Thursday, September 13, 2012
Rasmussen: McCaskill Up on Akin
A new Rasmussen poll of 500 likely Missouri voters, conducted September 11, finds Sen. Claire McCaskill with an six-point lead over Congressman Todd Akin.
Topline: McCaskill 49%; Akin 43%.
Cross-tabs: McCaskill still only reaches across to pick up 7% of the Republican vote, but she kills with moderates 70%-22%, and handily leads with those not identifying party allegiance 47%-36%.
Akin Bits
Conservative Christian radioer Dick Bott offered something that sounds like a half-hour commercial for Akin this week on his “Complete Story” show. Find it here.
In this segment of “Coffee with Haley Barbour,” the former governor explains the establishment’s case for dumping Akin since his “crazy” statements. “He won the primary nomination against two fellow Republicans because Harry Reid and Claire McCaskill spent a couple million dollars to hoodwink Republicans into thinking he was the best candidate when they knew he was the weakest candidate and the only one that McCaskill had any chance to beat. And after this bonehead statement we understand why they thought that.” See it here.
The Franklin County Republican Central Committee calls out the anti-Akin establishment, passing a resolution saying, “the Franklin County Republican Central Committee also calls on by name, the Executive Committee of the Missouri Republican Party: Chairman David Cole, Vice Chairman Susie Eckelkamp, Secretary Pat Thomas, Treasurer Richard Peerson, National Committeeman Lance Beshore, National Committeewoman Catherine Hanaway and MO Political Director Lloyd Smith and our 26th Senatorial Committeeman Dennis Broadbooks and Committeewoman Joy Gerstein to ALL lead the charge of public support for Todd Akin, candidate for U.S. Senate, therefore complying with the voters of the state of Missouri representing their choice. Be it also resolved… to call on by name, our Republican Office holders to be in public agreement with the voters of our State in the said primary election… We call, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, State Senator Brian Nieves, in addition; State Representatives for Franklin County, Paul Curtman, Dave Hinson, Dave Schatz and State Representative and Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones to publically endorse and support Todd Akin.”
Rasmussen: Nixon Job Approval at 65%
Rasmussen also asked respondents to rate Governor Jay Nixon. 19% strongly approved of the job that Nixon is doing, and 46% somewhat approved. That gives Nixon a 65% overall approval, the highest I have seen him score on these polls.
This high mark was powered by across the board support – including Republicans (60% approving) and conservatives (63% approving). It’ll be interesting to see if their support extends to the ballot box.
Spence’s Place to Stand
Republican Dave Spence, though, does still have a place to stand if he wants to move this race. Yesterday, the Post-Dispatch reported that Missouri’s median household income contracted again. According to these numbers, half Missouri households make more than $45,774; half make less. Read it here.
This brings Missouri median household income down to 1994 levels. It’s like twenty years gone. Poof. You might think an incumbent of the last four years would catch some of that flack.
Spence still needs a lever long enough…
Rumorville: Carter to Replace Carter
In the halls yesterday a strong source said that after Rep. Chris Carter wins his St. Louis City aldermanic race and vacates his state representative seat, a family member will likely be tapped to replace him. It is, this source said, still unsettled whether the next Rep. Carter will be a cousin of Chris’ or another family member, but the seat is expected to stay in the family.
Yesterday’s Override Vote
The legislature passed on the auto tax override and squeaked through an override on the contraceptive bill.
There were no real surprises in the contraceptive vote. All the House Democrats who voted to override the governor had voted for the original bill. And a few (Reps. Linda Black and Steve Hodges) who voted for the original vote switched to stick with governor.
On the Senate side there was only one switch: Sen. Tim Green originally voted for the bill; yesterday he voted to uphold the governor’s veto. On the floor he spoke about having been educated about the issue by his children.
Local Control Rally
Supporters of St. Louis City’s attempt to win local control of its police department held a press conference, gaining endorsement from across the state. Read it here.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
James C. Bowers, Jr. added Railyard LLC.
Richard I. Martin deleted Infrastructure Management Group LLC.
$5K+Contributions
Friends of Philip Prewitt - $9,000 from Sharpe Holdings.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 from James Hebenstreit.
Health Education and Learning Political Action Committee (HealPAC) – State - $12,500 from HealPAC.
Jay Nixon for Missouri - $12,500 from IAFF Local PAC 6320.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Dempsey for Senate.
Missouri’s Future - $14,000 from Simmons Firm.
Missourians for Health and Education - $210,000 from Health Care Foundation of Greater KC.
Democratic Attorneys General Association – Missouri - $250,000 from Democratic Attorneys General Association Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Ann Wagner.
Friday: Jon Dalton (51).
Saturday: Holly Rehder (43) and Sarah Gillooly.
Sunday: former state senator Joan Bray (67), Legislative assistant Nicole Brown (27) and Jim Kottmeyer.