No Rest on the 4th for Blunt

U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt had a busy holiday weekend campaigning -- more than a year before the GOP will even nominate its candidate for U.S. Senate.

Blunt spoke Friday night at the "I Love America" event in Springfield. On Saturday, he walked in the Webster Groves 4th of July parade. After that, he traveled to Washington, Missouri for a Tea Party. He ended his day back at Hammons Field for the Springfield Cardinals game.

*Above is a TWIT pic of Blunt campaigning in a soggy Webster Groves*

Schweich Touts Establishment Encouragement in Ramp Up for Auditor Campaign

In the strongest signal yet he'll launch a bid for auditor, former U.S. ambassador Tom Schweich is signaling to Republicans across the state that he has the quiet support of top GOP officeholders for a statewide campaign.
***
In an e-mail forwarded to Republicans by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, obtained by The Notebook, Schweich outlines six principals he'd follow as an auditor while also making a pitch for his electability.

"I am clearly the best candidate to win statewide in November. But I need your support to get there. I am asking for your assistance and endorsement for my campaign for Missouri State Auditor," Schweich writes.

Schweich also notably touts support from the upper echelon of the Missouri Republican Party. "The reception I have received so far shows my message of experience and integrity is connecting with Missourians. I already have received encouragement from Sen. Kit Bond, Congressman Roy Blunt, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and many other well-known Missouri Republicans," Schweich goes on.

Schweich said he has the following six traits needed to be an effective auditor: fiscal conservatism, legal experience, investigative experience, audit experience, management experience and impartiality.

"I am a fiscal hawk who will root out waste, fraud and abuse and protect you, the taxpayer. My unmatched experience, fairness and record of doing the right things for the right reasons prove it. As auditor, I will put your needs as the taxpayer first and be the rough, fair-minded and efficient advocate you deserve," Schweich writes. "With billions of dollars of Obama stimulus money coming to Missouri, our state needs a fiscal conservative like me to protect every taxpayer dollar from waste and abuse."

"Earlier this year, I was encouraged by a group of patriotic and well-known Missouri Republicans - conservatives and moderates alike - to become a new face in Missouri politics. I initially considered a run for U.S. Senate given my global experience. But working together and party unity is far more important to me than individual gain. The only question that really matters is: "What is best for the people of Missouri?"

Schweich's e-mail also includes his biography and a campaign e-mail account.

At the top of the e-mail, there is a note from Kinder, which reads the following:
"Dear Friends, The following letter came across my desk and I wanted to share it with you. I have met Tom Schweich and he has a very impressive background that highlights a dedication to public service and a commitment to truth and integrity. In the future I hope you have the opportunity to meet him in person."

***

After harshly criticizing Congressman Roy Blunt, Schweich cut a deal with top party leaders to drop out of the race in exchange for support for a campaign for auditor. Four days later, GOP House Budget Chair Allen Icet announced his own campaign for auditor, in what was seen as a pre-emptive strike to get out ahead of Schweich.
***

A Republican source tells The Notebook that Schweich was initially upset and caught off guard by Icet's announcement, and while allies of both sides were reportedly trying to come to an agreement to avoid a primary, a separate Republican said both are now expected to run.

The Notebook was first to report Schweich's potential campaign for auditor on June 11th, the same day he dropped out of the race for U.S. Senate.

Bond: Public Healthcare Option Would Bankrupt Private Insurance in 1 Year

ALSO CLAIMS THERE'S NOT A GLOBAL WARMING CRISIS

Using stark and unambiguous language, Sen. Kit Bond predicted that a public government-run healthcare option would bankrupt private insurance companies within one year of its implementation.

"If you try a government run option, everybody knows that within a year or less, it would drive the private sector out, and they would bankrupt the private companies because they don't pay taxes, they can subsidize their patients . . .," Sen. Bond said to reporters in Springfield this week.

ON THE CAP & TRADE PLAN that passed the House, Bond took numerous shots at comments President Obama made during the campaign. He said the energy and climate legislation would be "a disaster" for Missouri that would drive jobs out of the state.

Bond also seemed to say that the global warming crisis is being grossly overblown.

"But to put a punitive tax on where there is not a crisis in global warming, that makes absolutely no sense," Bond said.

