Together Again

THE JAY & MATT SHOW

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

A Candidate Running for Governor . . .

A Governor Defending His Legacy . . .

Both in Springfield Thursday

Gov. Blunt Will Sign A Bill That Will Allow A New Certification Option for Teachers at 10:15 a.m.

Jay Nixon Will Unveil His Higher Ed Plan For The Second Time at 2:30 p.m.

Spence Back in The Saddle

"He did not have to be convinced."

Former Blunt administration communications czar Spence Jackson has joined Sarah Steelman's campaign for Governor as its top spokesperson.

Jackson will replace Doug Gaston, who will return to his duties in the Treasurer's office, after receiving criticism for juggling political and government duties.

The 37-year-old Springfield native has lots of experience in the spin zone (that's a compliment, right?). It's not widely known that one of Jackson's first political experiences was volunteering for David Steelman's campaign for Attorney General. Jackson went on to become Sen. Kit Bond's field director in 1998, and he helped Matt Blunt become Secretary of State in 2000 and Governor in 2004. Steelman's release notes, "In the 2000 election, Jackson was stationed in St. Louis and also oversaw a successful field effort that helped Blunt become the only statewide Republican candidate to win St. Louis County."

"We called him on Monday, he took it Tuesday. He did not have to be convinced," said a Springfield Steelman fundraiser with close ties to the campaign. "The guy's the best in the state for press. He was number one on everybody's draft board," he added.

When asked if Jackson is a Blunt Republican or a Steelman Republican, the Steelman backer replied, "I wouldn't say he's one or the other. He's a winner is what he is."

Jackson will officially leave his post at the Missouri Department of Economic Development to take on this campaign role.

He begins Thursday.

And that's great, because we have questions. . .

"They Are Threatening To Burn The House Down"

Rep. Roy Blunt said a plan by Congressional Democrats to bypass several committees and use several unique procedural maneuvers to deal with $170 billion dollars in war funding is unfair and unrealistic.

CQ Politics has the dizzying details.

Basically, Democrats are looking to separate votes on war and domestic spending -- and then combine them later. Blunt said it's "too cute by half."

"I think they’re doing it partly because they are afraid their ideas won’t stand the test of competing ideas,’’ Blunt said. “They are threatening to burn the House down.”

If Democrats were successful in using this strategy to get the supplemental bill to the president, Bush would surely veto it, and Republicans would sustain the veto, Blunt said. That would force Congress to take up the bill again in June.

A.G. Office To Blunt: We've Sent Documents

The Attorney General's office is responding to the Blunt administration's claim that Jay Nixon hasn't turned over documents and e-mails asked for in a Sunshine request.

"The Attorney General's office has already provided thousands of pages of documents to both the Missouri Republican Party and the Governor's office, and we are continuing to process their request for additional documents," said Attorney General office spokesperson John Fougere.

Yesterday, the Blunt administration accused Nixon's office of not fulfilling its request.

For They Will Come

Sen. Claire McCaskill tells The Politico that the majority of uncommitted superdelegates on Capitol Hill are privately backing Barack Obama.

“The majority of superdelegates I’ve talked to are committed, but it is a matter of timing,” said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.). “They’re just preferring to make their decision public after the primaries are over. ... They would like someone else to act for them before they talk about it in the cold light of day.”

When asked which way those undecided supers are leaning, McCaskill replied, "James Brown would say, ‘I Feel Good.’”

Missouri's top Obama-backer also noted that the campaigns have all but given up lobbying Senators because they know their minds are made up.

The 5% Solution?

DEBATE OVER MANDATING BIODIESEL
AG, OIL INTERESTS FACE OFF

House Transportation Cmt. Proceeds With Caution
Petroleum Pipeline Company: "Don't force us to make a bad investment."
Soybean Association: "We add to fuel supply, while reducing the cost of feed for famers, as well as food for consumers."
Rep. Charlie Denison: "I'm not sure this bill will get us a lower price in diesel fuel."
MINNESOTA THE ONLY OTHER STATE WITH SIMILAR MANDATE . . .
. . . and Diesel Has Proven to be Cheaper Than Biodiesel Every Day, according to Magellan Midstream Partners
WATCH MY KY3 NEWS @ 6 REPORT HERE

The arguments FOR the 5% biodiesel mandate: Reducing the carbon footprint, biofuels lower the price of gas by 15% according to Merill Lynch, crushing soybeans will help make farmer feed more economical, mandate only kicks in if price of biodiesel blend is lower than diesel, mandate would bring uniform standards to biofuel and improve quality, boon to soybean industry struggling with new trans-fat standard in foods, would open the market to challege oil companies hold on market.

The arguments AGAINST the 5% mandate: Mandates distort the free-marketplace, costs too high to put infastructure in place to handle biodiesel blend, biodiesel proven to be very expensive, and therefore never may be used, private companies may decide to forgo costs and stop shipping or selling diesel altogether, if a terminal runs out of biodiesel - what do you do?, too much is still unknown about the price of biodiesel and its stability, companies forced to comply with mandate may pass cost on to the consumer.

Ike Backs Hil'

TIME's HALPERIN SNAGS IT

The Missouri Democrat and superdelegate announces he’s picking the New York Senator because of her support in rural America, commitment to national security.
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is the last of state’s four Democrats in Congress to endorse.

Paging Jay Nixon . . .?

Blunt Slaps Nixon Again on Sunshine

TURNING THE TABLES WITH A TONGUE-LASHING

Governor Matt Blunt is threatening Attorney General Jay Nixon with a lawsuit if he doesn't comply with a Sunshine request issued to his office.

The Blunt administration made the request for e-mails and documents from Nixon's office on March 12, and on Tuesday it again ratcheted up its threat of legal action.

The governor’s office says its request for e-mails and back-up tapes remains largely unfulfilled. "Additionally, the Attorney General’s office has failed to provide documents related to Nixon’s e-mail retention policies prior to August 2007. The governor’s office has sent another letter to Nixon’s office in the hope that he will comply with the Sunshine Law," reads the Blunt release.

“We are very disappointed that Jay Nixon has failed to fully respond to our request, especially given all the sound and fury that has been coming from his office on the subject of e-mail and the Sunshine Law,” said the governor’s Chief of Staff Trish Vincent. “It is becoming increasingly apparent based on Jay Nixon’s response that he likes to shine the light on everyone else, but slams his door shut when anyone tries to shine the light on what is happening in his office. This office has issued limited and straightforward requests for public records and we expect Jay Nixon to produce these records promptly and without delay," added Vincent.

