell it all; tell it yourself.
This Week
The House tentative schedule for this week shows the possibility of longer work days…
Tuesday, April 28
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m. – ?
Wednesday, April 29
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m. – ?
And… Floor Leader Todd Richardson notes that members should be prepared to start their Monday sessions at 3PM beginning next week.
Meanwhile in the Senate, Eli Yokley tweets that in the weekly press availability Senate leadership indicates that right to work is set for floor time. @eyokleyz: .@senatordempsey on the #RTW bill: "I think it could come up this week" in the Senate. @RonFRichard, he says, wants to bring it up. #MOLeg
Reaction to Gov Poll
Remington Defending Weighting
In 2008 African-American turnout, with the first African-American in history running for President of the United States, was still less than 10% in Missouri. It is farfetched to expect Hillary Clinton to drive African-American turnout more than Barack Obama.
People love to speak anecdotally about African-American turnout. Remington Research Group saw it firsthand in the Democratic Primary for St. Louis County Executive just last year between Steve Stenger and Charlie Dooley. Our weighting models are based upon past election participation data.
Team Koster
Friend –
A new poll from the Missouri Scout came across my desk earlier today that shows Chris leading all Republicans in a hypothetical campaign for governor.
This. Is. Huge.
Campaigns are about ideas, and Chris’s positive agenda for Missouri is resonating with voters across the state.
That positive message is not going to change no matter who the Republicans choose as their nominee.
Can you give $5, $10, $15, or $30 to keep the momentum going?
Let’s do this together.
Andrew
Laughing Observer
Got to love it. a couple of those were within the margin of error closer than most would expect and they are fundraising off it…
eMailbag on Dixon for Gov
Mike Parson is one of the finest human beings with whom I have ever interacted, and Bob Dixon rates very high with me as well for his honesty and compassion. Although I'll be voting in "the other primary," I'd surely like to get to vote in both columns next August!
I do think that the day when a moderate can win a GOP-primary is nearing. (And both Parson and Dixon would have clearly been defined as "conservative" thirty years ago. The extreme positions that are required for that status in the Republican party these days are being examined by many - and should be!) GOP legislators are increasingly taking stances that reflect shifting public opinion - on LGBT equality, on marijuana, and on not spending so much money on corrections when less expensive sentencing options are proving just as safe in other states.
In a feeding-frenzy primary with six or more candidates, a "moderate" with a strong and sizeable natural base will not be disadvantaged in a GOP-primary. One question about a primary that features both Dixon and Parson, however, is how regional loyalties will play out, since they are both from southwest MO.
She Said It
On Facebook… Maria Chappelle-Nadal: I really don't think Steve Stenger knows what he is doing or has the right people around him to make sensible decisions. <-- Yes, I said it.
Bits
A few lesser knowns are jumping into the statewide scene… Jeffrey Kees started a committee to run for secretary of state under the “Justice Party.” See it here. And Mary Bower started an exploratory committee to run for lieutenant governor as an Independent. See it here.
The St. Louis Business Journal’s afternoon email update points to an interesting article in The Atlantic which asks why Ferguson – home to big companies like Emerson – has to rely on traffic and court fines for so much of its municipal revenue stream. The hunch you might have like me – tax abatement to those big Incs – is wrong. Read it here.
eMailbag on PSC Help Wanted
With what the PSC is looking to do with the Ameren order they are going to need that litigation attorney they advertised for...
Lobbyist Registrations
Michael Moorefield deleted the Office Of Missouri State Treasurer.
Kelvin Simmons deleted Lyft.
$5K+ Contributions
Lewis & Clark Ozark Mountain Forum - $15,000 from Peter Herschend.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $6,000 from Centurytel Inc.
MO Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Koster for Missouri.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Andrew Hauptman.
Citizens for Tilley - $30,000 from Friends of Tilley.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Ameren’s Tina Shannon and former Rep. Brian Yates (40).