Roy Blunt Deliver's Mesage of "Good Southern Missouri Common Sense" to Washington

Roy Blunt returned to Washington today for a lame duck session as Majority Whip. In a speech sponsored by conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation Roy outlines the direction of conservatism.

Here's the rundown....

Blunt began with a metaphor about a golf course built 100 years ago in India. After the golf course became overrun with monkeys who picked up the balls and randomlythrough them a new rule was developed.

""You have to play the ball where the monkey throws it...Not a bad rule for life".
"
""Success has a thousand father's failure an orphan"
"
What Happened on Tuesday...according to some...
1. A repudiation of Conservatism
2. The Foley Factor
3. Referendum on the War in Iraq
4. Rebuke to One Party Rule
5. Punishment by the faithful for conservatives not staying absolutely true to their principals.

"In reality there was no single explanation for the loss of our majorities ....but as conservatives we should take this opportunity to reflect on how we govern, honestly assess our shortcomings and propose the best way to move forward."

"In politics just as there are not permanent victories there are no permanent defeats."

"78,000 votes would have changed the outcome... our ideas didn't get beat we did"

We need to put values above politics....holding onto or gaining political power should never come before our obligation to be worthy of people's trust"

I use to say I'm from the part of Missouri that was so conservative that we believe the Federal Government should defend the Country and deliver the mail...truth is we're not quite as committed to that mail delivery thing as we use to be..."

The general theme of Blunt's message was principle centered leadership and being true to beliefs. It's worth a hear....

Blunt's Speech

Bob Moser of The Nation Magazine visits Branson Researching Southern Politics

  I had a chance to sit down with Bob yesterday at Music City Center Starbucks in Branson.
All of us - any of us following the campaign results had little sleep the night before. Starbucks has the highest ratio of coffee grounds to water which is an important fact for anyone in desperate need of caffeine. The Starbucks in Branson (a second one will be built shortly near the landing) has the most consistent free wi-fi connection in Branson.
Though Bob works in New York his expertise, editorial focus and heritage is far from the "Yankee" persuasion. He's currently working on a book about Southern Politics and got me up to speed on some of the interesting twists in Mid-Term Southern State elections.
It's interesting, Missouri's Senate race took the national spotlight as one of the most cutthroat campaigns in the nation and few will remember that at one point the Talent vs. McCaskill battle was up until the final days a pinnacle of campaign messaging moderation. To illustrate this point to Bob I referred to a KY3 post by David Cantonese, "And then it Got Nasty". Up until October Missouri was setting a great example for the Nation on political ethics...the shift in strategy from both candidates was Missouri's October Surprise history will forget.
Bob noted an uncomfortable air among those interviewed while conducting poll exit research. I think this was a hard election on all of us and hope Bob leaves back to the city with some good examples of Branson's Southern Hospitality to report on.
I did puck up a great piece of intel from Bob - Democrats party harder. The Republican party gathering was sprinkled with gloom - even thought there were some major victories. The Democrats on the other hand were a bit more lively partying with a packed house on the other side of town.
Bob - best wishes on your continued success and book release! 

Missouri's Message to Elected Officials "We're Not Gonna Take It"

As the President entered the stage last week in Springfield the Republican theme song, "We're Not Gonna Take It” blared over the speakers.

Perhaps, yesterday, voters played the song back. There are a number of things to note about as Missouri citizens responded with record turnout for a midterm election. In general, I think it's important to state that the citizens of Missouri voted conservatively.

Stem Cell Research - Passed by a "conservative" margin
Taxes - Tobacco Tax rejected by a large margin - Veteran Tax Exempt Status approved

Still, our values are less defined by a party logo than they are by our conscience and values. Local government organizations stood against minimum wage increases which the voters approved by large margins (expect Tony Messenger of the Springfield News-Leader to address this in tomorrow’s editorial). Andrew Cline MSU Journalism professor begged the question a few weeks ago, "Isn't an honest days pay - the ability for the working man to support his family through hard work a Republican value?" Voters overwhelmingly approved a minimum wage increase.