Young Dem Delegates To Denver

While the presidential nominee of their party is still unknown, 11 Young Democrats of Missouri are sure that they will be heading to Denver this summer to serve as pledged delegates at the Democratic National Convention.

"This is the year of the young voter," said Sam Hodge, the National Political Director for the College Democrats of America and a pledged delegate for Clinton from the 9th Congressional District. "Young people have become a potent political force across the state by organizing events, canvassing and volunteering for democratic candidates. We ran to be pledged delegates because we believed in the Democratic Party's message. We've become more involved and more invested in the outcome."

Matt Adler, a senior at Washington University and a pledged delegate for Obama, said in a press release, "We deserve a voice in the democratic party. We've come out in record numbers in Missouri and across the country to support democratic candidates. Young people want and deserve a voice in the process."

Stephen Eisele will be the Young Democratic delegate from the 7th Congressional District.

3 Percent . . . Will Have To Pay The Rent

Missouri state workers will get a 3 percent pay raise next year -- not the flat raise passed by the House and supported by union workers.

House and Senate budget negotiators agreed on the 3% pay hike Tuesday, to begin with the new state budget July 1.

The House had supported a flat $1,056 pay raise for all employees. That would have given lower-income workers more money than the 3 percent increase backed by the Senate and Gov. Matt Blunt. Watch what some workers think of the 3 percent plan HERE.

Not Vin Diesel . . .

. . . BIO - DIESEL

The Debate Over A Mandate

Tonight on KY3 News @ 5 & 6

It's Beautiful This Time of Year

ON THE ROAD . . .

To Jefferson City Tuesday

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION CMT. HEARING ON BIODIESEL

Should Missouri Mandate 5 percent Biodiesel Blend?

Soybean, Agriculture, Dairy & Environmental Interests expected to testify at Early Bird Hearing Tuesday

***DEVELOPING . . .

CHECK BACK LATER TUESDAY FOR UPDATES

"3 Percent . . . Won't Pay The Rent"

STATE WORKERS PROTEST 3% PAY HIKE

FAVOR FLAT-RATE PLAN, PASSED BY HOUSE

"Listen Blunt . . . Do You Hear?"

GOVERNOR, SENATE BACK 3% PLAN

Union Worker: "If you make $100,000, you get a $3,000 raise. If you make $30,000 or less, like all of us, you get about $800."

Sen. Purgason: "The problem with the flat rate is that it persuades people not to move into management."

Blunt spokesperson: "The state becomes less competitive in the labor market because of smaller increases in the positions difficult to fill."

WATCH MY KY3 NEWS @ 6 REPORT HERE

LeVota Downplays Ruling, Blunt Offers Praise

A Supreme Court ruling Monday that found the federal Constitution does not prohibit states from requiring voters to show photo identification at their polling place won't have much impact in Missouri, according to House Minority Leader Paul LeVota.

LeVota said that's because Missouri's Supreme Court based its 2006 decision striking down the photo-ID law on the state constitution.

“In invalidating the Missouri law, the state Supreme Court said that Article VIII, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution unequivocally guarantees the right of all legally registered Missouri voters to cast ballots and that the General Assembly may not impose additional requirements, such as photo ID, that aren’t specified in the state constitution," LeVota said in a statement.

“As the Missouri Supreme Court noted in declaring the 2006 law unconstitutional, not only was there no evidence that voter impersonation at the polls – the only type of election fraud a photo ID requirement could prevent – had occurred in Missouri, there was ample evidence it had not. Efforts to impose photo voter ID in this state remain nothing more than an attempt to disenfranchise certain Missourians under the guise of solving a nonexistent problem," he added.

Meanwhile, Congressman Roy Blunt praised the ruling. "By a convincing majority of six-to-three, the Supreme Court today affirmed a principle the American people have overwhelmingly supported for some time: asking citizens to produce a simple form of identification before voting is neither unreasonable nor unconstitutional – and if it helps impede voter fraud, absolutely necessary to ensure the basic integrity of the democratic process," Blunt said in a statement.

Nixon Pledges To Expand College Scholarships

$61 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM WOULD EXPAND ELIGIBILITY

ESTIMATES 13,000 NEW STUDENTS COULD BENEFIT

Nixon on Higher Ed: "Missouri has moved backwards"

Gov. Blunt: "His numbers do not add up."

PLUS: Nixon campaign answers your questions before you thought of them . . . (See Below)

Attorney General Jay Nixon toured some of the state's largest universities Monday to unveil a $61 million dollar plan aimed at expanding college scholarships for 13,000 additional high school students.

While neither of the major Republican candidates offered a formal response to Nixon's plan, Governor Matt Blunt swiftly lambasted Nixon's record and the cost of his plan.

To expand the number of scholarships, Nixon wants to expand the existing A+ plan, which his campaign said is only available "to only half the state’s high school students." The presumptive Democratic nominee for Governor also wants to offer students a contract which would allow the student to earn a 4-year degree after completing a 2-year degree at a technical or community college, if that student meets certain academic, community service and discipline requirements. A formula will determine which families fit under Nixon's definition of "middle class."

"The Blunt administration slashed $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, the agency responsible for providing low-interest loans to middle-class Missouri families. Under this administration, Missouri ranks last in the nation in higher education funding increases. More high school students are dropping out because they don’t see higher education in their future, and those who do attend college are graduating with more debt than ever," Nixon said. "Missouri is clearly moving in the wrong direction."

The Blunt administration responded today by accusing Nixon of blocking every attempt by the Governor to make college more affordable. “Gov. Blunt’s scholarship budgets quadruple the number of needs-based scholarships for the new Access Missouri program which was created by legislation Jay Nixon urged the governor to veto. The governor’s Access Missouri program is providing 38,994 students with scholarship assistance, compared to the 17,000 Missouri students that were served under the old system," the Blunt administration said in a response. Blunt said if he had vetoed that bill, 5,000 fewer students would be receiving scholarships.

Nixon estimates it will cost $25 million to expand the A+ program by allowing all students who meet A+ criteria to participate in the A+ program, even if their school was not designated an A+ school. Assuming a doubling in participation over the current plan, the Nixon campaign said the new program would cost about $36 million dollars to implement.