***
SKELTON EXPLAINS CAP & TRADE VOTE:

ALSO: Following mounting criticism from state and national Republicans, Congressman Ike Skelton explained his vote on the cap and trade legislation, and in a statement said his vote to send the bill to the Senate "does not give my blessing to any final bill on air pollution regulation."

"I am pleased that HR 2454 would exempt farms from the bill's proposed regulatory framework and would put in place a number of policies sought by and supported by the agricultural community," Skelton explained. "My vote to move HR 2452 to the Senate does not give my blessing to any final bill on air pollution regulation that might be presented to Congress later this year or next year. I will reserve judgment on a final bill until it has been produced."

"We will be wise to remember that energy reform is not just a matter of regulating air pollution, it is also a matter of national security," said Skelton. "There are real national and global security implications when lakes go dry and when oceans rise. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, this aspect of climate change worries me."

Forget Roy & Robin, in '10 Follow the National Mood

CHUCK TODD: IN 2010, IT'S ABOUT OHIO & MISSOURI

Former Republican U.S. Congressman Tom Davis suggested Thursday that Missouri's 2010 U.S. Senate race will be one of top nationwide targets -- but could ultimately be decided by national trends rather than personal stories of the individual candidates.

Davis made his comments on MSNBC's Hardball, in response to questions from NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd.

"Missouri, in particular is a trend state, although Obama lost it, it was very, very close. (Sen. Claire) McCaskill came in on a Democratic tide after she lost a gubernatorial election in a more Republican time, so these are trend states. They're large states. It's harder to personalize them. And incumbents can become vulnerable to national trends in those states in particular," Davis said, when asked about Missouri and Ohio.

Todd suggested, and Davis agreed, that if one of the parties is able to sweep the 2 open U.S. Senate seats in Missouri and Ohio -- that party will be declared the winner of the 2010 midterms.

Added Davis: "The midterm elections are less about the Republicans than they are about the Democrats."

Everyone's Over 50

A new round of SurveyUSA Missouri polling shows all of the top elected officials with approval ratings over the 50 percent mark.

Missouri voters granted the following approval ratings in June:

PRESIDENT OBAMA 51%
SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL 52%
SEN. KIT BOND 55%
GOV. JAY NIXON 55%

Based on a sampling of 600 adults, June 23-24th/4% margin of error

NOTES:

OBAMA: They surveyed 41% Democrats, which critics will say is an oversample in Missouri. In this poll, there's some evidence of polarization. He gets only 16% of Republicans, and loses "independents" but wins "moderates." Southwest Missouri remains his toughest ground, winning just 43%.

MCCASKILL: Much like her re-election, the junior Senator's polling has to be tied to Obama's popularity. Stronger with males than females (? !) Hear women roar . . . 68% of homemakers are on board. She gets only 19% of Republicans, but wins the rest comfortably. She's only at 42% in Southwest Missouri.

BOND: 50% of blacks are for Bond, quite the feat for a Republican -- and one the Bond brigades should be proud of. Bond doesn't lose a sector -- until we get to Democrats, where he loses 45%-49%. But those are great numbers for an opposing party. Sympathy points for his imminent retirement? Either way, he'll take 'em. Oh, and "Liberals" -- that's right -- "LIBERALS" support Bond 48%-46%. His highest marks in the state come from the Ozarks: 61% salute.

NIXON: The Governor wins all age groups, but old people just love him. 73% of those 65 and older approve. On the job status table, Nixon wins all groups, except the "unemployed," which makes sense. I don't have a job, and you're the Governor, what's up? In Kit Bond form, he only loses Republicans by 2 points -- 43%-45%. His "liberal" rating is only at 63%, which is probably a good thing in the Show-Me state. Oh, and in Southwest Missouri, 61% approve -- that ties Kit "friggin" Bond. A Democratic Governor with his top geographic rating in the Ozarks. Maybe the GOP should start thinking 2016.

Both Sides Agree Cap & Trade Would Raise Ozark Utility Bills

Local utility companies worry climate and energy legislation now heading to the U.S. Senate would force them to raise customer rates dramatically. But supporters argue the long-term savings environmentally and financially would be much greater.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

COSTS WILL GO UP -- BUT HOW SOON WILL THEY COME BACK DOWN?

"The monthly increase on the average residential customers bill would be $20 per month, almost immediate in 2012," Duane Highley of Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. estimates.

