Missouri Distrcit 7 Political Debate Heats Up

The Springfield Editorial board ran video of an interview with Robin Caranahan with this week with the above well timed counter attack from 7th District Congressional Republican Committee.

Branson Local Kathleen Steele-Danner appointed Interim Missouri Economic Development Director

Kathleen Steele Danner's appointment by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon as Interim Economic Development director was published in a press release by Nixon's office yesterday.

Steele runs a consulting/lobbying firm in Hollister Missouri named Athena Consulting and spearheading local fundraiser efforts for Nixon during his gubernatorial bid. Danner's list of clients includes lobbying for Branson's mayor on behalf of the "League of Theaters".

Ms. Danner-Steele directed Missouri operations for Bill Clinton during his 1992 presidential campaign before an appointment under Clinton as Regional Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to her work with the Clinton's Steele served as a state representative.

Former Senator Steve Danner, Kathleen Steele-Danner's husband, was appointed Missouri Adjutant General by Gov. Nixon in January of this year .

Congressman Kenny Hulshof Debates in Branson Landing Town Square

(Photo shot at the Branson Landing Tuesday July 29th by Amy Page KRZK Kenny Hulshof and Branson Missouri Chief Typist Debate in front of Hilton's proposed Beverage Shack)The hourly burst of methane fireballs with fountains shooting to accompaniment at the Branson Landing started early in honor of Kenny Hulshof who visited Branson Tuesday July, 29 with campaign manager Chris Baker, Rick Huffman and Ross Sommers.

Hulshof has strong support in Branson and was last seen at a press conference with lobbyists and political leaders where Roy Blunt announced his support for Hulshof. The gubernatorial hopeful has made several appearances in Branson this year including Missouri’s Republican Convention at Chateau on the Lake where Senator Kit Bond announced his support in the primaries for the congressman.

Hulshof looks well rested, a rare sight, unseen since Taney County Lincoln Days in Branson last April where he appeared with St. Louis Dispatch reporter Tony Messenger.

This is the final stretch. Hulshof’s already made his play, aquired donations, launched media ads, built websites - primaries are just a week away, he’ s relaxed.

Seasoned politicians and attorneys have a way about them. They can talk in length without answering a direct question, somehow leaving you satisfied. Tuesday at the Branson Landing Hulshof was evasive.

When asked, “Does your team always kneel in prayer before a debate.” Hulshof replies, “I really wouldn’t call it a debate”, referring to the technical format of a televised forum organized by the Springfield News-Leader and KY3 last week.

Missouri HR District 7 Race - Richard Monroe "The Anti-Blunt"

Roy Blunt, Missouri District 7's representative to the US House is one of the most powerful members of the Republican Party. During the past two elections no candidate has truly threatened his position.

Facing light opposition in the Democratic Primary, former Federal Prosecutor Richard Monroe hopes to overcome the curse of Democrats vying for Blunt's seat.

How is he trying to do it? At this point he's an unknown trying to get face recognition by introducing himself to the Democrat's party faithful at gatherings including the rural caucus held in Branson last month.

Meeting in town hall settings and knocking on doors has helped Monroe find his greatest asset, "He's not Roy Blunt". As a result Monroe launched his first Internet ads with the tagline, "The Anti-Blunt.

The ad is slated to run on Missouri Netizen which is currently in beta and launching full force this week.

Sam Page Democrat Lt. Governor Hopeful Visits Branson - Video

Missouri District 82 Rep. Dr. Sam Page visited Branson yesterday to meet with the Branson Veteran's Task force Board of Directors.

According to witnesses present:

Page delivered an informative speech voicing concern over misdiagnoses of traumatic brain injury from soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Page attributes an alarming rise in suicide attempts by soldiers returning from the International War on Terror to government's failure to provide adequate medical treatment .

After the meeting, Page joined me at the Branson Boutique hotel on the Branson Landing. Page refused to eat the Chicago Dog I offered him (for medical reasons I'm certain).

