Danforth Supporting Sotomayor, Boosting Blunt

Former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth said he's more energized as a Republican now because the party is focusing on fiscal issues rather than social issues that have divided the party over the years.

In 2005, Danforth was openly critical of the weight evangelical Christians had in the GOP.

"I think it's important not to create a whole political program out of religion. It's important when people do get involved in politics to understand that they're not God," said Danforth.

Danforth said he was happy the focus of the GOP has turned to the size of government. "Where we agree does have to do with the size of the power of government, where power lies in a free society, how big Washington is, how big the debt is," he said.

*WATCH FULL CLIP ABOVE*

BELOW: DANFORTH BACKS CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE SOTOMAYOR --

AND DECLARES "ROY IS THE NOMINEE"

ON BLUNT: "Roy is the nominee. He is going to carry the banner for our party . . . He's very, very experienced. He knows the issues and he can draw a clear contrast with whatever Robin Carnahan is going to stand for."

ON SOTOMAYOR: "I think she's capable. She's obviously smart. She's experienced."

Mentions grueling confirmation process of Justice Clarence Thomas, which he helped facilitate

Blunt Targeted in Radio Spot

The left-leaning Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition has begun running a radio ad in Springfield Friday targeting Congressman Roy Blunt on healthcare.

The 60-second spot can be heard HERE.

"Congressman Roy Blunt has taken more than half a million dollars from the insurance industry. No wonder he's against reform," blasts the ad. "It seems that Roy Blunt is against anything that will hurt the insurance companies bottom line," it goes on.

The Blunt campaign called the ad, "hypocritical and false."

"Just recently, Robin Carnahan took over $10,000 from Washington insurance lobbyists, and she supports the radical one to two trillion dollar government takeover of health care that is being pushed by Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama," said spokesman Rich Chrismer. "Roy Blunt does not accept a penny from anyone who expects anything for it and he is fighting for health care alternatives that will offer more choices, lower costs and competition for patients, and against the radical plan that Robin Carnahan and her liberal allies are supporting," he added.

Hartzler Files Against Skelton

Former state representative Vicky Hartzler has filed a statement of candidacy to run against Rep. Ike Skelton in 2010.

CQ Politics notes THIS filing shows Hartzler appears to be ramping up for a race.

She was a spokeswoman for an organization that promoted a 2004 state constitutional amendment, overwhelmingly passed by voters, that banned same-sex marriage.

On Friday, Hartzler confirmed to CQ that she has submitted FEC paperwork and is "in the beginning stages of putting together my campaign team."


Skelton, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has been politically dominant in his 17 terms. He won 66 percent of the vote in 2008, the 15th time in 16 re-election campaigns that he has topped 60 percent of the vote.

Take Your Pick: Friday Leftovers

• Sen. Kit Bond wants the CIA to produce an unclassified version of reports that detail what the U.S. learned by using water-boarding and other harsh interrogation methods after 9-11.
• Republicans on The Hill out-Tweet Democrats 100 to 56. One theory why: When you're in power, you're less likely to share details of what you're doing minute by minute.
• Roy Blunt has no reason to believe President Obama wasn't born in the United States. But some are still perplexed why he even raised questions about his birth certificate in the first place.
• More evidence that Sen. Kit Bond's staff had a beef with former U.S. attorney Todd Graves.
• Sen. Claire McCaskill thinks the fact that the NRA is tracking Democrats vote on Judge Sotomayor is "dumb."
• Congressman Roy Blunt helped pass an amendment that makes sure the healthcare bill won't require coverage of abortions.

Danforth: Unaware of Birther Issue

Former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth said he was unaware of the so-called "Birther" movement until this week, and said that Barack Obama is a "legitimate president."

In an interview with The Notebook during a Republican "unity" event in Springfield this week, Danforth said he wasn't very familiar with the right-wing groups who don't believe President Obama is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Asked if be believes Obama is a citizen, Danforth said: "I think it's important for people to focus on something that is going to be decisive. I've never heard of this issue. I don't know the facts. I don't really know what they're talking about, but it is not something that I think is going to be a decisive question."