"It's going to be an incremental $15 dollars, and then we should be ramping back down," said Jonathan Conrad of Springfield's MoveOn.org chapter.

ALSO: Sierra Club Reaction

"I am no fan of the watered down version of Waxman-Markey, and quite frankly, I suspect that its impact both financially and environmentally will be nominal at best for at least 10 years," said Brian Hamburg.

*CLARIFICATION: Hamburg e-mailed The Notebook Friday to say his comments are his personal views and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sierra Club

Bond: Obama Should Thank Bush for Iraq

ALSO SAYS U.S. SHOULD CUT OFF PETROLEUM TO IRAN

Sen. Kit Bond said President Obama should thank former President Bush for pursuing the controversial surge strategy that helped lead to relative stability in Iraq.

Bond made his comments after a ribbon-cutting event for a new community health center in Springfield Thursday.

"He congratulated the troops, I join him on that. He should've said thank you, President Bush," Bond said.

Earlier this week, Iraq's government took over control of cities and towns from American troops. The transition was part of the status forces agreement that was hammered out last year.

***WATCH ABOVE***

On Iran, Bond said the U.S. should attempt to cut off refined petroleum exports to the country. "That will cause a change in the regime's attitude, or a regime change, because they're short of refined petroleum."

Also hopes Obama has "given up on talks" with embattled Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Wisdom Will Continue Campaign, Despite Heading Overseas

7th District Congressional candidate Jeff Wisdom announced Thursday that he will continue his campaign despite his obligation to fufill a Naval Reserve training mission that will take him overseas for the next month.

Wisdom will soon head to Little Rock, Arkansas and then overseas to the Middle East for three to four weeks of scheduled training as part of the Naval Reserve.

"I'm looking forward to carrying out my responsibilities as a Navy Reservist," Wisdom said at a sparsely attended news conference. "Our campaign will go on."

*WATCH HIS COMMENTS ABOVE*

ALSO: LAMBASTES focus on "endorsements, fundraising & consultants."

"It begs the question that if our focus is still on money, who's got what endorsements, who's hired what consultants, how can we expect different results in Washington, D.C," Wisdom said, making a point worth considering.

Snyder Moving to Blunt Office, Not Campaign

Roy Blunt's office announced Thursday that Burson Snyder will become the Congressman's deputy chief of staff -- not the communications director of his U.S. Senate campaign, as reported earlier by The Washington Post.

"Burson will be a critical part of my efforts to serve Missourians in Washington," Blunt said in a release. "Her experience, know-how, and work ethic will help me drive common sense results for Missouri."

Snyder spent a brief time working for former Sen. Fred Thompson's presidential bid in 2008. Previous to that, she served as Blunt's communications director from 2001 to 2007.

Meanwhile, Blunt spokesman Nick Simpson is moving on to work for the Senate Republican Conference.

Nixon Vetoes Helmet Repeal

Gov. Jay Nixon today vetoed legislation that would have repealed Missouri’s helmet law for motorcycle riders.

In a statement, the Governor cited two primary concerns: the significantly increased health care costs that could have resulted from the repeal, and the safety of Missouri’s motorcycle riders.

“In terms of lives and of dollars, the cost of repealing Missouri’s helmet law simply would have been too high,” Gov. Nixon said. “By keeping Missouri’s helmet law intact, we will save numerous lives, while also saving Missouri taxpayers millions of dollars in increased health care costs. Keeping our helmet law in place was the safe and cost-effective choice for Missouri.”

WATCH Marie Saavedra's KY3 News @ 6 piece HERE

Other reaction:

"St. John's is elated the Governor vetoed the repeal of the helmet law. As the region's Level I trauma center we know this will save lives and save costs," said spokeswoman Cora Scott of St. John's Hospital.

"I will be working against him in any election he will ever run in and will closely watch everything he does and says from now on," said Dean Gunter of Freedom of Road Riders who claims the Governor personally promised him he would sign the repeal if it was sent to him "clean."

WaPost: Blunt Brings on Burson

Rep. Roy Blunt is bringing on Burson Snyder to serve as communications director for his 2010 U.S. Senate campaign, reports The Washington Post.