The Blunt administration jumped on Nixon's numbers.

“Jay Nixon also offered no plan to pay for this initiative and his numbers do not add up. According to The Associated Press, he said his plan will cost $61 million, but somehow help 26,000 students. That comes to $2,346. Clearly that does not cover a year of college," read the Blunt administration release. “Either the Nixon plan will not help nearly as many students as he claims or it will cost taxpayers far more than he admits.”

In their campaign materials, the Nixon camp also included a Q&A fact sheet with these prepared exchanges:

Q: When Mel Carnahan originally introduced the A+ program, he meant for it to be a pathway to a technical education at a 2-year community or technical college? Doesn’t this program put that original purpose at risk?
A: No. Again, all of the finer details will be worked out with the stakeholders at the table, but Missouri Promise will build upon the existing A+ program without compromising the original intent of the A+ program. We’re not trying to change students minds and say “you have to complete a 4-year degree.”We’re simply giving them that option. What’s more, it will give students who originally had no intention of attending any college an incentive to do so, knowing that their education does not have to end after two years. It can – they have that option. They can decide to find gainful employment using the practical, real-world skills they received at the 2 year college.

Q: You say students have to complete 50 hours of community service. Right now, that requirement is only for students still in High School – are you suggesting that extends to students in college?
A: Yes. Thousands of Missourians give back to the community every day and it’s not too much to ask – if they are receiving a benefit paid for by tax payers – that they contribute to their communities. In order to stay eligible for a Missouri Promise scholarship, students will have to complete 50 hours of community service every year they are in the program.

Q: Some might argue that raising the GPA requirement will not benefit the “at risk” students you seem to be targeting. What would you say to this?
A: There is no doubt our curriculum should be tailored to meet individual learning needs. That being said, this is a tremendous benefit and a student should be willing to work hard for it. Whats more, it provides the incentive at a very early age. If they work hard in high school, they get to go to a community or technical school tuition free. If they work hard on that level, they can make a 4-year dream a reality. As much as I think Missouri needs to do something to put a college education in the hands of more students, I believe more students must learn what it means to have some personal responsibility. I am not looking to give hand-outs – I am looking to reward personal achievement and responsibility and make dreams a reality.

Copper Crack Down

GOVERNOR BLUNT PROPOSES MORE SPECIFIC RECORD-KEEPING FOR SCRAP DEALERS

Legislation Proposed in Response to Copper Thefts

Watch a clip of his comments in Springfield Today HERE

State Workers Plan Monday Rally Over Pay

A group of state workers is expected to hold a rally in West Plains Monday to protest a pay raise package moving through the statehouse.

The communication workers of Local 6355 contend that a pay raise package amended by the state Senate will mostly benefit "insider Jefferson City bureaucrats," and not state workers "on the frontlines."

Organizer Zena Burns said the union workers are planning to rally outside the Department of Social Services office in West Plains between 11 a.m. and noon Monday to show their opposition to the plan.

Governor Matt Blunt has proposed a 3 percent raise for all state workers in his budget request. The Missouri State Workers Union opposes this plan because they claim it "puts more money in the pockets of people at the highest end of the pay scale, leaving little for the front-line workers."

"With many frontline state workers earning poverty level wages already, the smaller raise offered by the Governor would be quickly swallowed up in rising gas prices," said Richard von Glahn of Local 6355 in a press release. "State workers support the bi-partisan House pay raise that evenly distributes the money and gives frontline staff a significant enough increase to help make ends meet," von Glahn added.

The House bill passed in March, but the Senate amended that version.

Burns tells the KY3 Political Notebook that at least a dozen workers in West Plains are planning to use their lunch break to attend the protest. Other similar rallies are planned in different areas in the state, Burns said.

A Huckabee Revival?

Former Arkansas Governor was back in the news Friday as John McCain campaigned in Arkansas. Is Huck back on the veep short-list?

Are we reading too much into this sugar plum from McCain on the StraightTalk Express?

"Governor Huckabee got the votes of millions of Republican voters. That's a very important part of any election process, and I will rely on him for a lot of things. I think he has greater service to render to this nation," McCain said on the bus Friday, with Huckabee sitting right next to him.

Huckabee, who hasn't been running anymore for awhile, won 11% of the Republican vote in Pennsylvania this week.

So will Huck end of having a bigger role in Minneapolis than just a primetime speaking slot?

V.P. pros: Strong with Evangelicals, phenomenal speaker and campaigner, boosts McCain social conservative creds, younger, great with the press, has a band (!)

V.P. cons: Could be uncomfortable with traditional attack dog role, Might really just be positioning himself for another shot in 2012, too funny and quirky to be considered a heavyweight, may turn off some swing voters which could hurt McCain's "independent" brand

By the way, Huck passed on a chance to hit Barack Obama on the Jeremiah Wright fiasco.

"You've got to be a little bit presumptuous to ever assume just because the pastor says something in the pulpit, everybody in the pew agrees with it. That's rarely the case. Influential? Sure. Necessarily transferable? Usually not," Huckabee said.

A generous comment for Huck to make, but does that mean he's not tough enough to pull the knives out against the eventual Democratic nominee?

Harris Posts Video Featuring Supporters

LURIE, STEPP OUT IN FRONT FOR HARRIS

Rep. Jeff Harris is proving himself to be one of the most media-friendly and media-savvy candidates of the 2008 cycle.

Now he's taking advantage of the Internet, putting together clips of video showing why prominent Democrats are backing his candidacy for Attorney General. The interviews were compiled at Springfield's Jackson Days last weekend.

Watch it HERE.

"He's very sincere, you don't have to worry about what he tells you," says Laclede County Democratic Chair Elizabeth Greer.

"I know the kind of work he did in the state legislature," says former Greene County Party Chair Steve Stepp. "I know the fight that he put up against the Republican majority the last few years."

"He's smart, wonderful background, great family," says Bobbie Lurie, of the 7th Congressional District.

McCaskill Concerned With Air Force Contract

Sen. Claire McCaskill is asking the Secretary of Defense to hold senior Air Force officers accountable for a contract given to a civilian friend of top officials.

The Washington Post details the account HERE.

A report raises questions about how a retired 4-star general received a $50 million dollar contract to update an air show, despite much higher bids from others.

