Twas The Night Before: Lights . . . Camera . . .

DEBATE REHEARSAL

KY3 Anchor Marie Saavedra played Steelman

John Stinson from KY3 Promotions played Hulshof

Resemblances are uncanny aren't they?

1-hour Debate Test Drive @ KY3

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Obama to Open Ozarks Offices

MARSHFIELD & ROLLA TO GET OFFICES

Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Missouri will open offices in Rolla and Marshfield this Saturday in order to show "its commitment to rural Missouri."

"Obama’s Missouri Campaign for Change has a strong commitment to rural Missouri, placing offices where no other presidential candidate, Democrat or Republican, has had a presence before," reads a release from the Missouri Democratic Party.

Union and Poplar Bluff will also celebrate office openings on Saturday. Additional offices slated for the suburban and urban areas of Missouri will open in the coming weeks.

Following the office openings, on Sunday, July 27, volunteers will head out into their communities to knock on doors and talk to neighbors about Obama's policies.

Steelman-Hulshof Round 1

THE A.P. LEDE OUT OF G.O.P. RADIO DEBATE IN ST. LOUIS READS . .

Missouri's Republican gubernatorial candidates defend cuts to the state Medicaid system during a radio debate in St. Louis.

Congressman Kenny Hulshof and Treasurer Sarah Steelman both criticized a proposal Tuesday from Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon to reverse the 2005 Medicaid cuts enacted by Gov. Matt Blunt.

Hulshof and Steelman say it can't be done without raising taxes. But Nixon says his health care plan would spend $265 million of state funds and about $700 million of federal money without raising taxes.

During a debate on radio station KMOX, Steelman and Hulshof both cast themselves as best positioned to run against Nixon in the November gubernatorial election. The primary is Aug. 5.

ALSO: Read Messenger's Take HERE

“It’s easy to mislead voters and unfortunately that’s all Miss Steelman has to offer,” Hulshof said.

“I’m a little rough around the edges,” she said. “He’s a smooth talker.”

Club For Growth Weighs In on Hulshof Spending

The executive director of the Washington-based Club for Growth said that Congressman Kenny Hulshof has one of the worst spending records among Republicans in Congress.

In an interview with the KY3 Political Notebook Tuesday, Club for Growth Executive Director David Keating explained why his group's Congressional spending rankings are relevant in a race for Governor.

The Notebook contacted Keating to find out more about Hulshof's 22 percent Club for Growth ranking, used in a political ad by rival Sarah Steelman.

Keating explained that the score was based on 50 earmark votes in 2007 the Club dubbed "wasteful." He said Hulshof only voted to cut 11 of those projects. "Hulshof's record on pork-barrel spending is pretty bad. Certainly it's one of the worst among the Republicans," Keating said.

He noted that while Hulshof scored a 22% ranking in 2007, 58 Congressman scored over 80%.

When I asked Keating why Congressmen in Washington vote for such pet projects like the Maine Lobster Institute and the San Francisco Urban Center, he explained it this way:

"Basically it's I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine. It's code on Capitol Hill. You have to vote for these things in other districts, to get anything in your own district," said Keating.

Keating said his group has not taken sides in the Hulshof-Steelman primary but said that Hulshof is wrong to imply his spending record isn't relevant in a race for Governor.

"It's about are they going to treat my tax dollars if it's my money? I'd like to see an attitude of spending every dollar carefully, and a lot of people are getting disgusted by it. I mean, the Maine Lobster Institute? How on earth is that a national priority,?" Keating said.

When asked for an example of how spending has impacted another Governor in the country, Keating pointed to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. "He's a Governor that took a really hard line on pork, and it gave him a really rocky ride with his legislature. (In June, Sanford accused his state legislature of breaking the law for passing a budget they knew was not balanced.) But he started to change the culture and the Republican Party there. He's made a lot of progress. It's not easy, but he's very popular with the voters now," Keating explained.

"It comes down to, will you negotiate a really hard line on spending? Sometimes you got to compromise, but voters should know how big of a push over are you," Keating said.

