MOScout Daily Update: Scharf Argues Trump Gag Today - Bailey Eyes Elon Controversy - Rex Watch - Shrugging at Sports Betting Poll and more...

Looks like a light week ahead.  I was already getting pinged with auto out-of-office replies on Friday.  Bravo to you if you’re still at your desk this Monday!

Scharf Before DC Circuit Court

Will Scharf, candidate for attorney general, along with John Sauer will be arguing for Team Trump this morning in the United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit.  They’ll be before Judges Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard, and Bradley Garcia.

The arguments in USA v. Donald Trump deal with the gag order imposed on the former president. Read an NPR story about that order here.

Arguments are scheduled for 8:30AM You can listen in here.  Each side gets 20 minutes.

·       Why It Matters: Scharf’s service for Trump is expected to give him the inside track for an endorsement in the AG’s race next year.  Though many have pointed out that Trump has a pattern of splitting with allies depending on his mood.

Bailey to Look Into Musk Complaint?

On Twitter Attorney General Andrew Bailey said that his “team is looking into [reports that Media Matters manipulated tweets in their report of ads being placed next to hate tweets].”

The response came after Trump advisor Stephen Miller alleged that it amounted to “civil and criminal violation,” and called on the “2 dozen+ conservative state Attorneys General, and X owner Elon Musk, showed interest.  

Meanwhile

Bailey, like his predecessor Eric Schmitt, has spastically filed suit, like a young puppy chasing after every ball that rolls by.

And yet – are the basics being ignored?

·       His office is a year behind on filling sunshine requests.  It’s a practice which yield him some political advantage in that no one can find out anything his office is doing until at least after the elections, but it’s no way to run a government.

·       The KCStar reported that his “office quietly scrubbed from its website an online form that allowed residents to file complaints of public corruption against elected officials.”

Shrugging at MOScout Poll

Last weekend’s MOScout poll on potential initiative petitions showed deep weakness for proponents of sports betting.  But those familiar with the drafting of the sports gaming initiative responded with a yawn.  They’re not worried. A survey conducted during the drafting process showed Missouri voters would overwhelmingly support an initiative for legalizing sports betting and dedicating the revenue to Missouri education with 63% saying they would support an initiative and 28% opposed with the remainder undecided.

“In contrast to a generic sports gaming question, this language was closer to what a voter would actually see on the ballot come next November.”

We’ll see….

Rex Watch: Sinquefield Cup Begins

In the last two months Rex Sinquefield has doled out large checks to the PACs of many Missouri politicians, including… Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Reps. Phil Christofanelli, Chris Dinkins, Aaron McMullen, Jon Patterson, Dean Plocher, and Cody Smith, Sens. Karla Eslinger, Denny Hoskins, Andrew Koenig, Tony Luetkemeyer, Cindy O’Laughlin, Holly Rehder, Caleb Rowden, and Curtis Trent.

If you didn’t make the list, one observer thinks now is not the time to pitch the Rexster. He’ll be “riveted like a laser on his greatest passion: Chess, and hosting The Sinquefield Cup tournament at the Rex-endowed St. Louis Chess Club.”

·       Dotesports notes “The event takes place between Nov. 21 and Nov. 30, with a rest day on Nov. 26. Should the Grand Chess Tour standings require a playoff (an unlikely possibility this year), they will take place on Dec. 1.”

Lobbyists Registrations

Aaron Baker and Hannah Sutton Beers added Delta Dental of Missouri.

Brent Stewart added Stewart Consulting, Pollock Consulting LLC, Versa Governmental Strategies LLC, and Missouri Energy Development Association.

Zach Pollock added Stewart Consulting.

Dustin Backes deleted Missouri Soybean Association.

$5K+ Contributions

Liberty and Justice PAC (pro- Bailey) - $10,000 from Emery Sapp & Sons Inc.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Dan Houx, Matt Blunt, Myron Neth, Sharon Pace, and Michael Vogt.