From Chris Cillizza:

"Burson Snyder, who spent several years working for Rep. Roy Blunt's leadership office on Capitol Hill, has signed on to serve as communications director for Blunt's Senate bid in 2010. Snyder spent a brief time working for former Sen. Fred Thompson's (Tenn.) presidential bid in 2008 (who didn't?!). Snyder joins Blunt's campaign on the upswing. Blunt announced Wednesday he had raised more than $1 million in between April 1 and June 30 -- a vast improvement over his weak first fundraising quarter -- and appears to be on the verge of clearing the primary field with former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman leaning against a run."

Amid Criticism, Nixon Signs License Office Reform

Governor Jay Nixon signed legislation in Springfield Wednesday that requires lucrative license fee offices to be bid out competitively with non-profit organizations getting priority selection status.

For practical purposes Nixon's signing of the legislation won't change much immediately -- his administration has been bidding out the state's 183 offices competitively since the beginning of the year. The legislation ensures the process will remain after Nixon's gone.

Nixon signed the bill at the South Fremont license office in Springfield, which was awarded to Alternative Opportunities Inc., a non-profit that provides services to individuals with disabilities. Campaign finance reports show that the group donated $5,800 to Nixon's campaign in October and August of 2008.

But the Nixon administration points out that a variety of factors are taken into account when awarding bids, including hours of operation, experience in running an operation, location, and customer service. Non-profits and those who agree to return some proceeds to the state also receive extra points.

The South Fremont office was also seen as a symbolic location for Nixon's signing. The office had previously been run by a longtime political ally of the Blunt family, Leslie Carter. Carter was the contract agent for two Springfield offices and one Ozark office. She's also the wife of Tom Carter, who is a contributor and fundraiser for Congressman Roy Blunt.

The South Fremont office was one of the first six offices Nixon's administration put up for bid. WATCH that KY3 NEWS January report HERE.

Nixon noted that the legislation he signed was passed on overwhelming bi-partisan votes in both chambers: "I applaud the bi-partisan work undertaken by the legislature to get these bills to my desk today. Legislators from both parties recognized that license office reform was sorely necessary and worked diligently to pass legislation that puts the needs of Missouri's license office customers first."

St. John's Fears Public Option Could Hurt Access

*WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE*

As President Obama's push for health care reform ramps up with the summer heat, a top official at St. John's Hospital in Springfield says a public government option could actually hurt access to coverage.

Of the many pegs of the president's approach, including a public option designed to compete with private insurance companies to provide healthcare to the uninsured is undoubtedly the most ambitious and controversial part of his pitch.

St. John's executive vice president Donn Sorensen, who also sits on the board of directors of the American Medical Group Association, would not go as far characterize a public option as a deal breaker for doctors, but called it "problematic."

"To the extend that government gets involved in a big way, there are some unintended consequences," said Sorensen.

But to health care advocate Lisa Fowler Koeppe, who organized a rally promoting universal healthcare in Springfield last weekend, a public option is a must.

"There has to be a public option," said Koeppe in a phone interview. "Covering some of these people with pre-existing conditions is just not profitable for the private insurers," she added.

Proponents of the public option, who are mostly Democrats, believe that only the government has the leverage to push down costs. They also tout portability. A nationwide public plan would allow Americans to move and keep their coverage, which isn't always the case with private insurers.

In a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday, the president focused on how more choices would provide people better benefits.

"This is going to be a marketplace to allow you to one-stop shop for healthcare plans and compare benefits and priorities in simple easy to understand language," said President Obama.

But placing the government in the pool as one of those competitors makes St. John's Sorensen nervous.

The fear is that since the government's option would be cheaper, many would ditch their private care for Uncle Sam. That would, in turn, squeeze insurance companies out of the market and leave doctors with much of the tab.

"If you go to this public option, that already pays providers at a lower rate and is scheduled to go lower in this bill, there won't be any doctors there that can afford to take you in," Sorensen argued.

Congressman Roy Blunt, who has been charged with leading the GOP alternative to Obama's plan, has also drawn the line in the sand on a government backed option.

"We believe his plan insures, guarantees, you won't be able to keep what you have because a government competitor is never a fair competitor," said Blunt in Springfield last week. "I am absolutely convinced that if you have a government competitor, then eventually you have no competitors," Blunt added.

Sorensen and Blunt instead favor market-based incentives that would drive hospitals and specialty groups towards a more integrated care model. They think boosting efficiencies, eliminating duplicate tests and focusing on prevention will help drive down costs.

Those are some areas where the president agrees with his rivals.