Asked if Obama is legitimate, Danforth replied, "He's a legitimate president. I respect him as the President of the United States."

*At one point, GOP spokesman Jon Prouty attempts to cut off the interview because we went passed our allotted time limit with the former Senator.

Pressing on, when Danforth was asked about Congressman Roy Blunt's question about Obama's birth certificate, he replied, "It's an issue that's eluded me."

*FULL CLIP ON BIRTHER REAX ABOVE*

MORE DANFORTH . . .

COMING FRIDAY

Who Announces on A Sunday?

THIS GUY.

Billy Long plans to fill the gaping Sunday night news hole by officially kicking off his campaign for Congress.

Long has been a candidate for months, but hasn't yet held a news conference.

He'll hold his first announcement at the PFI, Diamond Ridge Market on South Ingram Mill Road on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

The move is smart tactically, because Long will likely get top billing on the usually slow Sunday-Monday morning news cycle. No word yet on how grumpy political reporters will be on getting their weekend snipped short;)

Long faces Sen. Jack Goodman, Sen. Gary Nodler, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore and Jeff Wisdom in the 7th District's GOP primary.

Kit Bond Makes It Rain

Sen. Kit Bond announced that he's secured $38 million dollars in transportation and economic development projects in two spending bills cleared by the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday.

Included for the Ozarks:

• $1 million in Greene County for the Route 160 and Route 60 Interchange Improvements in -- for widening Route 160 and adding lanes to interchange ramps at Route 60.
• $1 million in Osceola for the Highway 13 interchange. Funds will construct a grade-separated interchange.
• $500,000 for the Jordan Valley Community Health Center in Springfield - Funds will help pay for the construction, renovation and equipment costs for two of Jordan Valley Community Health Center’s clinics. Expected to help boost capacity by 45%.
• $1 million for Missouri State University - Funds will purchase equipment and technology for an agricultural research program critical to improving distance learning in the region.

The Senate must now reconcile the bills with the versions passed by the House of Representatives before the President signs them into law.

McCaskill Probes Army Nominee on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

During his confirmation hearing for Secretary of the Army Thursday, Sen. Claire McCaskill asked Republican John McHugh about his views on the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

The Advocate notes McCaskill said, "I think it’s important we get that on the record at this juncture."

John McHugh said the military's gay ban was "a serious issue" that he has not addressed since it was implemented in 1993. "The reality is the president has made very clear, and I have not talked to the president directly, but I have talked to high officials in the administration, and I have no doubt the president is going to press forward with his intent to change that policy -- to whatever degree remains to be seen. I think he would like a full reversal," he said.

"It’s also without question that Secretary Gates has begun a process of what he describes as ‘softening’ that policy; whatever that may mean remains to be seen," McHugh said of the Defense Department's review of how the policy is currently being implemented.

Just last week, McCaskill took some heat from gay groups about a comment she made on why she voted against expanding a conceal and carry law.

Emerson Fighting Possible Cuts in Mail Delivery

Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson has slipped language into the 2010 fiscal year spending bill that mandates six-day U.S. postal service, reports The New York Times.

To help solve rising postal deficits, some -- including the Postmaster General -- are suggesting that delivery service be cut back by one day a week.

In February, 7th District Congressional candidate Billy Long told The Notebook in an interview that he was for "reducing mail delivery." "I'd like to see mail delivered three days a week," Long said.

But Emerson favors cutting overhead and spending less on custom vehicles.

"I realize that the postmaster general thinks that this will save money, but there are other ways that they can cost-cut," Emerson said of the potential consolidations and closures. "My constituents feel very strongly about having their postal service continue as it always has."

The Times reports The Postal Service is also reviewing more than 3,200 postal stations and branches to see if they could be closed or their operations consolidated.

Blunt: Obama Hasn't Produced Birth Certificate

Salon.com and Talking Points Memo are both reporting that Congressman Roy Blunt said President Obama hasn't produced a birth certificate, an argument embraced by a group of far right wing but widely discredited activists referred to as "birthers."

"What I don't know is why the president can't produce a birth certificate," said Blunt, according to accounts. "I don't know anybody else that can't produce one. And I think that that's a legitimate question -- no health records, no birth certificate."