I was too tired to stand but am grateful Page took time to visit Branson.

Lesson of the Day: 120 oz. of Starbucks Coffee does not make up for two nights of lost sleep.

Little attention has been given to Missouri's Lt. Governor race overshadowed by a high profile Republican Gubernatorial Primary, a historic Presidential race and rumors of scandal within the states leadership propagated daily. Republican and Democrat organizations fire accusations as frequently as possible.

Page contends that those who donate to his campaign are misled if they think their endorsement will lend them a stronger hand in legislation and claims the majority of his support is coming from life long friends and doctors he's known for years. Of course, his campaign is just beginning and part of his media strategy is to drum up support and donations which is catch-22. He has to get press to let people know he's running and money to buy ad space - press.

***********
Campaigns cost money and the current system - by government dictate runs similar to the mafia.

Technically - legally, campaign donations can't buy legislation. Lobbyists have to give money, favors, gifts - "no strings attached".

The problem is this system lacks common sense. Try going door to door and asking people for money. When they ask why assert "cause I'm a great guy. If you do, don't quit your day job - you'll starve.

Logically, a lobbyist don't freely offers money. Later, he'll have some information to share with you - information that could affect legislation. The lobbyist isn't buying "legislation" per se - a felony - but rather access. Access is influence - a saleable commodity those who wish to influence government are willing to purchase.

See Press Politics - Institutional Bribery

MIssouri Politicians Battle In Branson - Hulshof - Manroe Friday Night

The Southwest Missouri Republican elite were up in arms when Missouri Governor Matt Blunt refused a re-election bid. Already in the process of staging fund raising events the Taney County Republican faithful switched tracks putting muscle behind Republican gubernatorial Candidate US Rep. Kenny Hulshof.

Leading the charge, Peter Herschend issued Golden Tickets to Branson business owners inviting them to meet Hulshof tomorrow night at the Branson Convention Center.

In response - Leading the Democrat opposition - Peter Tsahiridis a Democrat running for Missouri 62nd District State Rep, is hosting a rally for Richard Manroe just blocks away at the Euro Cafe in Downtown Branson.
Former Federal Prosecutor Richard Monroe will be the Euro Cafe's guest of honor. Manroe is running unchallenged in the Democrat Primary challenging Rep. Roy Blunt for Missouri's 7 District Congressional seat.

Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof Share Both A Line and A President But Not A Senator

 

Senator Kit Bond threw support to Republican Gubernatorial Hopeful US Rep. Kenny Hulshof Saturday during Missouri's Republican Convention.

A representative from Kit Bond's office leaked the information to KY3 beforehand and held a press conference while "Old School" conservatives aka Ron Paul sympathizers played "Parliamentary Procedural Fun" threating tee time at a local golf course for Republican Delegates. Meanwhile, Kenny Hulshof pulled the press into a corridor to enjoy the afterglow with the media - video to come.

John Combest noticeably twittered with joy that the "press had left the buiding".

Immediately afer the press conference Hulshof joined his wife for a cup o' cofee at the Chateau on the Lake Coffeeshop where he shared a line with Republican Challenger Sarah Steelman who was joined by her son in beating Hulshof to a race for a pastry.

Let's get back to KY3. Dave Catonese asked if endorsements are important....

Answer - Obviously since KY3 stuck around long enough to broadcast the news Bond was endorsing Hulshof.

MissouriNet's Steve Walsh was particulary impressed by Steelman's response conjouring the post: How to respond to an endorsement.

Steelman said,

"I've always been the underdog",

unfazed and responding to the news by reminding Senator Kit Bond endorsed Republican Icon Ronald Reagan's opponent during his first presidential bid.

Steelman's comments were first made over a bag of jelly beans - Ronald Reagan's favorite treat. Either Steelman was prepared for the endorsement or really likes jelly beans.