Face-Off

The candidates for Greene County Sheriff debate at a League of Women Voters Forum at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Center on South Campbell

All 3 Republicans and the lone Democrat are expected to attend

***DEVELOPING . . . For KY3 News @ 10

Nixon Pledges to Restore Benefits to 389,811

A.G. PLANS TO RESTORE MEDICAID COVERAGE TO EVERY MISSOURIAN WHO LOST IT IN '05

Earlier: MFH Releases Study detailing the impact of the uninsured

Mo. Budget Project: Nixon Steps in the Right Direction

State G.O.P: Where was Nixon during Holden's cuts?

State DEMS: The only healthcare Hulshof and Steelman have talked about involves Viagra

Democratic candidate for Governor Jay Nixon pledged Tuesday to restore medical coverage to 389,811 Missourians who lost it back in 2005 under Governor Matt Blunt's cuts to the Medicaid program.

Nixon made the announcement during a 3-city campaign tour Tuesday, just a day before the two Republican candidates for Governor debate at KY3-TV in Springfield.

"When Gov. Blunt slashed health care from 400,000 Missourians in 2005, he created a health care crisis that has only gotten worse," the Attorney General said. "Missourians lost coverage over night, families who still had insurance saw their premiums skyrocket, and our state turned away nearly $2 billion in federal health care funds. We must fix our broken health care system, and that starts by restoring coverage to every Missourian who had it slashed in 2005," he added.

Here are the details of the Nixon plan:

• Restore coverage/benefits to 400,000 by drawing on hundreds of millions in federal matching funds. The cost: $265 Million. This would also draw $696 Million dollars from the feds.
• Restoring coverage to 28,500 children, reaching out to families eligible for SCHIP but not enrolled, allowing families over 300 percent of the federal poverty level to purchase coverage for children through SCHIP
• Establish "Show-Me Health" consumer web page, a one-stop-shop for Missourians to compare health care prices and benefits
• Conduct strict performance reviews of the current system, aimed at modernizing delivery and management
• Ensuring access to pre-natal care, improving immunization rates for children and access to dental and vision services

The Missouri Budget project offered lukewarm support of the plan Tuesday. "There are currently 770,000 Missourians who are uninsured and don’t receive the preventive health care that they need,” said project director Amy Blouin. "While this measure would help a portion of those folks, Missouri must continue to come together and work in a non-partisan manner to ensure that these measures pass within the next legislative session."

The state Republican party quickly issued a statement questioning why Nixon defended similar healthcare cuts enacted by Gov. Bob Holden. "In 2003, Jay Nixon, without a word of dissent, went to court to defend Holden-enacted Medicaid cuts," said Tina Hervey, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party.

"Nixon supported the Holden Medicaid cuts before he was against the Blunt Medicaid reforms. It sounds a page from the John Kerry political handbook," Hervey tells the KY3 Political Notebook.

Republicans claim Nixon would have to implement a nearly $1 billion dollar tax hike in order to pay for the plan, but Nixon has said he can do it by drawing on federal funds that the state has been rejecting.

In response a new Democratic spokesperson, hired solely to handle the Governor's race challenged Republican candidates Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof to outline their own healthcare plans.

"It’s been roughly six months since Steelman and Hulshof embraced cutting people’s Medicaid coverage. In all that time, they still haven’t offered any of their own ideas about health care beyond a vigorous Viagra debate,” Missouri Democratic Party Spokesman Zac Wright said.

"Missourians are left to wonder if either Republican will finally address the proverbial elephant in the room at the debate or just continue embracing Matt Blunt’s agenda of slashing thousands of people’s health care and driving the premiums up for everybody else," Wright added.

Gov. Blunt Targets "Wasteful Spending"

Gov. Matt Blunt sent a letter to Missouri's Congressional delegation to ask for help in removing an "unnecessary and wasteful" spending provision from a federal water development bill.

Blunt's office claims the provision authorizes expenditures of $25 million dollars to complete another study of the primary uses of the Missouri River. A similar $35 million dollar study was completed in 2004.