Salon provides this back and forth with Mike Stark, who has been ambushing Republicans on Capitol Hill with the question all week.

BLUNT: What I don't know is why the President can't produce a birth certificate. I don't know anybody else that can't produce one. And I think that's a legitimate question. No health records, no birth certificate.

STARK: He's produced a certificate of live birth, right?

BLUNT: Not that I -- I don't believe so.

STARK: No, he has. Chris Matthews held it up on "Hardball" the other night.

BLUNT: Talk to Chris Matthews.

(Salon notes that what Obama released was a certification of live birth, not a birth certificate.)

*FiredUp Missouri & others have noted that the VIDEO is available at The Turner Report*

***

CHRISMER: THE VIDEO WAS EDITED

In a statement to The Notebook, Blunt campaign spokesman Rich Chrismer said, "We encourage this blog to release the video of the entire interview instead of only the edited version which take his comments completely out of context."

"This is what happens when you talk to reporters and have press conferences. Things can be taken out of context when you open yourself up to media on a daily basis. We are not going to take the Robin Carnahan approach of dodging questions and hiding from the media," Chrismer said.

E.Coli --- With Legs (!) (?)

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

The Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection & Energy and the Environment Committee will hold its organizational meeting for its E.Coli investigation via conference call Thursday.

Committee Chair Sen. Brad Lager announced the call would take place at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Larger has said it is appropriate to investigate the matter because of "public concern, the possible danger to public health as well as the impact on Missouri tourism."

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

EARLIER: Gov. Jay Nixon denied knowing anything about the withheld report until July. (See below posts)

Let's Have A Drink

10 MISSSOURI POLITICAL PAIRS . . .

THAT SHOULD GRAB A BEER

It's midsummer, and boy it's hot out there. The pols are especially testy -- mainly due to a summer news cycle has been busier and peskier than expected. So in honor of Thursday's White House beer between Harvard professor Henry Gates and Cambridge police officer Sgt. James Crowley, here are 10 toasts I'd like to facilitate. If any of the parties are interested, I'm ready and willing to play President Obama.

1. Governor Jay Nixon & Lieutenant Gov. Peter Kinder

2. Carl Bearden of AFP Missouri & Sen. Claire McCaskill

3. Fired Up's Sean Nicholson & Congressman Roy Blunt

4. Ed Martin & Scott Eckersley

5. 7th District chair Mavis Busiek & Radio antagonist Vincent David Jericho

6. Sarah Steelman & Kenny Hulshof

7. Political consultants Jeff Roe & Rod Jetton

8. Springfield Mayor Jim O'Neal & Ralph Manley

9. Sen. Kit Bond & Todd Graves

10. Associated Industries Ray McCarty & Mo. Chamber president Dan Mehan

Nixon: Not Worrying About Kinder

COUNT TO FIVE. THEN ANSWER

In the midst of the E.Coli controversy, Gov. Jay Nixon gets pelted with a question from KSMU about his relationship with Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

"I don't spent a lot of my time worrying about that stuff . . .," Nixon replied, before pausing, seemingly trying to balance his answer.

"We're constitutional officers . . ."

"I don't spend time whining about Missouri, I certainly don't spend time complaining about other people."

*WATCH FULL CLIP ABOVE*

VIDEO: Nixon Gets Heat Over E.Coli Report

Questions about who knew what -- and when -- about an E.coli report drowns out Gov. Jay Nixon's Springfield news conference on law enforcement grants.

*WATCH THE Q & A WITH REPORTERS ABOVE*

KEY QUOTES:

"I've expressed to the director and that team out there that I expect immediate changes and I expect to get them."

"I've tried to be very clear. The first time I became aware of this, I said I was disappointed, it was wrong, and it should be changed."

"I don't know how many times I can say that. I said it when it first came to my attention, in mid July."

"I did not have a meeting on June 3rd of 4th on this matter. The first time I became aware of it was in mid July."

ALSO: Nixon seems off-balance in response to question about his relationship with Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. That video . . . Coming Later . . .

SNL Report: DNR Official Requested E.Coli Report for Meeting With Gov. Nixon

HOW BIG IS THE DRIP?

