MOScout Daily Update: Conservative Caucus Disbands, What It Means - HRCC Checks - Schmitt Radio Ad - Latest Pro-Wood Ad and more....

Conservative Caucus Disbands

The Conservative Caucus announced that it’s going to disband.  Emily Mann tweeted the statement.  See it here.  They said that they are disbanding in order to help form a “new coalition of leadership” for the body.

See Senate Floor Leader Caleb Rowden’s response here.

In talking to lobbyists, the news was met with deep skepticism that the fundamental rifts within the Senate body would be repaired by this.  It doesn’t appear to change the calculus for leadership races or the prognosis for another difficult session.

·       It’s an attempt to broaden their appeal for leadership races. It won’t work.

·       They think everyone is an idiot. It’s obviously a way to appear less threatening heading into leadership races. The only question that matters is will they commit to not go after any Republicans during session on social media?  The minute that happens we are back to chaos and division.

·       This is a not going to change the fact that there’s still no trust amongst the Republican caucus

·       If they are really serious, they would fire Jim Lembke and dissolve the 100 PAC.

·       Actions speak louder than words…  anyone can issue a press release, let’s see if actions follow that indicate they are unifying as a party because you don’t have to have a formal designation to be an obstructionist.

And

A few wondered if this move was a reaction to internal conflicts within the Conservative Caucus – new senators who took their donations but wouldn’t commit to being 100% on-board, incumbent members who wanted to move in a different direction.

HRCC Checks

It’s a long list in the large contributions this morning.  Republican House members traditionally present their tribute to the House Republican Campaign Committee at their summer caucus, establishing a kind of tribal pecking order.  Looks like over $450K in just the checks listed.

At the top is Speaker-elect Dean Plocher.  His PAC contributed a total of $75K to the caucus.  Coming in second is Rep. Doug Richey, who has started a very early campaign to succeed Plocher.  Richey’s check for $42K is notable because on his 8-Day Report, his committee only had $46K on-hand.  But putting a big chuck of it into HRCC makes a statement about his commitment.

·       I always wonder if there are hidden messages in some of the checks.  Does Rep. Brenda Shields’ $5,150 mean that she’s a Van Halen fan, or a quiet cry for help?

Schmitt Radio Ad

Team Schmitt released their first radio ad.  It’s targeted at rural Missourians, taking on Joe Biden for the economic woes farmers face – and of course tying Democrat Trudy Valentine to the current Democratic president.  Listen to it here.

Looks like a standard whack for the tee – straight down the fairway.  In a Republican state, just hit your opponent for being a Democrat.  Hard to go wrong there.

Wood Ad

The latest pro-John Wood ad from Jack Danforth doesn’t break new ground.  It’s just a variation on previous ads that Danforth has produced.  He’s somberly intoning on the degradation of politics and promising that Wood will lead the way to a more pleasant civic environment.

See it here.

What It Means

Team Valentine’s path to DC would be greatly helped if Wood was able to siphon off Republican votes from Eric Schmitt.  So far, there’s no indication that the Wood campaign will have that impact.  These ads are dull and uninspired.  We’re looking at Wood coming in around 5% probably taking equally from Republicans and Democrats.

$5K+ Contributions

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $50,000 from Missouri United (pro-Plocher PAC).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $25,000 from Missouri United.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $42,000 from Citizens to Elect Doug Richey.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Anheuser Busch Companies.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from Charter Communications.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $20,000 from Dealers Interested in Government.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $19,300 from Dirk Deaton for Missouri .

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $18,900 from Missourians for Bishop Davidson House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $16,325 from Sharpe for Rep.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Committee to Elect Houx.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from CLCP PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $14,450 from Alex Riley for State Representative.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $12,600 from Rudolph Veit.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,900 from Committee to Elect Ben Baker.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,750 from Citizens to Elect Kurtis Gregory.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,600 from Henderson for Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Bruce Sassman Election Committee.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Citizens for Owen.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,800 from Friends of Hannah Kelly.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,000 from Travis Smith for State Rep.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $8,800 from Haffner for Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $8,700 from Committee to Elect Jamie Burger.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $8,000 from Friends for Chris Dodson Dinkins.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,500 from MOSFA PAC INC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,500 from Citizens for Atchison.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,650 from Friends for Francis.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,650 from Citizens for Falkner.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,150 from Committee to Elect Bob Bromley.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,150 from Missourians for Shields.

HealthPAC - $9,500 from SWMO Healthcare Committee.

Health Care Leadership Committee - $10,000 from Richard Leikweg.

Gannon For Jefferson County - $7,500 from Jefferson County Conservatives PAC.

Believe in Life and Liberty - BILL PAC - $17,600 from Conservative Justice PAC LLC.

Believe in Life and Liberty - BILL PAC - $8,000 from Missouri AG PAC.

Committee to Elect Jay Harms - $7,500 from Gerard Harms.

Protect Missouri Freedom - $25,000 from United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

Roten For Commissioner - $6,840 from Ken Roten.

Sharpe For Rep - $20,000 from Greg Sharpe.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays Minority Leader Crystal Quade, Rep. Rudy Veit, Randy Wright, and Sue Meredith.