MOScout Daily Update: Greitens' Out-of-State Strategy - Moon on Veto Session - Independence Eyes More Police and more...
Greitens’ Out-Of-State Strategy
Eric Greitens is re-writing the normal campaign strategy of meeting voters. Instead, he often visits other states and “reports” back to voters via social media.
The normal statewide campaign has candidates hopping from event to event: raising money, giving speeches, shaking hands. Candidates may zip out for a necessary vote in DC, or to stealthily attend an out-of-state fundraiser, but the focus is always in meeting voters and maintaining visibility.
Greitens has skipped the usual circuit, and instead has made trips to “the border,” Arizona and other places the cornerstone of his campaign.
Greitens recent twitter feed….
· Election fraud from Arizona.
Will It Work?
It seems counter-intuitive to campaign everywhere but Missouri for a Missouri seat, but for Greitens it makes some sense…
· He can largely avoid confrontations and questions concerning the scandals of the past.
· These themes (anti-illegal immigration, election stolen from Trump) are core issues for the Trump Republicans which now make up the largest segment of Missouri Republicans.
· Greitens has over 100,000 twitter followers, and the viral sharing effect of social media means his posts can reach exponentially more people.
· For all the chicken dinners, and baby-kissing retail politics, all statewide candidate rely on bombarding airwaves with advertisements in the final month of campaigning. So, the question is whether this path can bring him a national grassroots fundraising base to fund his campaign.
Independence Eyes More Police Funding
A campaign committee in Independence Missouri has been formed to support a ballot question that would shift funds away from an animal shelter to increase police.
Citizens for More Police was formed earlier this week. It’s in support of Question 2 on the November ballot.
Shall the local use tax currently imposed by the City of Independence, Missouri, which is dedicated to a no-kill animal shelter and funding additional police officers, be amended to allow for funding of all sworn police personnel and equipment? Voting in favor of this question will not result in any tax increase or decrease the current general fund percentage allocation for the police department and the no-kill animal shelter.
The treasurer of the campaign committee is Gary George. He’s a former Independence police chief who is now the executive director of the Independence Police Foundation.
Moon Recalls Veto Session
Branson TriLake News reports on Sen. Mike Moon’s recent talk on “Missouri’s Deep Dark Secrets” in which he recounts the Veto Session. See it here.
· Moon also let the attendees in on some of the behind the scenes intimidation tactics and “dirty tricks” played by leadership in the House and Senate… when he tried to stand on his rights as a legislator, he was the subject of intimidation and negative action by some of the state’s highest Republican leaders.
· Moon relayed a story where Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe took action against him without what he felt was not any legitimate basis for his action… The override went to Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz, who Moon said is nicknamed “Tax Hike Dave.” He said Schatz deliberated the point of order and came back with a piece of paper and read from the paper…
· Moon then appealed the ruling of the chair, and he said Schatz then made a veiled threat. “He said ‘you know, appealing the ruling of the chair comes with consequences.’,”Moon said. “I said ‘like what?’ He said ‘oh, like stripping you of your committees.’ ‘I said OK. Strip me of my committees. I don’t care.’
What It Means
The hard feeling from Veto Session endure. We may be starting next session with a lingering Cold War between Senate leadership and the Conservative Caucus.
New Committees
MO LGBTQ Victory Fund was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Fredrick 'Freddy ' Doss.
Freedom Fives was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Margaret Gaines.
Lobbyists Registrations
Andy Blunt, Chris Moody, Jay Reichard, and Angie Schulte added Sheriff's Retirement System.
David Sweeney added International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials.
Jay Hahn added Accela Inc.
Caroline Hoover added Delaware North.
$5K+ Contributions
HealthPAC - $100,000 from MHA Management Services Corporation.
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $20,000 from CFM Insurance Inc.
American Dream PAC - $20,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.
UFCW Local 655 Elect Club - $5,058 from UFCW Local 655.
Legal Missouri 2022 - $20,000 from Missouri Health & Wellness LLC.
Legal Missouri 2022 - $7,500 from US Canna Missouri LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Kenny Ross, Jeff Harris, and Zach Wyatt.