E-mails suggest that the deputy director of the state Department of Natural Resources asked for a copy of a report on high levels of E.coli in Lake of the Ozarks to take to a meeting with Governor Jay Nixon, according to the Springfield News Leader.

NOTE: AP ISSUED CORRECTION ON MEETING DIRECTLY WITH NIXON -- THAT DID NOT OCCUR

But, writes Chad Livengood, Nixon's office says (the official) visited their Capitol office on June 4 for a meeting about energy policy with an industry lobbyist and deputy legislative director Kristy Manning -- not water quality or E. coli."At no point in that conversation would the Lake of the Ozarks or E. coli have come up," said Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti.

Read the entire piece HERE.

KEY POINTS:

*E-mails show that Deputy DNR director Joe Bindbeutel requested a copy of the withheld E.coli report to take to a meeting with Governor -- but it's not clear if Bindeutel ever actually took the report to the Governor.
*The Governor's office said the E.coli report was never discussed during the meeting in question.
*Minutes from a June 12th meeting between DNR officials included this label: "DNR/LOWA Meeting May Bacteria Test Results/Press Release Discussion."
*Bindbeutel is paraphrased as saying, "the recent water testing has drawn the attention of the Director of DNR as well as Governor Nixon," according to the minutes, which were taken by a LOWA volunteer.
*Bindbeutel goes on to say: "(DNR Director) Mark Templeton has reviewed the balance sheet from a business and scientific point of view and all believe that this (lake) asset needs to be protected. ... The bad perception by the public that would be created if the report was simply published without explanation of what the numbers mean."

Springfield Police Shut Out of Stimulus Money

STIMULUS SETBACK

EMERSON: "SO EGREGIOUS"

The federal government released nearly $20 million dollars in economic stimulus money Tuesday for Missouri to hire new police. But the third largest city -- and most other rural areas -- got completely shut out.

Back in April, the Springfield police department applied for $4 million dollars in grants. On Tuesday, they got the bad news.

Of the $19.7 million dollars coming to the Show-Me State, Springfield is getting nothing.
"We got shut out," said city manager Greg Burris. "We applied for 25 officers and we were notified today we got zero."

More than 7,000 law enforcement agencies from around the country applied for about $1 billion available dollars. In Missouri, a total of 242 jurisdictions applied, but just 14 received funds. And most of them are clustered near the two largest cities. It adds up to 115 new officers for the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, and just 3 new officers for the rest of the state. "It's hard to tell whether it's fair because the Department of Justice didn't give you much detail in the formula that's used to rank the cities," said Burris.

Last month, St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom said a drop in the department's budget meant 105 officer positions wouldn't be funded. But with this money, the department should be nearly full staffed. Meanwhile, Springfield is down about 50 officers from full capacity.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

READ THE BREAKDOWN OF ALL THE FUNDING & THE FORMULA HERE

***

REP. JO ANN EMERSON BLASTS "BIASED" FORMULA:

"This is our tax money in rural America too, and we are being shorted on COPS law enforcement big time," Emerson said. "Our congressional districts all serve roughly the same number of constituents, and we all have acute needs for more officers and funding. For the rural part of our state to get three new officers out of 118 in Missouri is so egregious, I can't believe someone would do this on purpose."

"Frankly, this is a great example of why I voted against the stimulus in the first place. You vest all of this spending authority with bureaucrats, you rush the bill through Congress, and you end up with extreme imbalances between urban and rural parts of the country. The bill was reckless and hasty, and the implementation of the stimulus COPS grants shows the same shortcomings," Emerson continued.

CONGRESSMAN ROY BLUNT REACTS:

Blunt, who has his eye on votes in St. Louis and Kansas City for a 2010 Senate bid, was critical, but less harsh:

"One of my chief objections to the stimulus bill was the lack of public scrutiny into the way the $787 billion is spent. This round of COPS funding is no exception. I'm disappointed that Springfield and other communities were shut out and wish we had the ability to truly advocate for all of our communities in a transparent process," Blunt said in a statement provided to The Notebook.