Photo by Branson Edge

MIssouri Repulbican Convention 'Media Featured 5 "

As one of five media delegates assigned to the Missouri Republican Convention floor I opted not to bring my injured laptop. We were given a bullpen behind the seated delegates with heavy security surrounding us ensuring we didn't attempt a run out to the floor.
The floor was tightly controlled with exception made to this blog's author and the Missouri Political Media "Featured 5"

Count Them Out:
David Lieb Associated Press - Lieb became frustrated by the lack of hackable Internet Access at the Ron Paul rally.
Whatever David Lieb writes will be published in the Branson Daily News (BDN) and, Branson Daily Independent (BDI).

Chad Livengood- Springfield News-Leader led with Rod Jetton this morning "Power Struggles and Secrecy". Livengood replaced Tony Messenger who is currently working for the St. Louis Dispatch as a Jefferson City correspondent.

Jason Rosenbam - Columbia Tribune. Until Rosenbaum started publishing video this year -we were number one. Rosenbaum beat me to the punch on video footage; however, we have a full understanding of his information and posting methods which could result in decent technical consulting gig.

St. Louis Dispatch - Jo Mannies joined Steve Walsh with stories from journalism's past including instructions on how she use to evade audio leak from paper thin walls which a competing paper used to steal her reporting mojo. Mannies is feisty with a healthy respect for the finer points of political and philosophical debate. I have a feeling she'll enjoy the video archives we collected this weekend.

Steve Walsh - MissouriNet - Walsh is an old school journalist who issued a lecture about "back in the day" - when you had to crank your typewriter - long before the invention of white out. Walsh's coverage will be purchased by our local radio station promising local news director Steve Willoughby won't pay a dime for digital assets acquired through freelance.
Walsh continued our discussion by posting a thanks to Stephen Marshall for the $2,500 WIFI and kind words for Missouri Republican Party Communications Director Tina Hervey.
***Pssttt Walsh.- In Iowa the Republicans and Democrats provided extensive media services in the Google Lounge stocked with cushy chairs, free beer, wine and vitamin drinks. Both Democrats and Republicans agreed Missouri Beer was best stocking kegs of Bud from ST. Louis and Boulevard Wheat from Kansas City.




Alternate:
John Combest - John Combest was a plant on the Republican Floor. In order to get a seat he apparently pledged himself in marriage to a Republican Delegate (truly dedicated). Combest twittered What I was thinking - NOBODY FROM THE PRESS IS ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR.
Saturday night,after the convention Combest took a tour of my hood. It's haunted by reporters of Missouri's Past.

Missouri Rep Rod Jetton Strikes Back - Village Law

The Video above is with Missouri Rep. Rod Jetton regarding the controversial village law.

Missouri Rep District 62 Dennis Wood - Village Law Fallout (Video)

Missouri Rep. District 62 discusses the emotional response he gave after the 2008 session ended earlier this month.

Branson's Political Tourism Industry

The Republicans are here but the Democrats have been here also and for good reason.

The G-Rated environment is perfect for political fundraising. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt will speak just hours from now joined by Missouri Gubernatorial hopefuls Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulsof.

US District 7 Rep. Roy Blunt will also make an appearance, his third this month.

It's a Republican Party today but Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Jay Nixon pulled a cool $30,000 following a state sponsored show in Downtown Branson last month. Roy Blunt's Democratic challenger, former Federal Prosecutor, Richard Manroe appeared last weekend at the Branson Farmer's Market (which will be Downtown tomorrow at 10 A.M.

Across town, the Republican convention and corresponding Ron Paul Rally will begin as the sun begins setting.

Good weather, beautiful lakes, family entertainment and mostly the money - everything
the Branson area needed to capitalize on Political Tourism this year.