"I am particularly concerned with the actions of Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley and the dismissive and demoralizing message it sends to subordinates when there is a lack of disciplinary action taken against the most senior leaders," McCaskill wrote to Secretary of Defense Gates.

McCaskill also wrote a stern letter yesterday to Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne.

"It is incomprehensible to me that no action has been taken to reprimand General Moseley or to evaluate his continued fitness to lead the Air Force," McCaskill wrote.

McCaskill also appears in Friday's Post about her bill aimed at strengthening the independence of the government's inspectors general.

The Senate approved a bill that would set job qualifications for inspectors general, allow Congress to determine if an agency was trying to punish an IG by cutting his or her budget and ensure that all audits and investigative reports are posted on agency Web sites within three workdays, according the Post piece.

"This bill is key to preserving the IGs' role as government watchdogs and making sure they can do their job of rooting out waste in this country," Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said in a statement.

Wedge

COORDINATED OFFENSE?

"What we've done, is not extreme."
BLUNT, HULSHOF TOUT TORT REFORM RESULTS
Governor urges media "to press candidates on this issue"
Then . . . Hulshof hits Steelman, Nixon for "Silence"

Governor Matt Blunt highlighted what he dubbed the "significant achievements" of lawsuit reform legislation Thursday that passed during his first year in office, revealing statistics that show dramatic drops in court claims against doctors.

Blunt said since his tort reform initiative became law, total claims against Missouri physicians have dropped a staggering 61 percent. The Governor also urged the public and media to "press elected officials and candidates for office on this issue," in order to "elect good supporters of lawsuit reform."

Shortly after Blunt's Springfield press conference, Republican candidate for Governor Kenny Hulshof sent out a press release attacking his main rivals "silence" on the issue. The Hulshof campaign said you won't hear Republican Sarah Steelman or Democrat Jay Nixon praise the results of tort reform because "each candidate has hundreds of thousands of reasons to keep silent in the form of campaign donations from trial lawyers."

"Although trial lawyers are traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party in Missouri, their donations serve as a lifeline for both Nixon and Steelman. And it’s no wonder. Trial lawyers see the opportunity to create a “win-win” scenario by pitting Nixon against Steelman in the general election, which would guarantee that a proponent of lawsuit abuse would once again reside in the Governor’s Mansion," reads the campaign release, in its toughest attack since Hulshof entered the race.

Seizing on the Blunt administration's statistics, the Hulshof campaign seems poised to use tort reform as a pivotal wedge issue in its primary campaign against Steelman.

“Tort reform has empowered small businessmen, created jobs and kept doctors in our state,” Hulshof spokesman Scott Baker said. “Kenny Hulshof is the only candidate in this race who supports the common sense reforms that have put an end to out-of-control lawsuit abuse. Kenny will preserve these gains and will not be bought out by the trial lawyer lobby," Baker added.

Beyond the 61 percent drop in total claims against doctors between 2005 and 2006, Blunt said general surgeons, emergency room doctors and OB-GYNs have all seen claims drop by more than 70 percent since he signed lawsuit reform. The cost of the average settlement also fell 14 percent, according to Blunt.

Blunt said that while critics labeled his changes as "extreme," the proof is in the numbers. (Watch clip above.) He said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates that Missouri has moved up from 41st to 34th on the scale of "best legal climates" in the country. He called his policy "reasonable, logical and fair."

The main components of Blunt's tort reform include restrictions on where cases can be tried and limits on awards for punitive damages. The law limits non-economic damages in medical liability cases to $350,000.

Blunt said the next Governor will need to be vigilant in "responding to court decisions" that are difficult to predict.

Blunt Says Ethanol Not Tied to Higher Prices

HULSHOF, STEELMAN & NIXON ALL BACK MANDATE

Steelman Shows Most Concern Over Future Impact

Gov. Matt Blunt dismissed concerns Thursday that ethanol production is leading to higher livestock feed prices for Missouri farmers, calling the argument "illogical."

Watch my KY3 News @ 10 report HERE.

A House committee is considering legislation to repeal Blunt's mandate that requires all gas to include 10 percent ethanol. Rep. Mike Dethrow, the bill's sponsor, has called his vote for the mandate "a mistake." Some area farmers agree.

"I think its too much, too quick," said David McCroskey, a dairy and beef management consultant who works with Ozarks farmers. "Right now, more mandatory ethanol use, means more corn use, that doesn't go towards feed and food for our people. We've seen our feed prices, the biggest part driven by corn --- double in the past two years," McCroskey said.

Blunt dismissed that claim, calling it "not logical." He said all commodities --- not just corn --- are rising because of higher energy and fertilizer costs as well as increased worldwide demand.

"They'd be paying even more without the mandate," Blunt said. "It's about $40 a year saved last year because of ethanol," he added. "I think the E-10 mandate or requirement is totally disconnected from the surge in worldwide demand for food prices."

Gary Clark of the Missouri Corn Growers Association noted that the price of grain is not even set in Missouri and reiterated that a repeal "would have zero impact on the price in Missouri."

"We are overproducing corn to meet the need here, corn supply is not the problem," Clark said. He also pointed to a study commissioned by the Corn Growers Association that showed gas would be 9 to 10 cents higher without ethanol.

"We're all upset about the economy right now. The livestock industry is having a tough time, we acknowledge that. But some people are getting the wrong impression," Clark said.

The three leading candidates for Governor all support Blunt's mandate --- and oppose an attempt at a repeal.

"When you talk about the price of ethanol, a lot of things go into it, corn is one, but you've got the weak dollar, exports, weather . . . many, many factors going into it," said Kenny Hulshof's campaign spokesman Scott Baker. "Ethanol is a very small part," he said, noting that Hulshof supports the mandate. He said Hulshof believes ethanol technology "is still in its infant stages, and thinks its important to enhance the market for continued research."

Baker points to this report which quotes a Merrill Lynch analyst who says world oil prices would be 15% higher without the expansion of biofuels.

Hulshof's rival for the Republican nomination, Sarah Steelman, said she's concerned about mandates, but supports this one in the short run.

"As an economist, I am very concerned about the use of mandates in a free market system," Steelman said. "However, the consequences of our nation's continued dependence on foreign oil are so far ranging and serious, that I support mandates in the short run to help establish a market for renewable fuels," she added.