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL TOUTS COMPETITIVE MERIT OF GRANTS:

Meanwhile, Sen. McCaskill touted the $19.6 million dollars in grants in a press release, noting that this process better ensures "prompt distribution and better accountability."

"Funding to states and localities through the economic recovery package will be allocated through existing federal programs like these, rather than earmarks, in order to ensure prompt distribution and better accountability. Local projects receive funds from these grants by following the process set up by each program," McCaskill's office wrote in a release. "McCaskill believes that federal grants and loans are a positive alternative to earmarks, which in the past have frequently had too little accountability. Competitive merit and need based federal grants and low-interest government loans bring federal assistance to Missouri in an honest and fiscally responsible manner."

Blunt: Gov't Healthcare Produces Lower Cancer Survivor Rates

Congressman Roy Blunt joined other Republican cancer survivors Tuesday in Washington to warn that a government run health care plan could increase cancer mortality rates.

"So if you want a system that ensures your chances are less than even of surviving renal cancer, or are significantly reduced surviving prostate cancer -- a government run system in all throughout Europe produces those lower survival rates for cancer," said Blunt.

Notes that in the U.S., the renal cancer survivor rate is about 68%, compared to just 48% in Great Britain.

WATCH BLUNT'S COMMENTS HERE

Blunt is a survivor of renal and prostate cancer. His doctor detected his renal cancer in 2002 during a routine physical. As a result, Blunt had a softball-sized tumor and his left kidney removed.

Read more from Talk Radio News HERE.

"No One's Standing Up Right Now"

In the second part of my interview with U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason, he contrasts himself with Roy Blunt, reiterates his ban on family lobbyists and acknowledges the "mountain" in front of him.

KEY QUOTES:

"I think that the contrast right now is that he's been in Washington a long time and I haven't. And the direction that Washington is going, people aren't happy with."

"In a primary, for the people that think government's going the wrong direction, without me in the race, they don't have a choice."

"If Robin Carnahan, a member of her family lobbied, would that be an issue with Republicans? I believe it would be. And I believe it would be an issue with me."

"I know exactly what mountain I've got in front of me right now. You know, but what's the alternative? Sit and do nothing?"

*WATCH ALL OF PART II ABOVE*

Physician Legislator Doubts Public Option Will Pass

Doctor and State Rep. Robert Wayne Cooper tells KY3 News he doubts a public option will be a part of any healthcare bill that clears Congress.

Cooper, who runs a free clinic in Camdenton for those who make less than 200% of the poverty level, said he thinks President Obama will have a "hard time passing his initial plan."

"I think Obama's going to have a hard time passing his initial plan with the public option that would possibly force all commercial insurance out of business," Rep. Cooper said. "It'd be a dramatic change, if the kind of plan appeared to, not allow people to take private insurance later on, would pass," he added.

Says Obama will probably get "part of what he wants," but adds that the state should try to work to fill in gaps. Cooper said that lawmakers have been working towards legislation that would expand coverage for those who have "pre-existing conditions." "The problem is not wanting to expand beyond what our budget can sustain," Cooper said.

"I personally can support expanding somewhat to provide coverage for some of the uninsureds," he said.

READ MORE OF CARA RESTELLI'S REPORT ON COOPER'S FREE CLINIC HERE

Newt's on The Phone for GOP Lawmakers

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will compliment Missouri lawmakers Tuesday for passing a new law that's meant to increase transparency in the state's Medicaid program.

Gingrich will hold a Tuesday afternoon press conference in St. Louis and follow that with a statewide conference call. Rep. Brian Yates and State Sens. Scott Rupp and Eric Schmitt are expected to join Gingrich.

A release from the lawmakers boasts that House Bill 577 makes Missouri the "first in the nation to make it possible for anyone to be able to find what a provider charged for a healthcare service covered by the Missouri HealthNet (Medicaid) program with just a click of a mouse."

The news conference is at 1 p.m; Conference call follows at 2 p.m.

Sorry Tweeps, Carnahan Not Yet on Twitter Wagon

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan isn't an active Twitter user -- and if she becomes a U.S. Senator, don't expect that to change.

The Democratic candidate initially laughs off a Notebook inquiry about her Twitter use before saying, "I don't think people care that much about when I'm brushing my teeth and what I'm doing all day long."