Libertarian voting was high peaking at 4.1% of voters in the Taney County 7th District

In agreement throughout the state - the greatest landslide victory was the fight against corruption. Cheat the citizen's - dishonor public office and we will take away your pension. Corruption – “We're not gonna take it anymore"

Springfield Bloggers Real Time Election Blogging

Taney and Stone County Election Results

Stone
U.S. Senator Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Talent, Jim REP 7,291 58.7%
McCaskill, Claire DEM 4,525 36.4%
Gilmour, Frank LIB 426 3.4%
Lewis, Lydia PRG 174 1.4%
Total Votes 12,416
Taney County Chooses Talent
McCaskill Announced Victor
State Auditor Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Thomas, Sandra REP 6,861 56.6%
Montee, Susan DEM 4,775 39.4%
Baum, Charles W. LIB 352 2.9%
Bunker, Terry PRG 129 1.1%
Total Votes 12,117
Taney County Chooses Sandra Thomas
Susan Montee Victor
U.S. Representative - District 7 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Blunt, Roy REP 8,535 69.2%
Truman, Jack DEM 3,444 27.9%
Craig, Kevin LIB 363 2.9%
Total Votes 12,342
Taney County Chooses Roy Blunt
Blunt Victor


State Representative - District 62 Precincts Reporting 11 of 11
Wood, Dennis F. REP 5,612 68.8%
Tuia, Sae DEM 2,548 31.2%
Total Votes 8,160

State Representative - District 68 Precincts Reporting 1 of 1
Sater, David REP 48 53.3%
Wells, Adam DEM 42 46.7%
Total Votes 90

State Representative - District 141 Precincts Reporting 9 of 9
Wasson, Jay REP 2,233 71.0%
Blevins, Mark S. DEM 912 29.0%
Total Votes 3,145

State Representative - District 143 Precincts Reporting 2 of 2
Wallace, Maynard REP 517 62.6% % Yes Votes Graph
Hilliard, Cathy DEM 309 37.4% % Yes Votes Graph
Total Votes 826

Circuit Judge - Circuit 39 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Wiley, Robert S. REP 10,213 100.0% % Yes Votes Graph
Total Votes 10,213

Nonpartisan Judges - Missouri Supreme Court Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Price, William Ray Yes 8,109 76.7%
No 2,463 23.3%
Total Votes 10,572
Russell, Mary Rhodes Yes 8,026 76.2%
No 2,500 23.8%
Total Votes 10,526
Limbaugh, Jr., Stephen N. Yes 8,040 76.3%
No 2,503 23.7%
Total Votes 10,543

Nonpartisan Judges - Court of Appeals - Southern District Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Garrison, Phillip R. Yes 8,220 78.6%
No 2,237 21.4%
Total Votes 10,457
Bates, Jeffrey W. Yes 8,018 76.9%
No 2,411 23.1%
Total Votes 10,429

Constitutional Amendment No. 2 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Stem Cell Initiative Yes 5,881 47.2%
No 6,584 52.8%
Total Votes 12,465
Taney County Votes NO Missouri Votes Yes
Constitutional Amendment No. 3 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Tobacco Tax Yes 5,867 47.2%
No 6,554 52.8%
Total Votes 12,421
Taney Votes No - Missouri Votes No
Constitutional Amendment No. 6 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Tax Exemption for Veterans Organizations Yes 7,797 64.9%
No 4,224 35.1%
Total Votes 12,021

Constitutional Amendment No. 7 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Elected Officials Compensation Pensions Yes 11,001 90.6%
No 1,141 9.4%
Total Votes 12,142

Proposition B - 2006 Precincts Reporting 22 of 22
Raising Minimum Wage Yes 9,499 76.7%
No 2,885 23.3%
Total Votes 12,384

TANEY
Office Candidate Party Votes
U.S. Senator Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Talent, Jim REP 9,019 60.6%
McCaskill, Claire DEM 5,174 34.8%
Gilmour, Frank LIB 502 3.4%
Lewis, Lydia PRG 193 1.3%
Total Votes 14,888

State Auditor Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Thomas, Sandra REP 8,532 58.9%
Montee, Susan DEM 5,398 37.3%
Baum, Charles W. LIB 397 2.7%
Bunker, Terry PRG 164 1.1%
Total Votes 14,491

U.S. Representative - District 7 Precincts Reporting 15 of 15
Blunt, Roy REP 7,614 71.6%
Truman, Jack DEM 2,708 25.4%
Craig, Kevin LIB 319 3.0%
Total Votes 10,641

U.S. Representative - District 8 Precincts Reporting 12 of 12
Emerson, Jo Ann REP 2,816 68.9%
Hambacker, Veronica J. DEM 1,124 27.5%
McCullough, Branden C. LIB 145 3.5%
Total Votes 4,085

State Representative - District 62 Precincts Reporting 7 of 7
Wood, Dennis F. REP 4,085 73.7%
Tuia, Sae DEM 1,459 26.3%
Total Votes 5,544

State Representative - District 142 Precincts Reporting 6 of 6
Weter, Raymond (Ray) REP 1,443 100.0%
Total Votes 1,443

State Representative - District 143 Precincts Reporting 17 of 17
Wallace, Maynard REP 4,825 66.4%
Hilliard, Cathy DEM 2,437 33.6%
Total Votes 7,262

Circuit Judge - Circuit 38 Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Orr, Mark REP 12,051 100.0% % Yes Votes Graph
Total Votes 12,051