Today - it's outside of the small private gatherings where political bribes fundraising activities commence - now it's showtime.
Upcoming:
Matt Blunt on Immigration - Video
Missouri Senator Jack Goodman on "The Death Penalty Vs. The Death Option"
Missouri Rep. Dennis Wood explains the "tears of Missouri's Village Amendment"

Missouri Senate Ends at 4:00 AM

A long and brutal battle over the village law ensued tonight.

A version of Missouri Senator Goodman's village law repeal concluded todays session at 4:00 AM. Goodman's last words are of hope that Missouri's House of Representatives will pass the modified version
The last day of the session begins in 4 hours.

Governor Matt Blunt has promised to bring the legislature back for a special session for the second year in a row.


After a long night of filibuster we all get to take a nap for the last day of this year's session

Missouri Village Law Repeal approved by House

The Missouri Legislature voted to repeal the controversial village law today allowed groups of citizens to revolt from counties whose laws they don't agree with.

The village amendment was made during a special session of the Missouri Legislature last year and raised a red flag when developer Robert Plaster attempted to create the Village of Table Rock on the day the amendment went into affect.

As detailed through the link above the special session of the Missouri legislature was promoted in response to the collapse of the Minnesota bridge. Within the piece of legislation religous/non-profit organizations were passed the gauntlet regarding social reform being allocated privileges previously reserved for competitive businesses. Churches can now bid for contracts with the state.

Branson area elected legislatures took the Missouri Political Stage with Dennis Wood being absent from the floor at the request of Republican leadership. Wood accused Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton of sliding the amendment into the economic stimulus bill last year.

Missouri Senator Jack Goodman took the stage in the Missouri Senate filibustering until the House passed the repeal of the village law as the Missouri Legislature rushes to complete the end of this year's session. Several actions were made to keep the bill pork free as legislatures packed the two page proposal to a couple hundred.

In commitee the bill was divided into separate parts to avoid killing the intent of Goodman's bill before it ever hit the floor.

Plaster;s friend, Jetton, played the last man standing as one of six Missouri Reps to fight village law repeal.

Missouri Governors Race - Campaign Finance

Reading the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission sentencing guidelines and the Recommended Sentencing Biennial Report as required by Section 558.019.6 RSMo.

Earlier this year, on Branson Agent, Senator Matt Bartle published his review of the report on Missouri's Department of Corrections boasting decreased recidivism due to increased application of Shock Time - short prison sentences for crimes that would ordinarily be either longer or result in probation for the offender.

INTERESTING QUESTION:
Why did the legislature repeal bribery and corruption laws?

Bribery of a Public Servant - 576.010, RSMo. (Repealed)

Acceding to corruption by a public servant -576.020, RSMo. (Repealed)

Candidates are addressing the issue of financing as Missouri Ethics Commission reports trickled in earlier this month. Zooming into the Missouri Governor's race, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon (D) showed the greatest financial prowess followed by Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman (R).

US Rep. Kenny Hulshof figured it was time to reform campaign financing as Steelman weighted the scales with a demonstration of her personal fiscal capacity loaning herself a half million dollars:

Q1 2008 Missouri Ethics Commission
* Jay Nixon (D) - $1.4 million raised, $2.7 million banked
* Sarah Steelman (R) - $655K raised, $500K borrowed, $1.4M banked
* Ken Hulshof (R) - $900K raised, $731K banked

Missouri's 24th State - Jim Durbin

The 24th State is a political blog out of Northern Missouri, owned by Jim Durbin. His blog is often cited in the Kansas City Star's Political Intelligence services in addition to the St. Louis Dispatch.

Most people don't have time to read through several hundred websites a day. As for me, I monitor and manage a few political newswire services which help me aggregate hundreds of stories in one place. This also allows me a heads up on media intelligence and access to the latest cutting edge tools.

To me, the horse race is the least interesting part of the game. For instance, in the past Branson election there really wasn't a lot of surprises in the vote count. Ward III had a higher spread than I expected and Ward II had a much lower spread than I expected. What's interesting, is the ideas that come out of the process.