ALSO: Asked about Chuck Purgason's primary challenge to Roy Blunt, Carnahan says: "I'm not particularly surprised Republicans are questioning following a guy who's been there in leadership for 10 years and got us into this mess we're in right now. He really does own some responsibility for that."

*FULL FINAL CARNAHAN CLIP ABOVE*

BLUNT CAMPAIGN RESPONSE:

"Robin Carnahan and the Carnahan family are creatures of Washington. In 1993, well before Roy Blunt was elected to Congress, Robin Carnahan left Missouri to live and work in Washington when she was an executive for the Export-Import Bank. Consequently Robin Carnahan's Washington bank has been rated one of the worst corporate programs in the country. Robin Carnahan's mother was a Senator in Washington and her brother is a Congressman in Washington. The bottom line is the Carnahan is synonymous with Washington," said spokesman Rich Chrismer.

Cillizza: Claire's Roadblock to the WH? Jim Talent

Sen. Claire McCaskill tops a Washington Post list of potential female candidates for president in the future -- but one obstacle to the White House, remains in Missouri, according to Chris Cillizza.

In a fun purely speculative piece picturing a woman in the White House, Cillizza lists McCaskill as a prime possibility.

"The best possibility is Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) who could be appealing given her ability to win statewide in Missouri. But, McCaskill will almost face a serious re-election fight in 2012 (Jim Talent, anyone?) and has to get through that race before she can be seriously considered," writes Cillizza.

Read the whole piece HERE.

Can Primaries Help A Party?

Barack Obama had a tough one -- and it worked out pretty well.

So did Kenny Hulshof . . . not so much.

Which raises the age old argument: Do primaries help or hurt a party?
***
In our interview with new U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason, the Howell County State Senator makes the case that primaries can be a good thing.

"I think the best thing you can do is get, the more people the merrier to run in a primary," Purgason said. "It's only the candidates that can divide the party," he added.

Purgason then noted the infamous 1992 G.O.P. primary for Governor -- when Roy Blunt was the "outsider" who ran a rough-and-tumble primary campaign against Bill Webster and Wendell Bailey. The race is known among longtime Missouri politicos as the nastiest in recent GOP history.

"I don't have to run that type of primary," Purgason said.

*WATCH PART 1 OF INTERVIEW ABOVE*

ALSO: Talks about "staffing up," and Mrs. Woolsley

*More clips from my one-on-one with Purgason will be posted throughout the week*

Poplstein to Run Nodler's Campaign

State Sen. Gary Nodler's congressional campaign is expected to announce later today that Chuck Poplstein will sign on as campaign manager, The Notebook has learned.

Poplstein most recently worked on John McCain's 2008 presidential effort in the Show-Me State, as the 72-hour director for the Missouri GOP. Prior to that, he served as a field director for Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign in the primary state of South Carolina.

Poplstein also worked in the field on Sen. Jim Talent's 2006 re-election campaign and was a legislative liaison at the state Department of Higher Education.

The hire of Poplstein ends speculation about who will be handling day-to-day activities for Nodler's campaign. Political operative Gregg Keller will be doing general consulting for Nodler, but is also running a U.S. Senate race in Connecticut.

Nodler is running against State Sen. Jack Goodman, auctioneer Billy Long, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore and Ozarks Technical Community College instructor Jeff Wisdom to replace Congressman Roy Blunt.

Skelton Calls GITMO Progress "Disturbing"

GITMO TASK FORCE MISSES 6-MONTH DEADLINE

Congressman Ike Skelton is expressing concern that President Obama's task force is behind coming up with the details on how to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center within a year.

"With little more than five months to go, the lack of details on how Guantanamo should be closed, where detainees will be transferred, what precautions will be taken to protect communities, the costs associated with a closure decision and a range of related considerations is, frankly, disturbing," said Skelton, according to Voice of America. "A detailed plan should be proposed as soon as possible," he said.

President Obama gave the task force another months -- but also said he still intends to close GITMO as planned.