But at the core of the disagreement remains allowing the government in the game at all.

Right now, it seems that backers of a public option have the public support. A new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found that 69 percent of those surveyed support a government-run healthcare option.

However, as Salon.com notes, the poll has a caveat: Only 28 percent of those polled said they would choose to be covered by such a program.

Sorensen said that the government option could become cheap enough for patients to afford, but too cheap for doctors to actually provide.

"Where every person may have insurance, the access to care wouldn't be available," he said.

LATEST WORTHWHILE HEALTHCARE DEBATE READS:

*Sen. Joe Lieberman comes out AGAINST a public option

*Dems have revised their plan to bring down the overall cost

*Newt Gingrich to ABC: "If you don't like your current insurance company, you can change insurance companies. But if you ended up with a single national health system, you wouldn't be able to change bureaucrats."

DSCC Unveils New Anti-Blunt "Suits" Site

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) released a new website Wednesday targeting Congressman Roy Blunt and the Missouri Republicans who have endorsed his U.S. Senate bid.

The DSCC site asks visitors to "sign up and print out your Missouri Suits baseball card."

The site features pictures of "The Suits": Roy Blunt, Jim Talent, Sen. Kit Bond and former Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Check out the site HERE.

"Collectively, the figures in this group have decades of insider experience in Washington DC, whether it was as the chief legal mind in George Bush’s Administration, a Senator who marched lock-step with Bush-Cheney for six long years, or a Senator who has been voting the wrong way since the Reagan Administration," reads a release from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"Birds of a feather flock together," said DSCC communications director Eric Schultz. "Roy Blunt is a creature of Washington, that’s where he feels most comfortable. But Missourians are looking for change and Jim Talent, Kit Bond, John Ashcroft are not the faces of the future. They embody the old ways of Washington and that’s why they’re standing with their leader Roy Blunt," Schultz said.

Earlier this year, former state treasurer Sarah Steelman labeled Blunt as another "white guy in a suit."

Missouri Republican Party responds:

"Robin Carnahan and the national Democrats want to talk about clothes when our country is facing very serious challenges like a weak economy and the Carnahan-backed national energy tax," said MOGOP Executive Director Lloyd Smith.

ALSO TODAY: The Blunt campaign announced raising more than $1 million dollars during the second quarter fundraising period, which covers April through June.

NRCC Targeting Skelton on Cap & Trade

Do national Republicans really see Congressman Ike Skelton as vulnerable?

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is targeting 13 Democrats with radio ads and robo-calls over their support of the energy bill, including Skelton.

POLITICO's Josh Kraushaar writes: "Of note is that four of those targets – Boucher, Skelton, Gordon and Snyder – have faced next to no competition in recent years, but Republicans believe their energy vote could potentially put their conservative-minded seats in play next year."

UPDATED 4:10 PM

Below is the script of the radio ad currently running in Jefferson City:

ANNCR: Nancy Pelosi just passed her number one legislative priority….it’s a radical plan to implement a National Energy Tax across America.

They call it Cap and Trade. But make no mistake…it’s a massive new tax.

Just ask President Obama.

OBAMA: “Under my plan, of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”

ANNCR: Say that again, Mr. President?

OBAMA: “electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”

ANNCR: Experts say it would cost Western Missouri over 2,500 jobs.

But Congressman Ike Skelton voted for the National Energy Tax.

Skelton voted in lock step with Nancy Pelosi.

Just like he did on the wasteful stimulus plan….and on 98 percent of the votes this year.

Ike Skelton and Nancy Pelosi. More taxes. More spending. Less jobs.

Call Ike Skelton at 202-225-3121. Tell him to stop voting with Nancy Pelosi and start voting for Missourians instead.

7th District Power Rankings

This is the third installment of The Notebook's monthly survey of the 7th Congressional District field and each candidate's chances of winning the GOP nomination in 2010.
***
The higher the candidate's ranking, the more likely he/she is positioned to win the nomination at this point and time -- and be put on the path to replace Roy Blunt in the U.S. House.

For last month's rankings, click HERE.

