Wednesday, October 24, 2012
No Nixon Help Coming?
It sounds – from the talk going around – like Governor Jay Nixon has decided he can’t afford to help any of his fellow Democratic statewide candidates.
Last night on KTVI (St. Louis’ Fox affiliate) they showed Nixon getting a good chortle when asked whether he would help other Democratic candidates. Maybe that’s his way of saying No.
One Democrat earlier in the week whispered that Nixon’s internal polls had shown a tightening in his race with Dave Spence. This could be giving Nixon’s team cold feet about sending any of their cash to other Dems.
Assuming it’s true that Nixon is once again demonstrating his unique brand of party leadership, it’s a blow to Susan Montee and Jason Kander.
Both Chris Koster and Clint Zweifel appear to have insurmountable fundraising leads over their Republican opponents. But Montee is locked in a duel with Peter Kinder, and Kander’s opponent, Shane Schoeller, may be able to reel in one more big check from Rex Sinquefield to even up his cash balance.
Claire Leaves Trail
With her mom is very sick, Sen. Claire McCaskill cancelled her campaign events. Read the Beacon’s article here.
SMR Update: Westinghouse Announces Partnership
Press release: “Westinghouse Electric Company is pleased to announce the signing of a multiyear master research and collaboration agreement with the University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. The agreement will support the development of multiple cutting-edge research projects at the institutions that will
benefit the Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project and the nuclear energy industry as a whole…
“According to John Goossen, vice president, Westinghouse Innovation and SMR Development: ‘This collaboration advances our partnership with the University of Missouri System as well as our business relationship with Ameren Missouri as it seeks to be the first American utility to pursue a Combined Construction and Operating License and possibly deploy a Westinghouse SMR at its Callaway Energy Center. It is our hope that this alliance will underscore our efforts to support Missouri in becoming a hub for the design, development, manufacturing, construction and deployment of American-made SMRs across this nation and around the world.’ Ameren Missouri is the operating license partner in the Westinghouse application to secure Department of Energy (DOE) SMR investment funds…”
What it Means
While there’s still no word from the Department of Energy on the $400+ million grant application, this is clearly good news. The more alliances and partnerships that Westinghouse builds in Missouri (with the utilities, with academic research institutions, with private corporations like Burns and McDonnell) the better positioned Missouri is for both the federal dollars in the short term, and for the new manufacturing facilities in the longer term.
Schoeller Ad Coming…
From the TV contracts (see one here) it looks like Rep. Shane Schoeller will finally be joining his opponent Jason Kander on the air later this week.
Dr. Gina to the Rescue, Ready to Be Interviewed
The press release: After watching the GOP establishment join with the left in an attempt to destroy the reputation of Todd Akin, Dr. Gina Loudon couldn't hold back any longer. She has traveled back to her home state of Missouri to tell the truth about family friend, Todd Akin…
Dr. Gina Loudon plans to set the record straight on Congressman Todd Akin!
Dr. Gina has returned to her home state of Missouri because:
- THIS RACE IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
- THIS RACE WILL DECIDE THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE SENATE
- THIS RACE WILL DETERMINE THE FATE OF OBAMACARE
- THIS RACE WILL SEND A MESSAGE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT
Dr. Gina is ready to be interviewed about the REAL STORY of the Akin vs. MsCaskill race. Dr. Gina is now on the ground in Missouri and she has encountered many thugs along the way! She joins Congressman Akin on the campaign trail to tell her personal stories about his impeccable character and integrity; and women around the state are joining the ranks of the Akin campaign.
New Ads
Nixon’s latest: “Trust” pretty much just a remix of previous ads this cycle. See it here.
No on Prop B: The central message is that the increased tax revenue won’t ever make it to education. See it here. (The Yes folks have an effective retort commercial which basically says you’re a fool if you think the tobacco companies are looking out for your best interests.)
Swinger’s “St. Louis Gets Too Much” Gripe is Delusional
In Rep. Terry Swinger’s television advertisement he reverts to a stock rural campaign trick and complains that Louis gets too much. In context, he seems to be referring to education funding.
Yet I wonder if he’s looking at the same numbers as everyone else. And if so, it’d be interesting to know what color the sky is in his world.
The bootheel districts rely on far more government subsidies than the St. Louis districts.
Pemiscot fund about 30% of the cost of their schools receiving subsidies from the state and federal government to cover the rest. St. Louis City’s district self-funds at nearly twice that level with local taxes accounting for 57.5% of their budget. And in many suburban St. Louis districts, the amount of state funding received is negligible. Pattonville, Kirkwood, Lindbergh, Parkway, Affton, Maplewood and others all self-fund near or over 90% of their own budgets.