Nonpartisan Judges - Missouri Supreme Court Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Price, William Ray Yes 9,621 76.6% % Yes Votes Graph
No 2,932 23.4% % No Votes Graph
Total Votes 12,553
Russell, Mary Rhodes Yes 9,305 74.5% % Yes Votes Graph
No 3,184 25.5% % No Votes Graph
Total Votes 12,489
Limbaugh, Jr., Stephen N. Yes 9,587 76.6% % Yes Votes Graph
No 2,928 23.4% % No Votes Graph
Total Votes 12,515

Nonpartisan Judges - Court of Appeals - Southern District Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Garrison, Phillip R. Yes 9,656 78.2%
No 2,695 21.8
Total Votes 12,351
Bates, Jeffrey W. Yes 9,201 74.7%
No 3,118 25.3%
Total Votes 12,319

Constitutional Amendment No. 2 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Stem Cell Initiative Yes 6,469 43.3%
No 8,454 56.7%
Total Votes 14,923

Constitutional Amendment No. 3 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Tobacco Tax Yes 7,252 48.9%
No 7,570 51.1%
Total Votes 14,822

Constitutional Amendment No. 6 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Tax Exemption for Veterans Organizations Yes 9,651 67.5%
No 4,638 32.5%
Total Votes 14,289

Constitutional Amendment No. 7 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Elected Officials Compensation Pensions Yes 12,834 89.0%
No 1,584 11.0%
Total Votes 14,418

Proposition B - 2006 Precincts Reporting 24 of 24
Raising Minimum Wage Yes 11,482 77.8%
No 3,275 22.2%
Total Votes 14,757

Stem Cell

We're down to the wire and McCaskill takes the lead inching in front of Talent by a small margin.

Talent, Jim REP 842,251 47.7%
McCaskill, Claire DEM 867,683 49.1%
Gilmour, Frank LIB 41,716 2.4%
Lewis, Lydia PRG 15,726 .9%

Jasper County ran out of ballots earlier today and haven't reported yet but the remaining precincts are urban and projected to go McCaskill's way - (by a small margin).


State Auditor Precincts Reporting 3178 of 3734
Thomas, Sandra REP 743,132 43.4%
Montee, Susan DEM 903,557 52.7%
Baum, Charles W. LIB 48,260 2.8%
Bunker, Terry PRG 18,030 1.1%

Our State Representation:
U.S. Representative - District 7 Precincts Reporting 227 of 290
Blunt, Roy REP 129,944 65.8%
Truman, Jack DEM 61,104 31.0%
Craig, Kevin LIB 6,345 3.2%


On the Ammendments
Constitutional Amendment No. 2 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 3078 of 3734
Stem Cell Initiative Yes 856,865 50.1%
No 853,218 49.9%
Total Votes 1,710,083
Constitutional Amendment No. 3 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 3078 of 3734
Tobacco Tax Yes 809,036 47.3%
No 900,959 52.7%
Total Votes 1,709,995
Constitutional Amendment No. 6 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 3078 of 3734
Tax Exemption for Veterans Organizations Yes 1,026,582 62.9%
No 606,231 37.1%
Total Votes 1,632,813
Constitutional Amendment No. 7 - 2006 Precincts Reporting 3078 of 3734
Elected Officials Compensation Pensions Yes 1,391,072 84.3%
No 259,892 15.7%
Total Votes 1,650,964
Proposition B - 2006 Precincts Reporting 3078 of 3734
Raising Minimum Wage Yes 1,274,233 75.2%
No 419,261 24.8%
Total Votes 1,693,494

To sum it up...
No Tobacco Tax
Stem Cell - (Looks like it will pass)
Minimum wage - Landslide Win
Elected Officials will now fail to get pensions if they are found guilty of a crime in office....

Late Night Election Reporting

Camp Talent showed little confidence in a win at this point and though Talent remains in the lead with only 900 of 3746 reporting. I just got back from Republican Party headquarters at the Oasis Convention center in Springfield. The Republican mood is bittersweet - major area wins for the Republicans in Springfield ... Aunt Norma Champion is victor over Doug Harpool who ran an impressive campaign with some innovations that will change the face of Missouri Elections forever.

Prosecuting Attorney for Greene County had some words to say about the press...Psssst you're not doing your job and democracy as we know it is threatened. He elaborated in a video interview I'll be posting later. Point is - Newspapers are lazy and are willing to print verbatim whatever the prosecution attorneys are willing to send out. "Doesn't that work to your advantage?" It doesn't work to the people's advantantage a point he drives home as the biggest problem with our legal system today.....

I'm with Professor Cline and Springfield News-leader's Tony Messenger ....we're the last men standing as far as live election blogging goes.