1. Jack Goodman -- (Stable) Team Goodman has spent most of the past month staffing up, conducting grass-roots meetings and raising money. Did we mention raising money? No matter what the campaign finance numbers report later this month, Goodman's political allies will note that the Senator spent two-thirds of the fundraising quarter "in session." (But he better raise more than Nodler, who had just a month.) Still, Goodman's got his team in place (Miles Ross, campaign manager/David Barklage, consultant, etc . . .) and he's attempting to penetrate hard into Nodler's base. The campaign believes Joplin is Jack's number one area for growth. He held a fundraiser in Joplin which drew about 50 people and he's done the rounds in D.C. He can become the beneficiary of Nodler's enemies, but can he sustain Nodler's deep contacts around the state and his aggressive nature when the heat turns on?

2. Gary Nodler -- (Stable) In the end, both the Nodler and Goodman camps privately believe the race will come down to them, and Gary Nodler is pretty confident in his chances. Some politicos are wondering how Gregg Keller will be able to focus on day to day operations with half of his mind in Connecticut. But as Nodler notes, all the "who's who" consultants dip their pens in multiple reservoirs of ink. Nodler will report about $100 K raised in a month, and he's more than hinted he really hasn't even begun to tap his resources. (Can anybody else raise substantial dough in Kansas City and St. Louis?) Nodler thinks it's much too early to get consumed by the month-to-month horse race, but his backers believe that once voters get engaged they'll see the Joplin Senator as a doer -- a mover and shaker. And because the stakes are high, they believe voters will opt for the man in-the-arena over a wallflower.

3. Sarah Steelman -- (----) The Notebook is done guessing Sarah Steelman's intentions, but we do know someone has done polling in the 7th District testing her name identification. (Who would poll her name other than her?) And of course, the mere fact of phone calls as recent as a week and a half ago has got all the other 7th District candidates wondering. "Last time I checked, Sarah doesn't live in the 7th district," snapped one ally for another candidate. "She got killed in the Joplin area against Kenny," noted another. Yet, she makes her debut on the Power Ranking list because the buzz about a potential candiacy merits a slot. If Steelman gets in, it dramatically alters the field. Is she the Carpetbagging opportunist -- or the Maverick populist? Unanswerable for now. Because her strength lies in the eastern half of the district, she probably hurts Goodman/Long more than Gary Nodler -- initially. But even those who like Steelman fear the longer she waits, the more donors commit elsewhere.

4. Billy Long -- (Down 1) Billy Long's biggest strength is that he's the only major contender running who isn't on the government payroll. He's also worth a bunch of money. That counts in a tanking economy. Those close to Long say he'll hit his Quarter 2 fundraising mark, but they don't expect to win the quarter. His campaign team seems to be coming together. Spotted recently at a Long fundraiser: Consultants Jeff Roe & James Harris. Can they help turn his sweet twang into a real penetrating message? It remains the outstanding question. Long clearly remains the dark horse in the race -- the ultimate wild card with a question mark at the end.

5. Darrell Moore -- (Down 1) The candidate least happy about Moore's entrance into the race is Jack Goodman. Local attorneys say the Greene County prosecutor's bid has put a bit of a chill on Goodman's ability to tap his attorney friends for big dollar contributions. This raises another question: Will anyone turn up the heat to demand Moore resign his seat in order to pursue his campaign? What trial lawyer going up against Moore in the courtroom would feel comfortable lending financial aide to his Congressional opponent?

6. Jeff Wisdom -- (Down 1) I'm not sure what this means, but I recently noticed I have two Jeff Wisdom friends on Facebook -- and both are the same person. Wisdom has recently been vacationing in Orlando. On June 25th, he announced key endorsements "from Goofy, Pluto, Eeyore, Pooh, and Tigger...Donald Duck and Mickey are holding out though...the darn liberals! LOL"

7. Hal Donaldson -- (Up 1) There's word that some local GOPers have suggested that the Convoy of Hope president run for State Senate rather than the 7th District. He hasn't done anything publicly to suggest a full-fledged campaign, but even if he had, he'd probably be in close to the same slot as far as political "power" goes. Maybe Donaldson and Steelman should get together and talk it out.

Nodler Estimates $100 K Haul in 30 Days

State Senator Gary Nodler tells The Notebook he'll report raising about $100,000 during the first month of his 7th District Congressional campaign.

The second campaign fundraising quarter ends Tuesday night. Reports are due mid-July. But Nodler said he's proud of his money haul, considering "we actually didn't even have a month" to tap donors. Nodler announced his Congressional bid on May 28th. Full quarter reports are based on 3-month increments of fundraising.