"Such a study has already recently been conducted and changes implemented," wrote Gov. Blunt in the letter. "Those changes benefited the Upper Missouri River basin states at the expense of the residents of the Lower Basin. This funding would be used for a wholly unnecessary and wasteful project and is merely an attempt to shift even more water to the Upper Basin for recreational uses at the expense of navigation, power generation, flood control and drinking water supply for the lower states."

Blunt said a 2004 study provided a plan that provided more water to support upstream interests at the expense of downstream uses. "That study created years of uncertainty that was detrimental to the navigation industry and other uses that rely on the river," according to the Blunt release.

2 Weeks Out

10 THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T UNDERESTIMATE ABOUT THE STEELMAN-HULSHOF RACE OVER THE FINAL 14 DAYS

1. The perception within the political community that Hulshof's lead over Steelman is narrowing.

2. The free media attention Steelman will win from her statewide RV tour.

3. The voting "pad" the establishment will lend Hulshof come election day, particularly if turnout is low.

4. The influence that discrete but motivated "background" conversations will have on the beat reporters tracking and framing the race daily/hourly.

5. The Congressman's next big move.

6. How each candidate looks under studio lighting caked with make-up and how some voters won't be able to get passed it if one or both fail to make "the appearance" cut.

7. The growing consensus among Democrats that they would rather run against Hulshof this fall.

8. Farmers and the ethanol mandate.

9. The underwhelming feeling some leave with after hearing Steelman speak in public and Hulshof's rhetorical advantage in front of small crowds.

10. The KY3 debate audience.

"Disappointed and Troubled"

The House Armed Service Committee Chairman expresses dismay over a report that details how long soldiers with mental or physical problems have to wait before being discharged, reports USA Today

"I'm disappointed and troubled," House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., said in a statement. "These soldiers deserve high-quality care. The staff members charged with providing their care are doing yeoman's work, but the current staffing levels can't handle the load."

A U.S. House investigation found that ailing soldiers wait 2 months to a year before being discharged; the goal is a 1 to 4 month wait

Would You Vote For This Woman?

CAROL WILSON HOPES TO BE RE-ELECTED TO A POST SHE NEVER GOT TO HOLD . . . BUT DEMS ENDORSE FABRO

"She's not a Democrat and she's not a good candidate," Greene County Democratic Chair Craig Hosmer tells the KY3 Political Notebook. "I know she's had problems with her own personal finances so that certainly raises questions about how she'd be able to handle this job. I don't think she's qualified for the job."

The public administrator serves as a government guardian for the elderly and mentally disabled who cannot take care of themselves. But in the Democratic primary in Greene County, the question is if Carol Wilson can overcome her own checkered past, to be elected again.

That's because she was elected as Carol Gross (she's remarried since) back in the year 2000 as a Republican. But she was unable to her bond approved by a Greene County judge because of previous financial problems. Her primary opponent Laura Fabro won't comment on the controversy surround Wilson. But Wilson spoke to KY3 News at attempt at clearing her name and setting the record straight.

You can watch our DECISION 2008 coverage on KY3 News @ 10 HERE.

There are four Republican primary contenders for Public Administrator.

If I was able to find a campaign site, I included it:

Becky Frakes

Tony Bleau

Terry Ozborn

David Yancey

Nixon Crashes The Party

MAKING THEM PLAY DEFENSE

On the eve of back-to-back Republican primary debates, the expectant Democratic nominee for Governor decides to change the subject to healthcare, something both G.O.P. candidates have avoided offering specific details on.

Nixon campaign acknowledges that the timing is strategic . . .The 3-city tour is meant to put the Republican candidates on the defensive on an issue they've ignored most of the primary campaign. Democrats want Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman defending Gov. Matt Blunt's Medicaid cuts and for people to be reading about it the same day they debate each other.

Stops are set for St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City, NOT Springfield . . . in order to hit "the big markets in a straight shot."