Presumptive Democratic nominee for Governor Jay Nixon also supports the 10% ethanol requirement.

"Ethanol development has been beneficial to our economy and Jay Nixon supports keeping the mandate in place," said campaign spokesperson Oren Shur. "In doing so, we must be mindful of our family farmers who are struggling with the rising prices of everything from fuel to food. If the state can afford to give $95 million dollar in tax credits to one big developer, we certainly have the resources to invest in ethanol and give our family farmers the support they need," Shur added.

Boon or Doggle?

SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT ETHANOL

Ozarks Lawmakers Sign on to Repeal Mandate

Reps. Wallace, Pollock, Denison Agree

Cite Rising Food, Farm Prices

HULSHOF SUPPORTS KEEPING MANDATE

Hulshof Campaign: "If you look at everything that goes into the price of corn, ethanol is but a small part."

DEVELOPING . . .

Steelman Nabs Fmr. Blunt Operative

Sarah Steelman’s campaign for Governor announced today it has added a new advisor to its team who did political work for Governor Matt Blunt.

James Harris has signed on with Steelman.

Steelman’s campaign praised Harris’s success as a campaign operative and grassroots strategist saying Harris would “bring the kind of knowledge, experience and strategic contacts that will help Sarah Steelman get her message to hard working Missourians all across the state.”


“Treasurer Steelman is ideally positioned to continue Governor Blunt’s legacy of job creation, respect for life and traditional marriage, and a commitment to main street values. She is a dedicated social conservative who understands that strong families are the backbone of Missouri as well as a strong fiscal conservative who believes in economic freedom as the foundation of prosperity. Sarah will do more than any other candidate in the field to unite Missourians from all backgrounds and regions of the state. We are entering a challenging time for our economy, and will be in great need of leaders who will live by Alexander Hamilton’s maxim that ‘power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.’ I am confident Treasurer Steelman will ensure taxes on Missourians stay low because she recognizes that important financial decisions should be made by our families and not by bureaucrats in Jefferson City.'" Harris said in a statement.

The Steelman campaign cited Harris’s experience winning contentious primaries and his experience as one of Governor Matt Blunt’s top campaign operative as reasons for bringing Harris to the team. According to campaign spokesperson Doug Gaston, “James did a tremendous job of turning out voters for Matt Blunt in 2004, and had put together an impressive operation for Blunt’s re-election campaign. We look forward to his leadership.”

Line of the Day

"If you can't beat a guy like this in a year like this, with a vastly unpopular Republican war still ongoing and a Republican recession looming, what precisely is the point of you?"

---Journalist John Heilemann in New York magazine writing about the relevancy of the Democratic Party if it loses to John McCain in November. His April piece is entitled "Is John McCain Bob Dole?"

Blunt Pushes For Phone Company Immunity

House Republicans are trying to persuade their Democratic colleagues to rewrite a law that would grant immunity to telecommunication companies that cooperated with allegedly illegal government spying.

Yesterday, a group of Republican leaders began circulating a discharge petition to begin acquiring the necessary 218 signatures to force a vote.

"More than 66 days have passed since House Democrats allowed a key piece of terrorist surveillance legislation to expire--not because they had concerns with the bill, but because they were seemingly more concerned that not enough trial lawyers would be able to file enough expensive and frivolous lawsuits against U.S. telecom firms," Republican whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said in a statement, as reported by CNET News.com.


Blunt was referring to the House's decision to let a temporary expansion of the spy law known as the Protect America Act, which Congress passed hurriedly last summer, lapse.

Clinton's "November" Case

SPRINGFIELD BACKER BOOSTS HIL'

QUEEN CITY ATTORNEY ANGELA ACREE EXPLAINS CLINTON'S APPEAL TO RURAL VOTERS AND WHY SHE'S MORE ELECTABLE IN THE FALL

"I think she talks with them, instead of give speeches to them."

***WATCH CLIP ABOVE***

Skelton Blocking Bi-Partisan Nursing Bill

The Politico reports that the House Armed Services Committee Chairman is blocking a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the nation's nursing shortage because he fears it may hurt the Army.

The "Troops to Nurse Teachers Act" is backed by Democrats like Sen. Richard Durbin and Republicans like Sen. Elizabeth Dole. But not Ike.

Rep. Ike Skelton is concerned that some of the proposals would take midcareer-level nurses out of the Army, where there's also a shortage.

“What we’re hoping for is for the secretary [of defense] to study the issue and develop a plan," said Lara Battles, Armed Services Committee spokesperson. Battles noted that the military itself has a nursing shortage. Indeed, some studies show its vacancy rate is higher than that of the nation at large. Skelton is worried that military nurses might be enticed into a university career.

McCaskill Won't Ever Tell Clinton To Drop Out

ROAD TO AN ENDGAME?

McCaskill To KY3: "I think there's a lot of superdelegates . . .
who don't want to say who they're for."
ON MSNBC TODAY: "There will be controversies about the Clintons that will also be an issue in November."

Sen. Claire McCaskill refused to say under what circumstance Hillary Clinton should get out of the presidential race, but added that despite her win, the math remains unforgiving.

"Somebody needs to explain how the math works," McCaskill told KY3 News.

Missouri's junior senator was again on the front of the battlelines the day after, appearing on MSNBC mid-day Wednesday.

"Those superdelegates are paying very close attention and they know a couple of things. They know that Barack Obama's candidacy has excited a whole new generation of voters for our party. They know that Barack Obama has competed under the rules in every state for every delegate, and is winning and will win the pledged delegates. And frankly, to take this away from a candidate under those circumstances would be a brazen move for a party that cherishes the fact that we want everyone to participate," McCaskill said.

"It was always her state, we narrowed the gap, there were no independent voters that were allowed to vote yesterday, and that's one of Barack Obama's strengths," McCaskill added.

On what happens if Clinton takes the popular vote: "I'm not sure that Senator Clinton can come out ahead in popular votes, especially if we're counting the states that played by the rules, as opposed to states that knowingly violated the rules in the way they held primaries," McCaskill said.

On the possibility of Obama going negative: "It's a very difficult decision . . . People do need to remember there will be controversies about the Clintons that will also be an issue in November."