"Since we started we haven't had one fundraising event, not one dinner or one house party," Nodler said in an interview with The Notebook Tuesday night. "We'll report somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000, and we're very pleased. I think some people are too focused on the quarter by quarter reporting, like a sprint, but it's a marathon. You've got to have sustainability," Nodler explained.

***

OTHER CAMPAIGN Q & A with NODLER:

ON HIS TEAM: Says Gregg Keller will serve as "general consultant." "He'll be the main point of contact, and we've got a couple of volunteers," Nodler said. Asked about Keller's commitment to a U.S. Senate race in Connecticut, Nodler pointed out that none of the other candidates have consultants who won't be dedicated to other races as well. "Gregg is in touch with me multiple times a day. He'll be in Missouri more than he's in Connecticut. He's handling the Connecticut race, but all of these consultants will be handling multiple races. This race is a top two priority for Keller," Nodler said.

ON THE FIELD: "I wouldn't write anybody off. It's an unpredictable year. The public mood is fluid. There's really no way to sit here in 2009 and get a real accurate account of the climate in 2010. The filing deadline isn't even close. It's too early for anyone to be dismissive. I can recall when everybody wrote off John McCain when his campaign went bankrupt in the summer. I'm not about to dismiss any candidates."

ON HIS OWN LIKABILITY: Asked about how he'll handle the perception that he has more enemies than Senate colleague Jack Goodman, Nolder responded, "I've got a lot more people that like me than Jack does too. It goes both ways." "I'm not too polarizing . . . People want to elect legislators to Congress. If the objective is to find a neutral or unremarkable person, or someone who doesn't have as much substance, that's probably not me," he said.

Kinder Calls Nixon Bonding Plan "Another Bailout"

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder has come out staunchly against Gov. Jay Nixon's proposed bonding initiative, a plan designed to help finance capital projects around the state.

Nixon's bond proposal is seen as a way to pursue most of the construction projects he cut or withheld from the 2010 budget he signed last week.

"Our nation is facing the greatest economic recession since the Great Depression. The governor’s bonding plan is nothing more than another government bailout that will put our state in debt for nearly a quarter of a century," Kinder said in a statement. "The 2010 balanced budget that was passed by the legislature took into account all the realities of the current recession. The key focus of our past legislative session was job creation, and our budget reflected that priority. This bonding initiative is merely a debt plan that will fail to put any Missourians back to work in the near future. The risk of failure is too great," he added.

"I strongly urge the governor to utilize the one time funds available in the state's bank account and fund the construction projects that legislators authorized just a few months ago. That is a plan that will truly make a difference for hardworking Missourians," Kinder added.

The Kansas City Star's Jason Noble notes that while House Speaker Ron Richard also issued a statement critical of the bonding initiative Tuesday, he supported a similar plan which passed the House earlier this year.

NRSC Backs Blunt

ENDORSEMENT TRAIN KEEPS ROLLING

The U.S. Senate Minority Leader and the Senate GOP campaign arm has thrown their support behind Roy Blunt's 2010 campaign.

The backing from Sen. Mitch McConnell and National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) chair John Cornyn follows a flurry of endorsements for Blunt during a month where he's focused on uniting the Republican establishment around his U.S. Senate campaign.

"Throughout his tenure in Congress and during the early days of this campaign, Congressman Roy Blunt has demonstrated that he understands the difficult issues facing the people of Missouri," said Cornyn in a statement. "While the likely Democrat nominee prefers to remain silent or undecided on the challenges confronting our country, Roy Blunt is - as he always has - providing critical leadership at home and in Washington."

The Blunt campaign said that this is only the 2nd open seat endorsement by the NRSC in the country.

That the Blunt campaign is even touting this endorsement is telling of the position they knew they were in just months ago when it heard dissatisfaction from conservatives and felt the pressure of numerous primary threats.

ALSO: Later Monday, the Blunt campaign announced the endorsement of Cape Girardeau State Senator Jason Crowell. "In his public service Roy has always represented Missouri's common sense, conservative values, supporting limited government and fiscal responsibility," Sen. Crowell said in a statement.

Crowell becomes the 19th of 23 Senate Republicans who have endorsed Blunt.

Asked about the timing of his endorsement Crowell told The Notebook: "I didn't want to during session and I wanted to talk to Roy Blunt first. I got to this weekend and he earned my support."