In addition to the rhetoric, Nixon will release specific numbers on exactly how he plans to reinstate coverage, the mechanisms he'll use, what areas he will target and how he will pay for it

What will Hulshof and Steelman say now?

--VS.--

What should they say?

AGREEMENT ON "INSURE MISSOURI"

Steelman and Hulshof both favor Gov. Blunt's approach forward

Here's what Steelman said about it in a recent interview:

Here's what Hulshof said in the Lake Ozark debate back in June:

E-T-H-A-N-O-L: Farmer Spells Out Why He's For Steelman

After meeting both candidates, farmer Stacey McCallister e-mails the KY3 Political Notebook about why he's decided to support Sarah Steelman over Kenny Hulshof

McCallister met Hulshof at a fundraiser in Springfield a few weeks back. He met Steelman in Hartville during her RV tour Monday.

***

PLUS: The A.P's Lieb pens piece that seems favorable toward the Steelman argument. ALSO: Uber-strategist Jeff Roe pulls down the curtain, offers tidbits about the strategy behind the bus tour . . .

***She's stopping in each of the 47 counties with the largest number of likely G.O.P. voters . . . Two days before each visit, those voters get an automated call . . . Fewer than 1 percent show up, but the calls themselves are a goal

Excerpts from McCallister's e-mail:

"Hulshof never really impressed me. He tried to spin things on ethanol that I new better. Such as we would have to import 300,000 plus barrels of oil and I told him repealing the mandate would NOT stop production. ethanol was still going to be made. It would curb speculation thus making corn more affordable for the refineries . . .

"Anyway, he said he seen what I was trying to say, but my impression is he is part of the Republican status quo and only looks to the party for answers. He never once says HIS vision for Missouri.

"Steelman was way more impressive today (in Hartville). She seems to know where she wants to take the state on many topics. She seems truly concerned on all parts of the economy but with an ear to the people not just the Republican elitists."

Pregnant Prostitute Story Draws Criticism From Pro-Lifers

This time of year, even a crime story can generate political problems.

Such was Friday, when I reported on how Camden County authorities broke up a pregnant prostitute ring near Lake Ozark. An unscripted comment I made at the end of the piece, referring to the potential effects on "a fetus" or "potentially a child," drew a good amount of criticism from our viewers. (You can WATCH IT HERE.)

As the words were ad-libbing out of my mouth, I knew I was entering dangerous waters, but such is live television. My attempt was to phrase my sentence in a way that would not offend either side of the abortion debate. (For instance one of the women is just 2 months pregnant, while another is 8 months along.) But the tape shows the way it came out of my mouth . . . and in came the fire.

Here's some the "greatest hits" of mail I've been going through:

This is from viewer Dorothy Mueller:

"You would think this story itself was disgusting enough, but the final comment by David Catanese was totally asinine! Lisa Rose made the comment of whether the women could be charged with endangering the welfare of a child and Catanese response said something like, “right now it’s a fetus and potentially a child”. POTENTIALLY A CHILD – ask any OB/GYN if the fetus is POTENTIALLY A CHILD. I fail to see how such an incompetent statement could be made. Catanese needs to look at the ultrasound of the unborn child. I don’t know about him, but I feel quite certain that the two of you know for certain that a fetus is not just POTENTIALLY A CHILD. Only an idiot could make such a statement and words don’t express the disgust I feel right now."

Then there's this from Cheri Cappella:

"David Catanese’s response “ that would be something for the courts down the road to decide if something happened to that child, which is now a fetus, but potentially a child. . .” Both my husband and I immediately thought his statement was completely said in poor taste. The whole news piece was focused on the fact that these suspected prostitutes were pregnant, which is completely despicable and endangers the lives of the babies they are carrying. So the intentional “clarification” in his answer was just unnecessary and wrong. There are many people who believe differently than Mr. Catanese and he should keep his opinions to himself when delivering the news in the future."

