Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Ferguson Bits

While everyone waits for the grand jury announcement… Governor Jay Nixon announced the members of his newly established “Ferguson Commission.”  Read the mighty Jason Rosenbaum’s article here.

And

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay outlines the preparations the city has made.  Read his letter here.

While

Governor Jay Nixon’s fumbled response to where the buck stops got national play: See  Daily Kos’ shot here.  The air of his national aspirations has been making a low whistle as it exits the balloon over the months of this Ferguson crisis.  See Post-Dispatch cartoon here.

Psycho-Analysis from a reader: “Do you think that Jay Nixon has spent so much time just trying to get to the next level in his career by successfully avoiding any sort of ownership that at this defining time in his career he either doesn't know how to do it or doesn't know that he should do it?”

No Zweifel in 2016

Yesterday’s big 2016 news… State Treasurer Clint Zweifel bowed out from the 2016 election cycle.  Some had wanted Zweifel to run for lieutenant governor as part of a slate with Chris Koster for governor.  Others had wanted Zweifel to run for US Senate against incumbent Roy Blunt.  But all are fans of Zweifel: his generosity, his work ethic, the sense that he’s in politics for the right reasons.

One lobbyist: Zwiefel’s not the type to run for a position because he need to run for something.  He ran for treasurer because he had a specific agenda he wanted to accomplish.  He still young, so don’t be surprised if he’s back, maybe as soon as 2018.

Zimmerman Confirms AG Rumors

As I wrote last week, St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman is eyeing the attorney general race in 2016.  Here’s his statement: Missouri deserves an Attorney General who will be fair to all and hold accountable those who break or bend the rules. As has been reported, my friends and supporters and many community leaders have encouraged me to run for Attorney General of Missouri. Their counsel is important to me, and I will give their recommendation full and fair consideration.   Over the next several weeks, my family, supporters, and I will discuss this important decision and I look forward to making an announcement at the appropriate time.

Brrrr

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler gets dinged for denying global warming.  Read it here.  Lesson: When available, always use a data set rather than a data point.

Senate 15, Senate 19 Follow-Up

Republican Handicapping Senate 15: Rep. Rick Stream will have right of first refusal in Senate 15 because of the work he put in running for County Executive.  He got way too many chits for coming that close to have a serious primary.  If he doesn't run it could get interesting. Rep. Andrew Koenig works real hard, but definitely not a guy most of the establishment would want in the Senate.  Rep. Don Gosen is loved by the insurance industry which would pour money into getting him elected.  And I don’t see Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst raising money on his own.

And Senate 19: Reps. Caleb Rowden and Caleb Jones would work something out.  There’s no way those two would run against each other; they’re both too smart for that.  Honestly I don’t think you have Rep. Steven Webber, Rowden, or Jones run against each other.  Those three are close, regardless of party affiliation, and will figure out a way that only one of them goes through. Rowden has impressed people with his grasp of the budget and has definitely proven himself a 'work horse' instead of a 'show horse'. Has a bright future in either leadership in the House or Senate… I would put Rowden and Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick at the top of their class in regards to future potential, both are real smart and put in the work.

Monsees to MHA

Virginia Young has the scoop: Rob Monsees, most recently with Advantage Capital, will be taking David Hale’s government relations spot for the Missouri Hospital Association.  Monsees worked for Peter Kinder during his Senate days, and was in the Matt Blunt administration.  Read her article here.

Bond for Hanaway

Missed this a few days ago… former US Senator (and governor) Kit Bond endorsed Catherine Hanaway for governor in 2016.  See the article here.

The rhetorical question one lobbyist asked: “So the guy lobbying for Medicaid expansion is endorsing a gubernatorial candidate (two years before the election) who’s against Medicaid expansion?”

Broader Medicaid Expansion Head Winds

With the national Republicans talking about dismantling the Affordable Care Act, and surely planning to send legislation to that effect to the White House (to be vetoed), do we really expect state Republicans to go against that grain?

Baker to Parson

Two tipsters say that Sen. Mike Parson hired Patrick Baker to be his new Chief of Staff.

Mayfield’s Goodbye

Rep. John Mayfield, on Facebook, reflects on his loss:  I am a blessed man. God has been so good to me. Over the past two weeks I've received so much encouragement from family, friends & constituents. The calls, texts & emails have been overwhelmingly positive.

Several of my Republican colleagues have reached out to me over the last two weeks. For that I will always be grateful. It's good to know that I have built relationships that will last & that I have earned the respect of folks with whom I don't always agree.

Some people have said to me that I'm handling the unsuccessful results of the election well. I'm not a person who handles losing well. Obviously, the results are not what I wanted. However my emotions are tempered by the fact that there are literally millions of people in this world who would trade their problems for mine in a heartbeat.

I've also noticed that our last five presidents have all lost elections at some point in their careers. If these folks could lose elections then anyone can have rough patches.

I will stay involved. I enjoy helping others… I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be Thankful for this year. May God Bless You All.

Fundraising Calendar

Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Joe Adams Reception – Pasta House, 8213 Delmar Blvd., University City – 5-7 p.m.

$5K+ Contributions

Hanaway for Governor - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to former Rep. Kenny Jones (64), and lobbyist Fred Dreiling (46).