Crowell said he was not waiting for another potential candidate to enter the race: "I have had no conversations with Sarah Steelman and she did not factor in," adding jokingly,"and no i was not thinking of running."

AND: The Carnahan campaign sent out a release to donors today, attempting to capitalize on a weekend "GOP pig roast."

On Saturday, Blunt was quoted saying that a vote for Carnahan would be like a vote for "her friends that are pro-abortion, or anti-Second Amendment, or environmental extremists."

Wrote Carnahan Finance Director Emily Elbert: "In Robin's email on Friday, she talked about moving past the partisan bickering and finding real solutions for Missouri's families, not the big special interests invested in the status quo. Well, this weekend Republican insiders who also happen to be big supporters of pork-barrel spending went to a pig-roast and proved her point. Lloyd Smith, Peter Kinder and Congressman Roy Blunt attacked Robin with the same old mudslinging we're all so sick of hearing. CLICK TO HELP ROBIN FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE PARTISAN ATTACKS!"

The second quarter fundraising deadline is tomorrow.

Another Nixon Donor Wins A Fee Office

Another campaign contributor to Gov. Jay Nixon has been awarded a license fee office -- and Republicans are calling foul.
***
On Friday, the Department of Revenue announced three new bids for contracts in Bolivar, Savannah and St. Charles. Ken Kielty of Kielty Enterprises Inc. has been awarded the St. Charles office. The Missouri GOP has identified $18,435 in contributions to Nixon from entities linked to Kielty during the 2008 cycle.

The Notebook identified $5,000 in contributions from the 1009 Devonshire Lane address that Kielty is most often associated with.

The Department of Revenue released the bids Friday afternoon, which is widely as a viewed as a way to bury unfavorable news. But the GOP release came Monday afternoon.

"Burying stories by sending out press releases on a Friday afternoon is the oldest trick in the book," said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. "For the second consecutive week, Jay Nixon attempted to avoid criticism by announcing as late as possible on a Friday that he had rewarded a major campaign contributor with a license office. Nixon clearly knows that his actions fly in the face of his pledge to clean up the process, but instead of actually fixing the problem, he is simply trying to hide it," Smith added.

By the state GOP's calculation, license offices have been awarded to people who have given around $80,000 in campaign contributions to Nixon.

ALSO: T & J Stark Enterprises LLC has been awarded the contract to operate the Bolivar License Office. The company is affiliated with the current office agent, Karen Jean Stark, who has been the agent since 2005. The office will move to a new location at 450 S. Main Ave. (Southgate Center Mall).

Monday Fun

The latest cartoon from the Missouri Record has a little fun with us & Twitter.

Check out all of the Record's cartoons by clicking HERE.

Week 24: Nixon's Grade

NIXON'S WEEK 24 GRADE: A -

After Gov. Jay Nixon announced $430 million dollars in cuts and restrictions from the 2010 state budget, the Missouri Republican Party accused him of "mismanagement." But it appears that Nixon was able to swing his ax without the tree falling back on him. Vetoes are never pleasant. They are a test of priorities. But while there was the expected disappointment and grumbling, Nixon seemed to dodge major fallout from his decisions. When Nixon cut $4.5 million for a business incubator in Southeast Missouri, the dean of the business school told the Southeast Missourian, "it's disappointing, and we understand the situation." When Nixon sliced $10 million for a highway interchange in Jefferson City, the local Chamber of Commerce didn't seem surprised, calling the project "a long-shot." KBIA even quoted a sympathetic Sen. Gary Nodler, explaining that cuts were needed due to deteriorating revenues. Heck, he even shrunk government, firing 200 more employees (isn't that conservative?). And the Governor even flexed some muscle by vetoing MoDOT money in retaliation for taxpayer financed poll the agency used to show support for the motorcycle helmet law. It's not that the cuts aren't without local consequences, it's that most people seem to be giving Nixon a pass. The economy is rough, so the state has to tighten its belt. Even the Governor talked about rolling the dice and praying "our budget turns around." But he quickly added, "Frankly, that is the exact type of thinking that has landed so many other states in the dire straits they find themselves in today." Oh, and one more thing: Nixon made his cuts the day Michael Jackson died. As a media savvy friend of mine concluded, "Most regular people won't know about it, and the rest will forget."