And this from Kristen Waterman in Lebanon:

"I'm writing to make David Catanese's superiors aware that his liberal comments on air tonight were offensive. I thought that newscasts were supposed to remain neutral on issues, but tonight David was not. Clearly he has no regard for a child's life by his comment about a baby 8 months in the womb being "only a fetus", which he quickly jumped to clarify to Lisa Rose. David has obviously never experienced the wonder of life by having a child of his own, or surely he couldn't feel this way. As a long-time viewer of KY3, I am disappointed and I hope that this type of pro-choice, liberal personal opinion does not continue. If so, it looks as if my family will be switching stations."

I bring this to the blogosphere because I am curious to know what you think about it -- and this is where I can get feedback for the future. So watch it, and then tell me your take.

Is It Just Me . . .

Or are John McCain's TV ads really darn good?

First . . . "Love" (which could just be the best spot of the cycle so far), and now "Pump".

A Democrat told me this weekend, "It almost makes me want to vote for him. That guy's voice, (in "Love") sounds like Morgan Freeman for God sakes."

It's Hit Your Non-Opponent Day . . . Carter Criticizes Harris

Democratic candidate for Governor Mike Carter is criticizing Rep. Jeff Harris' plan to ban political robo-calls.

Harris is running for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.

Carter sent out a release Monday that said he would "truly and legally answer voters' complaints about robo-calls," by establishing a Missouri Political "Do Not Call List," legislatively.

In March, Carter created that type of list on his site. He claims nearly 10,000 voters have signed up.

"First Amendment scholars across the nation know that the outright banning of politically-focused robo-calling would be Constitutionally suspect on its face,” said Carter. While last week Harris said he would be open to pursuing a similar list with or without an "opt out" option, Carter said that could present Constitutional problems.

Carter believes an "opt out" is the only way to pursue such a political robo-calling ban.

"A legislatively enacted Missouri Political 'Do Not Call List' would speak to ‘political calls’ specifically and be somewhat analogous to a voter having the choice of which newspaper to purchase (or not) or to turn the channels on her radio and television – if not completely turn them off," said Carter. "Voters pay for their phones and phone-lines just as they do for cable television & newspapers and should be able to control what comes to them over the medium," said Carter.

8th District Candidate Allen Drills . . . Blunt?

8th District Democratic candidate for Congress Joe Allen is blasting 7th District Congressman Roy Blunt's energy plan.

Allen is running to unseat Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, but in a press release, he takes his aim at Blunt.

Allen said he supports a Senate bill aimed at curtailing "speculation in oil markets that have placed a strangle hold on the American economy."

"This bill could be the most single important silver bullet in protecting American Labor and business. By placing limits on excessive speculation, we can tame inflation and unlock Missouri’s economic potential," said Allen.

But then Allen turned his attention to Blunt. He labeled Blunt's weekend tour as a "Drill Here, Drill Now" plan.

"This [drilling] will only expand the inventory of big oil and no immediate or long term relief will be seen by Americans," Allen said. "Big oil is making record profits on the backs of hard working Americans, and they will continue to do so as long as the Bush administration and our representatives continue to support them."

Added Allen: "We have not built a new refinery in thirty-two years, so how do we plan to process it? This is just another way for the Bush administration and his loyalists to hoodwink to the people for their own benefit."

By the way, Allen's web address for his campaign for Congress is . . . http://www.prestigevacationclub.com/allen/ Huh?

"I Know, Because I'm Mark Webb"

Greene County Sheriff candidate Mark Webb will start running TV ads on the local stations next week.


But it's already on YouTube HERE.


He speaks on camera about "bringing professionalism back to the Greene County Sheriff's Department." He also touts law school and 27 years of experience with Springfield P.D. "Remember my name, Mark Webb. It means an end to the blame game within the Greene County Sheriff's Department. The time is now for new professionalism in your Sheriff's Department," Webb says.


Tags it out . . . "I know, because I'm Mark Webb."

Webb faces Chief Deputy Jim Arnott and Gene Thomlinson in the Republican primary for Sheriff on August 5th.

The Notecast

Edition III, in 2 parts

(Yeah, so the promo could be slicker, and "Governors" sounds odd, but they're promo people, not political people.)

