FIRST ON KY3: Blunt To Announce For U.S. Senate Tomorrow

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Ozarks Congressman Roy Blunt will officially announce his intentions to seek Kit Bond's U.S. Senate seat Thursday morning, according to two Republican sources with knowledge of the delicate planning.

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Blunt's 2010 campaign announcement is set for 9:30 a.m. at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis.

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Blunt is expected to follow-up the St. Louis stop with a statewide flyaround.

Below is the e-mail being sent around among St. Louis area Republicans. The Notebook obtained this e-mail from a St. Louis area Republican:

"Hey! Need bodies at the Harris-Stowe College Library tomorrow morning at 9:30am. Roy Blunt is to make an announcement. Even if you think you know what it is, PLEASE do not talk to media or confirm anything!!!!!!! If you can come, GREAT. We need people there!!!! Thanks for your support," wrote Sharon Barnes, Membership Chairman, MoFRW, Treasurer of RWC of St. Louis and Secretary of the Republican City Central Committee.

One Republican aide says Blunt's move to launch his U.S. Senate bid in St. Louis is smart. "The Ozarks is his base and will be there for him. He has to go where he's weak, which is the cities, and prove he can be their Senator too. That's what Kit Bond did well. He proved to be a good advocate for the big cities and this is a signal that Blunt would be as well."

Multiple sources say this is good timing for Blunt because his announcement will flow well with this weekend's statewide Lincoln Day event in Kansas City.

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