Considerable, Sizable, Defendable

CLINTON 55%, OBAMA 45%
THE PENNSYLVANIA FINAL

Senator Hillary Clinton's victory in Pennsylvania Tuesday night was sizable and significant enough to continue her campaign at least another two weeks.

However you slice it or spin it, this was a very good night for the scrappy Senator from New York. Putting it plainly, Obama got clobbered and there it's reason enough to question whether the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination has a problem attracting working class white men within the core of the country.

I spoke to Senator Claire McCaskill following the Obama loss to ask her whether Democrats should be concerned about her candidate's ability to win important states. I pressed her on the electability issue. Could it be that Clinton is more electable than Obama in blue-collar working class states? Will Republican nominee John McCain be able to snatch up some of these Clinton voters if Obama is the nominee. Watch part 2 of the exchange above.

McCaskill Reacts To Obama Loss

NOVEMBER . . . DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM?

McCaskill says "it's spin" to say Obama can't win a big state . . . she then defends his electability in the general against John McCain . . . "All these polls are taken while John McCain is running positive ads, meanwhile Hillary Clinton is trying to throw nails in front of the bus."

WATCH EXCHANGE ABOVE

Let's Keep Playin'

SCRAPPY CLINTON KEEPS ON TRUCKIN'

Asks Supporters to logon to HillaryClinton.com to donate

2 WEEKS UNTIL NORTH CAROLINA, INDIANA

WATCH the best lines from her victory speech ABOVE

NBC: It's Clinton

Called @ 7:49 p.m.

Now, about that margin . . .

We Wait

THE PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY

MSNBC: "Too Early To Call, But Clinton Taking Lead"

CNN: "Very Competitive"

CBS: "Clinton Leads Obama"

DRUDGE: Clinton 52%, Obama 48%

McCaskill Camp "On Pins and Needles" . . . But Still Lowering Expectations

Claire "Crunching Numbers"

MCCASKILL Expected to Appear Exclusively on KY3 News @ 10 via Satellite

****DEVELOPING . . .

Bentley, Bengsch Sound Off on Governor's Race

REACTION TO HEARING CANDIDATES IN JEFF. CITY

Bentley: "Nixon did a really good job too, I hate to say . . ."

Republican Greene County Commissioners Roseanne Bentley and Harold Bengsch said they liked what they heard from the candidates for Governor about local control and unfunded mandates at a recent event in Jefferson City, but aren't ready to endorse in the G.O.P. primary.

Republicans Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman and Democrat Jay Nixon recently each got to make their pitch to County Commissioners across the state.

Commissioner Bentley thought Hulshof did a bit better than Steelman, because of the time of day he spoke and his openness to receiving questions. "Kenny had an edge, simply because he spoke during the lunch hour, while she spoke later," Bentley told the KY3 Political Notebook.

"Basically they spoke about the same things, but I thought her reluctance to take questions put Kenny at a stronger advantage," Bentley said.

Bentley liked what Hulshof had to say about unfunded mandates and dealing with state prison populations. Commissioner Bengsch only got to hear Hulshof speak and said he indicated he supported "good local control, as opposed to taking it away."

"We're very interested in the reimbursement rate counties get for taking care of state prisoners, and Hulshof said he would reimburse at a stronger rate," Bengsch said.

Bentley said Steelman also touched on the topic. "Both did well, and Jay Nixon did a really good job too, I hate to say . . . not being my party," Bentley acknowledged. "He was more energetic and Sarah didn't take questions, and people had questions. I don't know if she had another appointment to go to."

When asked if she was endorsing a candidate, Bentley replied, "I'm in a primary myself, so it's wise for me not to pick. I'm being cautious."

Bengsch said it's hard to really make a decision between Hulshof and Steelman "based on 1 or 2 speeches." "I'm open to listening to what everyone has to say. Obviously, my loyalties are to the Republican Party, but I'm open to everyone," he said.

Bengsch said he would still like to hear more about how candidates would specifically deal with unfunded or partially unfunded mandates and "budgeting on the backs of the local level."

He said a shortened primary season for the Republicans will probably bring both Steelman and Hulshof's positions "under scrutiny much faster."

Harris Claims Victory in First Cancelled Debate

BLAMES DONNELLY & KOSTER FOR GENERATION GAP

Rep. Jeff Harris is declaring victory in the first Democratic Attorney General debate that's been cancelled.

That's because he's the only one of the major three candidates who didn't back out. According to reports, the debate was cancelled because both Rep. Margaret Donnelly and Senator Chris Koster said they could not attend.

"With both Donnelly and Koster yielding the field, Harris’ campaign declared victory in the debate. Whether that victory gets recorded as a 9-0 win like Major League Baseball or 2-0 as in the NFL, the debate tally should clearly reflect that Jeff Harris was the only candidate prepared to face the tough questions and the voters in Northeast Missouri," reads the Harris campaign e-mail.

“All joking aside, the unfortunate losers in this are the Young Democrats and other students at Truman State who worked hard to put this event together, and I am truly disappointed for them. They demonstrated a commitment to democracy and public service that we, as candidates for public office, should honor," Rep. Harris said.

“Senator Koster and Representative Donnelly’s decision to skip this debate is an example of why we have often seen a generation gap within the Democratic Party in historically in voting. I can’t help but wonder if this event had been hosted by the Missouri Bar Association or some other similar organization, that my opponents then would have made the time on their schedules to attend. Since this event was put on by the Young Democrats, they for some reason felt it was OK to snub them," Harris went on.

Harris noted that both Koster and Donnelly had committed to the debate, and should have kept that commitment to all voters, "whether they are eighteen or eighty."

Social Service Workers Back Page

Workers of Missouri's Department of Social Services have endorsed Rep. Sam Page for Lieutenant Governor.

The workers, members of the Communication Workers of America, Local 6355, said Tuesday that access to affordable healthcare was the driving issue in their decision.

"We in Social Services are witness to the daily sufferings of Missourians from the Blunt-Kinder Medicaid cuts three years ago. We have seen enough. We know it is time Missouri headed in a new direction," said Linda Martin, vice-president of the union.

"We are proud to endorse Sam Page for Lt. Governor. He has shown as a State Representative and as a doctor, that he understands the importance of affordable health care. We know that as Lt. Governor, he will fight to bring affordable healthcare to all Missourians."

CWA Local 6355 represents over 7,000 public sector workers in Missouri. Their public sector membership includes workers in the Department of Social Services and Department of Health and Senior Services.