Former Dem Chair Gave To Steelman in '06

Former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Joe Carmichael donated $1,250 to State Treasurer Sarah Steelman back in September 2006, according to a finance report sent to the KY3 Political Notebook.

The revelation of the donation is aimed at raising questions about Steelman's conservative credentials while she's locked in an increasingly competitive Republican primary for Governor against Congressman Kenny Hulshof.

The contribution is listed in Steelman's October 2006 quarterly report. Marie and Lloyd (Joe) Carmichael donated $1,250 to Steelman on September 26, 2006.

When the Notebook first contacted Carmichael Friday, he said he could not remember why he had given money to Steelman at that particular time. After speaking with his wife, Carmichael called back to explain.

"After talking to Marie, it jogged my memory," Carmichael said. "Tom Hearne, Sarah's brother, is a good friend of mine. I got a call to do a golf tournament that she always does. We agreed. Sarah didn't have a Democratic opponent. She was in the middle of her term, and her brother is a good friend of mine," Carmichael added.

When asked if he finds Steelman to be an attractive candidate for office on any level, he replied, "We're clearly supporting Jay Nixon in the race for Governor. That's pretty much all there is to it."

A Steelman campaign spokesperson dismissed the relevance of the donation and what it says about the State Treasurer's political record. "Sarah Steelman's conservative credentials are above reproach," replied spokesperson Spence Jackson. "She wrote the gay marriage ban and worked to ban partial birth abortions and unlike Congressman Hulshof she has fought wasteful and excessive government spending."

Blunt on Sunday Morning TV

Rep. Roy Blunt to Appear on CNN's Late Edition

10 a.m. to Noon Sunday

Nixon Tries Again on E-mails

BLUNT CAMP: You'll Lose Again

Attorney General Jay Nixon is asking state judge to name a special assistant attorney general to pursue a lawsuit against the governor over e-mail records. The lawsuit was filed by Mel Fisher, one of three investigators selected by Nixon to look into allegations that the governor's office violated the Sunshine Law by deleting e-mails. The suit seeks backup e-mail records at no cost.

"Jay Nixon has already lost once with the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by his political operatives," said Blunt spokesperson Jessica Robinson. "The fact that neither Jay Nixon nor his political appointee Mr. Fisher are willing to file anything themselves suggests they understand the likelihood of losing a second time," she added in a statement Friday.

Last week, Cole County Judge Richard Callahan dismissed the suit but gave Nixon's investigators 10 days to amend it. Callahan had suggested that Nixon be made a party in the lawsuit, that the attorney general's office request the court appoint a special assistant attorney general to pursue the suit or that Fisher explain how he personally was harmed.

"Jay Nixon’s political operatives not only lost once, but the lawsuit that was dismissed accuses the governor of actions he did not take, it accuses the governor of actions that even if true would not be a violation of the law and it accuses the governor of actions that did not occur. If anyone attempts to raise these issues again we will make all of these arguments for yet another dismissal," Robinson said.

Reporting by the Associated Press is included in this post.

Nixon To Visit Houston Saturday

The Democratic candidate for Governor will visit the Texas County Democratic Club in Houston on Saturday at Noon. He'll then follow-up with stops in Eminence and Doniphan.

"Find More, Use Less"

Congressman Roy Blunt began his 2-day tour Friday touting a plan aimed at lowering gas prices based on finding more energy sources and using less of them.

Blunt's plan includes exploring for energy off America's coasts, promoting conservation and providing incentives for new technologies.

"This is the kind of balanced approach we need to bring down the price at the pump. I will keep working with my colleagues in Congress to take action on this package as soon as possible," Blunt said.