Not to be "cliche" but outside of empty modifiers, there aren't a lot of conservative voices that cover Missouri politics. The 24th State blog fills that gap.

Problem: The blog owner, Jim Durban takes issue with the Missouri BlogNet Newswire which I help manage. A summary of his work is being indexed which links to the site. Anyway, the 24th State's feisty editorials are on my list and thus the wire service's owner is being challenged based on the revenue model.

Blog NetNews Founder owner, Dave Mastio responds,
1) We've had a couple states where liberals have tried to withdraw as a group for no reason other than I am a conservative who worked for Bush. The whole concept of BNN is to be neutral ground and I have worked very hard to make it that way. I am not going to let people destry a BNN state section because of my biography. (incidently, many of BNN's state editors are libs -- ohio, virginia, Texas, Minn., Mich etc ... just so I have people involved who will protect me from my biases.)

2) We've had important blogs try to withdraw because they don't like how people rated them or that they had a bad score in the weekly rankings. BNN has more things like this coming out and we need to collect the feeds and crawl the sites to collect the data -- and they're only meaningful if we cover all of the cream of the crop state and local public affairs blogs.

3) Then there is the journalistic imperitive (which I ultimately think serves all bloggers) and that is giving an accurate answer to the question -- what is going on in this blogosphere right now? It can't be just the blogs willing to be monitored. This also serves the reader by giving them more useful information and easier access to a wider array of blogs -- the better people's experience in getting good things out of the blogosphere, the more they will read and click and subscribe to rss feeds and listen to what bloggers have to say.

Anyway, I am willing to take the heat over that decision -- I happily let people criticize it over BNN because I know people of good will and who may be smarter and more experienced than me may disagree."

Jay Nixon in Branson For Fundraiser

Democrats are an increasing political animal in the Branson area. A fundraiser-mixer for Jay Nixon is beggining South of Branson at Murder Rock.

Nixon reportedly raised $30,000 in the Branson area and is meeting with local contributers. In a recent Ramussen poll, Nixon is the frontrunner in the race to become Missouri's Next Governor.

In the poll, both Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steeman and US Rep Kenny Huslshof (R) trail Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon in the governor's race:

""The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Missouri voters found Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon continuing to lead two Republican candidates in the race for the state’s next governor.

Nixon leads State Treasurer Sarah Steelman 46% to 39% and Congressman Kenny Hulshof 48% to 37%. Nixon’s lead over Steelman has narrowed somewhat since last month, from eleven points to seven points. The gap between Nixon and Hulshof has decreased from eighteen points to eleven points this month.

Nixon does well among women in both match-ups. The Attorney General has a twenty-two point lead over Steelman and a twenty-one point lead over Hulshof among women voters. Nixon ties Hulshof among men but trails Steelman by eight points.

Among unaffiliated voters, Nixon leads Hulshof 45% to 28% and Steelman 43% to 31%. Nixon also has strong leads over both candidates among voters between the ages of 18 and 39.

Nixon is viewed favorably by 54% and unfavorably by 34%. Hulshof earns positive reviews from 40% and negative feedback from 37%. Steelman’s numbers are 45% favorable and 33% unfavorable.

Republican Governor Matt Blunt, who recently decided against seeking re-election, earns good or excellent ratings from 42% of Missouri voters. Thirty-percent (30%) say he is doing a poor job"

Missouri Representatives tells Oil Executives "Your approval rating is lower than ours, and that means you're down low"

US Oil executives were quizzed by the House of Representatives yesterday. During the hearing Cleaver's response was cited in an AP article:

The up cycle has been going on too long, suggested Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo. "The anger level is rising significantly."

Alluding to the fact that Congress often doesn't rate very high in opinion polls, Cleaver told the executives: "Your approval rating is lower than ours, and that means you're down low."