Truman State A.G. Debate Scrapped

As first reported by Jason Rosenbaum at the Columbia Tribune, the Democratic Attorney General debate at Truman State University has been cancelled.

Official word today came from James Lang of the Truman State Young Democrats.

"Due to last minute schedule changes by some of the participants, the Democratic Attorney General primary debate has been cancelled. The event was to held on Thursday, April 24th at 7:30 pm. There are no plans to reschedule the debate at this time," Lang said in a statement.

McCaskill Pre-Spins Pennsylvania

PREDICTS CLINTON WIN, BUT STILL ADDS, "THE MATH IS UNFORGIVING."

SETS 60-DAY CLOCK FOR CLINTON

Sen. Claire McCaskill predicted Hillary Clinton would defeat Barack Obama in Pennsylvania, but that still wouldn't stop the tide of superdelegates marching to Obama's side.

McCaskill made the comments this morning to Brian Williams during MSNBC's all-day coverage of the Pennsylvania primary.

"I think it's making us nervous," McCaskill told Williams about the ongoing primary fight. "I think all Democrats are a little nervous right now about how we end this thing and bring everyone together."

But McCaskill quickly noted that despite what happens Tuesday night, Obama would end up the eventual nominee.

"The math is unforgiving to Senator Clinton and the superdelegate race, frankly, has not been talked about enough," McCaskill said. "Senator Clinton has lost as many superdelegates as she's gained in the last 60 days where Barack Obama has been on a relentless March on superdelegates," she added.

"It's 84 to 5 in the last 60 days," McCaskill said, referring to the superdelegate count.

"I don't think anything in the results tonight in Pennsylvania are going to stop that march of superdelegates to the Barack Obama side," she said.

After calling Clinton a terrific leader and formidable competitor, McCaskill suggested that over the next two months Clinton would decide to end her campaign.

"I think at some point in the next 60 days we will come together and move forward," McCaskill said.

She quickly added that "the more negative Clinton gets," the more it will spur Democratic party leaders into action to try to end the race. "If this begins drifting off into 'let's go after his kneecaps land', and really hurt him permanently for November, I think you're going to see some of the party elders, more importantly a lot of these superdelegates go, 'wait a minute, this isn't what we signed up for,'" McCaskill said.

What's a Win and What's Close Enough?

THE PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY
158 Delegates At Stake
Polls Close @ 7 p.m. Central
1.8 to 2 million Democrats expected to vote
OBAMA: "I'm not predicting a win, I'm predicting it's going to be close."
REAL CLEAR POLITICS AVERAGE: CLINTON +6
(But How Wrong Will the Polls Be?)

LATE NIGHT: DRUDGE SAYS CLINTON INTERNALS SHOW HER UP 11
CLINTON SOURCE: "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of how much."

WHERE TO WATCH:
Who wins Lackawanna County?
Exurb voters in Lancaster, Allentown, Reading, York
Obama turnout in Philly vs. Clinton's org. in PA's "T"

HOW TO READ THE RESULTS:
Clinton by 10% or more = She's back in the game with the electability argument
Clinton by 6 to 9% = A win is a win, but not the wallop she needed. She stays in, but watch that Obama spin.
Clinton by 1 to 5% = Too close for Hil's comfort, look for some superdelegates to move and say enough's enough
An Obama Win By Any Margin = Yowsers! Fooled Again . . . He's the nominee, and polling firms go back to the drawing board . . . again.

(YET THE OBAMA PEEPS DON'T EXPECT A WIN . . .
HOW DO WE KNOW? SUPER SURROGATE CLAIRE MCCASKILL WILL BE IN WASHINGTON PRIMARY NIGHT --- NOT ON A VICTORY STAGE --- AND OBAMA WILL END THE NIGHT IN . . . INDIANA, PREPARED TO SPIN A NARROW LOSS, AS A WIN)

***TUNE INTO TO KY3 NEWS @ 10 FOR FULL COVERAGE***

Anti-Abortion Bill Clears House

BILL SPLITS SPRINGFIELD REPS ON PARTY LINES

Lampe, Norr Vote "NO"

AT ISSUE: How You Define "Coercing" An Abortion

The State House has passed legislation that abortion opponents say would help expectant parents "choose life" and Planned Parenthood believes would "push women farther into their pregnancy before they are able to obtain an abortion."

The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Shane Schoeller (#139th), passed overwhelmingly. It includes more requirements for clinics and doctors, and is designed to encourage women to seek a variety of options other than abortion. It would also seek to punish individuals for "coercing an abortion." All lawmakers from Southwest Missouri voted to approve the legislation except Democratic Reps. Sara Lampe (138th) and Charlie Norr (137th).

Gov. Matt Blunt commended the House for its work. “Innocent life is not dispensable and we must work with expectant parents to help them choose life," the Governor said.

On the specifics, the bill requires the doctor performing the abortion to provide the woman an opportunity to see an ultrasound, explain to the woman that someone coercing her to get an abortion is illegal and prominently display statements encouraging the woman to contact agencies that help women carry the pregnancy to term.

"These long, checklist bills contain numerous new, burdensome and duplicative requirements for counseling, evaluating, and performing abortion procedures that—according to the proponents—are to ‘protect women,'" said Kellie Rohrbaugh of Planned Parenthood. "In reality, these burdens will likely push women farther into their pregnancy before they are able to obtain the abortion. In addition, the bills create the new felony crime of 'coercing an abortion' and remove decision-making entirely from the woman seeking the procedure," Rohrbaugh added.

“This particular measure is only one piece of a larger agenda backed by groups who are working toward an all-out ban on abortion care in Missouri," she said.

Opponents of the bill are most upset about the definition of coercion, and the liability of parents, relatives and healthcare providers if they urge a woman to have an abortion.

Under this legislation, a person is guilty of coercing an abortion if he or she conspires to commit an unlawful act against the woman or her family, abuses the woman, terminates her employment or revokes or threatens to revoke a scholarship.

Women Unite For Equal Pay

Sen. Claire McCaskill is joining fellow Senate female Democrats tomorrow to renew their call for passage of the Fair Pay Restoration Act.