His plan includes:

• Opening Deep Water resources, which would provide 3 million additional barrels of oil a day, Opening the Arctic Coastal Plain (1 million barrels of oil per day) and allowing development of shale oil (2.5 million barrels of oil per day)
• Providing tax incentives for families and businesses that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles, a monetary prize for the first person to develop an economically feasible super-fuel efficient vehicle, and providing tax incentives for those improving energy efficiency
• Developing alternative fuels through government contracting, extending for 10-years the tax credit for alternative energy production and eliminating barriers to expand nuclear production
  
  
  
  

WSJ Blesses Steelman, Then Cautions Her

TOP CONSERVATIVE PAPER COMPARES STEELMAN TO JINDAL

CALLS BLUNT, BOND "BITTER"

"Ms. Steelman is clearly doing something right," writes Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberly Strassel

***THE MUST READ WSJ COLUMN POLITICOS WILL BE TALKING ABOUT FRIDAY IS HERE***

KEY PASSAGES ARE BELOW:

"So bitter are House Minority Whip Roy Blunt and Sen. Kit Bond at Ms. Steelman's attack on their cherished spending beliefs that last month they rallied the entire Missouri congressional delegation to put out a public statement openly criticizing her campaign against six-term U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof."

"Her sin is in fact to belong to that new mold of Republican – Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim DeMint – who know it's no longer enough to simply hawk lower taxes. In 10 years as a state legislator and treasurer, her target has been the slothful political favor factory that's led Republicans away from small-government principles and outraged conservative voters."

"For Mr. Blunt, this is also just a wee bit personal. His son, Matt, is the outgoing governor, and has been on the receiving end of a few Treasurer Steelman blasts. Last year she stopped payment on a $70,000 secret check his administration cut to settle a sexual harassment suit against an official. Her demand for transparency blew the case into the open, infuriating GOP colleagues."

"Mr. Hulshof has been able to tout his own history as an ethics reformer, though the fervor with which his party's regulars have embraced him has undercut that message. His real weakness is that despite conservative credentials on taxes or social issues, he's run wild with the GOP crowd that just won't relinquish the pork."

"Ms. Steelman's ads have noted Mr. Hulshof's support for the Alaskan Bridge to Nowhere, the Maine Lobster Institute, the Perfect Christmas Tree exhibit and the Woodstock concert hall. Their first debate last week centered on Mr. Hulshof's spending record. In an interview with a local reporter, he felt so cornered that he asked the interviewer what earmarks have "to do" with being "governor" anyway."

"If Ms. Steelman's bid shows anything, it's how determined a wandering Republican Party, both nationally and locally, is to hold on to the bad habits that lost them their reputation. Beware to the reformer."

Jeff Harris Meets The Press

DON'T CALL ME, I'LL CALL YOU

The Democratic candidate for Attorney General calls for banning robo-calls by political campaigns but won't rule out using them himself during this campaign

"IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL"

Harris details why he's been so tough on rival Sen. Chris Koster, who switched parties last summer. He calls his disagreement with Koster "philosophical," not personal. Harris then lists his differences on the Photo I.D. bill, local control of CAFOs and the Medicaid cuts. "There wasn't a single Democrat in the House under my leadership who voted for those cuts. If we can't stand up against the Medicaid cuts, then shame on us," Harris said.

In addition, Harris won't touch rival Rep. Margaret Donnelly. When asked about differences with her, he quickly points to experience and leadership, but steers clear of specifics.

WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?

When asked about fundraising and polls, Harris doesn't put too much stock in either. He makes it clear he is aiming to play well in southwest Missouri, because he's been here, and he'll be back.

OVERALL:

Harris was focused and forceful. While visibly a bit road-weary when he arrived, he quickly proved he was ready for a fight and armed with answers. He gets points just for just showing up to an area that's been mostly overlooked by the candidates for Attorney General. Neither Donnelly nor Koster have held similar press availabilities here yet, and Harris did indeed lay out a host of specifics. Southwest Missouri may not have a real impact on this primary, but if it does, Harris looks to have an edge down in the Ozarks.

Now We're Playin' Ball

HULSHOF & STEELMAN BOTH UP WITH NEW ADS

BOTH APPEAR ON CAMERA

AT ISSUE: Spending vs. Ethanol

"Politicians call it taxpayer money. I'm a mom . . . I call it your money"

SO WHICH IS BETTER?

"Sarah's not telling you she's totally reversed her position since July 1st."