MOScout Daily Update: Could "Down-Playing" Hurt Parson? - New Galloway Ads - Moon as Sen. NO - Rex Fallout - Rookie Lou Card and more...

Could Parson Get Caught in “Downplaying” Message?

Yesterday Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward released of a taped conversation with President Donald Trump in which Trump admitted to down-playing the severity of COVID. I wonder if Missouri Dems will attempt to tie Governor Mike Parson to this, drawing parallels between the governor’s COVID response and that of the president. Parson’s recent press briefings have continued to focus mainly on crime instead of the COVID situation.

Meanwhile…

·         Both the Washington Post and the New York Times lost Missouri as one of the highest states with the highest daily reported cases per capita.

·         The latest White House Coronavirus Task Force report (see it here) lists Missouri as red zone hot spot.  Parson is not pursuing the report’s recommendations, instead abdicating leadership to local health departments.

·         New cases continue to spread in the redder parts of Missouri.  St. Charles County is poised to overtake St. Louis City in total case count.

·         MDP statement: “Leaders like Governor Parson, who take their cues from Trump’s downplaying of the threat of coronavirus, should immediately reassess where their priorities are, take a stand, and hold the president accountable for his lies.” 

Driving the Day: New Galloway Ads

As we enter the final two-month sprint, Team Galloway is dropping three new fifteen-second ads this morning…

·         “First Thing”: Two years ago, Mike Parson made a terrible decision: he cut healthcare from a hundred thousand Missouri children.

·         “Mom”: Mike Parson’s claims I want to defund the police are simply false. As Governor -- and as a Mom -- nothing is more important than keeping all our communities safe.

·         “Independent”: As State Auditor, Nicole Galloway uncovered three hundred fifty million dollars – stolen or wasted by corrupt politicians.

Sinquefield Fallout

Word circulating the political community is that Travis Brown quickly announced lay-offs at his firm, Pelopidas. 

In today’s lobbyist registration listing (below), Brown and other lobbyists deregistered Rex Sinquefield as a client along with several Sinquefield vehicles like Grow Missouri and Great Saint Louis.

Moon Talk: Lots of Nos, Few Filibusters

Mike Moon as state senator will be a lot like Mike Moon as state representative. 

That means he’ll oppose any bill – regardless of its substance – if he deems it’s a special law (targeting just one particular community or city in the state), or if it’s violates the single subject prohibition. 

However, don’t look for Moon to filibuster every bill that doesn’t pass his standard.

Moon – who has roomed with Sen. Ed Emery during past sessions – will not obstruct the flow of legislation like former Sens. Jason Crowell and Rob Schaaf.

Rather he will follow the example of his old roomie and vote his conscious while reserving the filibuster for only the absolute most egregious situations.

Hawley Makes Trump’s No-So-Short List for SCOTUS

President Donald Trump released a list of 20 people who – together with his list from his first campaign – will be possible Supreme Court nominees in a second Trump term.

On the list – Sen. Josh Hawley, and Judge Sarah Pitlyk.

GOP Preps for Senate 15 Battle

One Republican tells me: “With recent polling showing a very competitive race in SD 15, MSCC and allies are set to launch a significant digital and direct mail campaign starting this week in support of Koenig. Senate Republicans, who win a lot more of these competitive legislative races than they lose, aren’t going to let this one go without putting up a fight.”

Lou Brock, Stan Musial, and Two Mickey Mantles

Press release: Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick returned approximately $30,000 worth of baseball and other sports cards to a St. Charles resident this morning. The cards, including a Lou Brock rookie card, a signed Stan Musial card, and two Mickey Mantle cards, were found in a safe deposit box that was turned over to the unclaimed property division… The collection returned today contained approximately 100 baseball and basketball cards.

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Craftsmen Management, LLC.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Flynn Drilling Company.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Witte Bros. Exchange Inc.

Protect Missouri Workers PAC - $10,000 from IBEW Local 1.

Wright County Republican Central Committee - $6,000 from Target committee(Dan Friend).

Lobbyists Registrations

James Harris added NaphCare Inc.

Larry Dale Crowder added Missouri National Guard Association.

Ralph Bellar added CB 1211 McGee, LLC.

Travis Brown deleted Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, A Safer Missouri, Great Saint Louis, Grow Missouri, Let Voters Decide, and Missourians for a Better Economy.

Dave Berry deleted A Safer Missouri, Let Voters Decide, Missourians For A Better Economy (MBE), Rex And Jeanne Sinquefield, and Heartland Hyperloop, Inc.

Tom Dempsey deleted Grow Missouri and Heartland Hyperloop, Inc.

Deanna Hemphill deleted A Safer Missouri, Great Saint Louis, Grow Missouri, Let Voters Decide, Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, and Heartland Hyperloop Inc.

Tracy King deleted A Safer Missouri, Children’s Education Council of Missouri, Great Saint Louis, Grow Missouri, Let Voters Decide, Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, and Heartland Hyperloop Inc.

Gary Burton and James Foley deleted Home State Health Plan.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Erika Leonard, Jill Kline, and Tom Madden.