Roy Blunt Speaks In Branson - Presidential Election (Video)

The short clip posted above is of District 7 Rep. Roy Blunt's speech during Lincoln Days. Blunt takes a stab at the press while commenting on the uncertainty of the presidential election.

Senator Jack Goodman (R) 29 Endorses Gibson for Attorney General at Lincoln Days in Branson

Missouri Senator Jack Goodman is running unchallenged in both the primaries and the general election for Missouri's 29th Senate seat. Incumbent Goodman stated, "He's tried both ways and likes running this way much better." Last week, Kathy Hilliard who is challenging Maynard Wallace as the Democratic candidate for Missouri House 143rd \ cited Goodman's potential to beat any potential democratic challenger in a "fundrace" as the reason Democrats are handing the seat to the Republicans.

Missing in action was Republican Attorney General candidate Mike Gibbons who announced his intentions on running for the office in Branson at last years Lincoln Days. Gibbons is currently recovering from treatment for prostate cancer and has remained quiet as Democratic candidates take swipes at each other during a tight race for the Attorney General spot currently held by Democrat Jay Nixon.

Missouri Rep. Jeff Harris and Missouri Sen. Chris Koster's campaigns have shown media prowess regularly delivering attacks that have received press statewide. Koster switched from the Democratic to Republican party last year before launching his campaign, a fact Harris uses in campaign messages on a regular basis.

Goodman took his podium time at Lincoln days to endorse Gibbons who is running on a five point platform promising to:

1. Work with local law enforcement and local prosecutors to capture and convict criminals

2. Work to reduce "big government spending" so increased funds can be allocated towards local law enforcement

3, Enforce Illegal Immigration Laws

4. Fight for consumer rights

5. Eliminating conflicts of interest by refusing to accept campaign contributions from anyone the office is investigation or prosecuting.

Missouri's Republican Gubernatorial Primaries Playout in Branson

After Governor Matt Blunt declined to run for another term as Governor, three candidates emerged hoping to gain Missouri's Gubernatorial nomination. The two remaining candidates addressed Taney County Republicans this weekend to gain support.

Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman and 9th District Rep. Kenny Hulshof stumped for support of Branson area Republicans at Taney County's annual Lincoln Days.

Though Democratic numbers are rising, Taney County is generally viewed as the conservative heart of the bellwether state. Both candidates praised Southwest Missouri for tilting the scares and launching a conservative revolution in Jefferson City marked with a Republican Governor and State Legislature - a trend Republicans hope will continue.

Steelman spoke to the social conservative base preaching conservative values and focusing on three wedge issues, monitoring financial contributions to unfriendly nations, abortion and traditional marriage.
Steelman gained national recognition last year for her revaltion that funds from Missouri's citizenry were going to companies supporting the "Axis of Evil". Her platform for monitoring terrorist funding was adopted by several other states. Steelman claimed her candidacy was about principle quoting a statement her son made regarding his baseball team,

"Some of my team members are more interesting in scoring than winning the game"

Hulsof preached party unity echoing Steelman's statements regarding the conservative stronghold Southwest Missouri is known for. Hulshof's monologue focused on party unity closing with a statement from Republican Icon Ronald Reagan (video to follow)
The congressman said,

"I hope the next Governor of Missouri is in this room."

Hulshof appealed to the local base verbally honoring 38th Circuit Judge Mark Orr who Hulshof worked with as a prosecuting attorney.

Missouri's Democratic nominee Jay Nixon has a considerable war chest and promises a well funded, contentious and difficult battle for his Republican challenger. Hulshof is generally viewed as the likely candidate with longstanding political ties and a proven ability to raise funds. Steelman is strengthened by her intimacy with the states finance skills, professed values that coincide with the conservative base and the fact she's a woman during a time when the social climate is focused heavily on identity politics.

With a contender as strong as Nixon, Republicans will have to weigh whether a hard fought primary could wane the possibility of a victory in November.