The Hotline notes that while the contentious presidential primary has divided the women of the Senate, the Fair Page Restoration Act (S. 1843) has brought them together.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski is set to speak on the issue at 9 a.m. central tomorrow, followed by Sens. Patty Murray, McCaskill and Klobuchar. The legislation would ensure equal pay for women and minorities in the workforce and overturn a Supreme Court ruling that workers must sue for pay discrimination within 180 days of the pay-setting decision.

Blunt Renews Death Penalty Call For Child Rapists

SEN. JACK GOODMAN JOINS IN SUPPORT

GOV. BLUNT: "THE WORST CRIMES DESERVE THE MOST SERIOUS PUNISHMENTS"

***DEVELOPING . . .

A week after the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for lethal injections, Governor Matt Blunt renewed his call for state lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow the death penalty for child rapists.

Blunt made his announcement on the steps on the Greene County courthouse with Rep. Shane Schoeller and Senator Jack Goodman. Blunt wants to allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty in cases of rape and sodomy when the victim is younger than 12 years old. The Governor referred to a recent case in Springfield where a 36-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping, raping and sodomizing a 7-year-old girl.

"Those evil predators who rob our children of their youth and innocence deserve the most serious punishment we can deliver both as a matter of justice and as a matter of deterrence," Blunt said.

Currently, five states have laws that allow capital punishment for a violent offender convicted of rape. Four other states are considering it.

VIDEO: More on Hulshof's Ethics Plan

This aired on KY3 News @ 6 on Friday

Would've had it up Friday, but had some technical issues . . .

Better Late Than Never . . .

***Make sure to check up the boffo reporter standup engineered by super-photographer Doug Magditch . . . and an appearance from Lt. Gov candidate Mike Carter

Blunt Responds To Nixon's Jackson Day Barbs

The Blunt administration is responding to some of the barbs thrown around by Attorney General Jay Nixon at Saturday's Jackson Days in Springfield.

Blunt communications staffer Rich Chrismer said the claims Nixon made about Matt Blunt not living in the Governor's Mansion are false. Chrismer also took issue with a joke Nixon made about a raccoon living in the residence.

"As a member of Gov. Blunt's staff, I am in a position to know where he lives and for Jay Nixon's information he lives in the Governor's Mansion. I have had the privilege of visiting the Blunt's residence on the second floor.The governor and Mrs. Blunt love living in this historic home and they not only live there, their son William Branch is enrolled at preschool in Jefferson City," Chrismer said.

Chrismer added that the Blunt's love of Springfield prompts them to return there on some weekends, holidays and part of the summer. "Missouri is a big and diverse state and the governor also believes in keeping a busy travel schedule so he can interact with and listen to Missourians where they live," Chrismer added.

"As for the raccoon, Jay Nixon got that wrong, too. It was discovered while the Blunt's were at the Mansion. The governor pardoned it and ordered its release to a state park. We recognize that Jay Nixon is running for office and that politicians say a lot of things to try and get elected, but Missourians need to know that Nixon is not telling the truth about the governor's mansion," Chrismer closed.

Nixon Makes Promises

***85th ANNUAL JACKSON DAYS***
ONE MORE SERIOUS THAN THE OTHER

Attorney General Jay Nixon made two big promises to voters Saturday night, if he's elected Governor this November.

The presumptive Democratic nominee for Governor pledged to live in the Governor's mansion and provide access to healthcare for all children within his first budget.

On a serious note, Nixon promised that "every child born in the state of Missouri will have healthcare -- every single one."

On a lighter note, Nixon also poked fun at the current Governor's living preferences, and how "no body's been in the Governor's mansion." Nixon recalled a story of how workers recently found a raccoon in the Governor's mansion in Jefferson City. "If I was living in a house and a raccoon was living with me for three years, I might notice it," Nixon said. "If elected, we make the outlandish promise . . . we will live in your Governor's mansion," Nixon added to applause.

Nixon also suggested the politics of this election year might force him to take up a tradition followed by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. "He takes his dog to work. If we don't get the House and Senate back, I might have to do the same," Nixon said.

He then urged the crowd to remember two things: "Be kind to dogs, and always vote Democratic."

Pick The Caption

***85th ANNUAL JACKSON DAYS***
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan & Attorney General Jay Nixon
WHAT WERE THEY WHISPERING?

A) "You're just lucky I didn't Obama you."

B) "The vegetable medley here is delightful, don't you think?"

C) "You do realize my last name's Carnahan . . . right?"

D) "So really, who'd you rather run against, Steelman or Hulshof?"

E) "Did you hear about the new champagne bar opening in Springfield tonight? I mean, why not celebrate early? If we can't win this year, we might as well fold up our party tent and go home."

F) "So Jay, you're still totally sure you really want this Governor thing huh? I hear it's really not all that it's cracked up to be."

Blogga Please!

***85th ANNUAL JACKSON DAYS***
PUT IN MY PLACE

The Democratic candidate for the #139th legislative district tracked me down Saturday night to set the record straight. Weeks back at the end of candidate filing, I wrote that candidate Janet Adams was a political unknown. Adams objected and (playfully, and in good fun) gave me an earful about it at Jackson Days Saturday.

"I am politically known young man. And I'm going to make you eat your words," Adams told me in the ballroom of the Clarion Hotel Saturday night.

After being reassured by Adams and several of her backers, I stand corrected. Adams tells the KY3 Political Notebook she's been a longtime active Democrat in the Willard area. "She's one of the best known Democrats up there," another Democrat told me.

Adams, who handled my misjudgment much better than many politicians would, said she didn't mean to give me such a hard time. Then, without hesitating, added, "I'm 65 years old. I can do whatever I want."

When I asked about her chances in the 139th district against Republican Rep. Shane Schoeller, she acknowledged an uphill battle, but pledged "to make it interesting."

She already has. Here's to Janet Adams, for being cool to a reporter who loves learning new pieces of information about the political scene every day -- and doesn't mind being put in his place if need be.

Match The Quote With The Candidate

***85th ANNUAL JACKSON DAYS***

(Hint: If you read earlier posts, you should be primed for this pop quiz)

1) "I am a Democrat who knows how to find Southwest Missouri on a map."

2) "I'm 43 years old, and I'm single."

3) We win when the differences between Democrats and Republicans is clear."

A) Margaret Donnelly B) Jeff Harris C) Chris Koster

Answer to be revealed after the first guess . . . or 24 hours . . .