Senate Conservative Fund Mum on MO
In a fundraising email this morning from the Senate Conservatives Fund, Missouri’s senate race doesn’t even get a mention. Considering it was one of the groups who changed course and gave Akin money before, it seems to indicate that he’s fallen off their radar.
Fellow Conservatives: There are just few days to go until Election Day. Please take a moment to read this urgent update on five important U.S. Senate races. The outcomes of these races will determine control of the U.S. Senate and the future of our country... PENNSYLVANIA… INDIANA… ARIZONA… VIRGINIA… In the 2012 election cycle, SCF members have donated over $14 million to help change the Senate and save America's future. Please answer the call today and help us push the Senate conservatives on to victory…
House 70: Otto Pokes Dokes
Democratic Bill Otto, running in House 70, pokes Republican Eugene Dokes for his “lavish” birthday party…
“Eugene Dokes, Republican candidate for the new 70th District for the Missouri House, listed on his Missouri Ethics Commission report expenditures of $12,970.98 for a party on his birthday that brought in a total of $1360 in campaign donations.
“Dokes advertised a ‘Birthday Soiree’ fundraiser on August 18th to be held at the Clarkson Jewelers Club in the Edward Jones on September 11th, his birthday. Dokes spent $2106.37 for catering, $1000 to the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau, $750 on entertainment, $400 on flowers, $378.61 on photography $200 for a cake, and $136 on party favors for the attendees. In addition, the suite in the dome was listed as an $8000 campaign contribution. For what would have normally been considered a premium event, Dokes listed income of only $1360 on his MEC report.
“Bill Otto, Democratic candidate for the new 70th District said ‘I can’t imagine any contributor that would be happy with their money being used to finance lavish parties. I think this is a good indication of how he would use taxpayer’s money if he were to be elected.’ Mr. Otto went on to say that there may be a violation of the Missouri Ethics Commission rules as well as a violation of the Missouri law concerning misuse of campaign funds….”
eMailbag
On the Kinder American Viewpoint poll
“It’s a poll that does not include Cynthia Davis, in all polls that include her she is polling at least 4%.”
“I really doubt the American Viewpoint poll is accurate. They are a private Republican pollster who doesn’t make their methodology public.”
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
Steven H Dinolfo added Yes/4 Incorporated.
Kwame Griffith added Teach for America.
Brent Hemphill and Kristian Starner added Hollywood Casino.
April Popescu added Parent Revolution.
Kenneth E Siemens added Murphy, Taylor, Siemens & Elliott P.C.
David Reynolds deleted Comprehensive Health Management Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Pearce for Senate - $18,851 from Realtors Political Action Comm-MO.
Show-Me Cannabis Regulation - $6,000 from American Victory Coalition.
Local Union 45 Political Action Committee - $10,000 from LU 45 Plumbers & Pipefitters.
MO Republican Party - $50,000 from Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer.
Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer - $19,865 from Realtors PAC-Missouri.
Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer - $10,000 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.
Competitive Enterprise Growth Political Action Committee - $45,000 from Glazer’s Wholesale Drug Co.
Missouri’s Future - $15,000 from Hall, Ansley, Rodgers & Sweeney, P.C.
Committee to Re-Elect Judge Dan Pelikan - $5,500 from Bredensteiner & Associates P.C.
ASA Midwest PAC - $16,900 from American Subcontractors Association – Midwest Council.
Citizen to Elect John Wright - $15,000 from John Riddick.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $125,000 from XCaliber International LTD.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $275,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $10,000 from Amcon Distributin Company.
Citizens for Vicki Lorenz Englund - $6,637 from Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Missourians for Ed Martin - $10,000 from Edward Martin.
MO Democratic State Committee - $5,100 from Mary Nichols for State Rep.
MO Democratic State Committee - $36,800 from Scott Sifton for State Senate.
Missourians for Health and Education - $55,010 from American Heart Association.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 from RSLC Missouri PAC.
Friends of Bill Stouffer - $11,200 from Axiom Strategies LLC.
MO Republican Party - $30,000 from Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.
MO Republican Party - $200,000 from House Republican Campaign Committee.
Missourians for Health and Education - $10,000 from Energizer Holdings Inc.
Concerned Citizens of Waldo - $8,000 from Integrity In Law.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Jay Wasson (56), Chuck Hatfield (46), Brian Wahby (47) and Craig Stevenson.