Week 28: Nixon's Grade

NIXON'S WEEK 28 GRADE: C

With Gov. Nixon out of the country in the Middle East for the first half of the week, much of the buzz surrounded the way he went about it -- in not notifying Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder before he left. When Nixon returned from pumping up soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq on Wednesday, he was greeted with the news that a Senate committee would probe why his Department of Natural Resources withheld a report on high levels of E.coli in Lake of the Ozarks. Nixon has said the report should have been released when requested -- but what's unclear is if he thinks anyone should lose their job over the decision. A date for the hearings have not yet been set, and some have blamed the incident on DNR holdovers from the Blunt administration. How Nixon handles the investigation will give voters a window into his commitment to "transparency and accountability." To wind up the week, Nixon played hoops in the Show-Me State Games, where the Columbia Missourian notes he went 15 of 25 from the free-throw line. So he's no Steve Nash. But any pol willing to publicly burn a little sweat while sporting a bright yellow T with red Nikes, at least deserves a hat tip.

Dixon: E.Coli Report Investigation Could Lead to Firings

,
Springfield State Rep. Bob Dixon suggests that an investigation into why a report revealing high levels of E.coli was withheld from the public could lead to firings at the Department of Natural Resources.

Earlier this week, a Senate committee said it would investigate why the Lake of the Ozarks E.coli report was held back. DNR initially said The Kansas City Star that the report was withheld because of tourism concerns.

"A person who would do something like that in the private sector would lose their job, or if a business did it, what would happen? People would no longer patronize that business," Dixon told The Notebook. "I think we need, you got to have accountability."

*WATCH MORE OF DIXON'S RESPONSE ABOVE*

ALSO: The Missouri Republican Party says that Gov. Jay Nixon should have put DNR director Mark Templeton on administrative, leave pending the results of the Senate investigation.

Dixon is a Republican candidate for the 30th District State Senate seat in 2010.

VIDEO: The Robin Carnahan Interview

ONE on ONE

In the first clip, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Robin Carnahan explains why she's open to a public option to help revamp the healthcare system.

KEY QUOTES:

"What I think this is really about is getting things done for folks and not staking out hard and fast partisan positions."

"We've got to create a system that creates pricing pressure and so I'm open for however we do that."

"There's already somebody standing between you and your doctor. It's called the insurance companies."

"Congressman Roy Blunt and I disagree about this. He seems satisfied with how things are working in healthcare. I don't."

In the second clip, Carnahan grapples with the issue of cost -- and is less specific about which taxpayers should bare the burden of paying for healthcare reform. She also attempts to clarify her position on the economic stimulus package.

KEY QUOTES:

"We've got to come up with money somewhere and what I'm against is having it be on middle class folks and small businesses."

"I'm not going to take a position on what that number is."

"When you walk up to me and give me some binary choice about something somebody else decided -- am I for it or against it -- I'd probably come up with a different plan."

To watch The Notebook's interview with Carnahan back in February on the economic stimulus package, click HERE.

Carnahan Open to Public Health Care Option

In her most specific answers on the issue to date, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Robin Carnahan said she would be open to supporting a government run option as part of the comprehensive healthcare reform legislation that's recently hit significant speed bumps in Congress.

Carnahan also did not rule supporting paying for a plan by raising income taxes on those earning more than $1 million dollars a year, an idea that's already earned the backing of many House Democrats and President Obama.

"It's a broken system, it needs reform, and to just go out there and say no to everything is not what I agree with," Carnahan said, in a veiled swipe at her likely 2010 Republican opponent, Roy Blunt.

Choosing her words carefully, Carnahan said she would not rule out backing a public option "depending on what it looks like." "That's not something I'm going to rule out. What I think we've got to do is create competition," she said.

When asked about how to pay for the massive overhaul plan, Carnahan was less precise -- neither embracing the millionaire's tax nor wholeheartedly rejecting it.

"I'm not going to take a position on what that number is. I will tell you, that I'm not for putting it on the backs of the middle class," she said.

Blunt's campaign jumped on Carnahan's comments and said they showed her willingness to raise taxes. "Roy Blunt opposes raising taxes. Robin Carnahan just said she would not rule it out," said spokesman Rich Chrismer. "If she does not know where the middle class begins and ends today, wait until the liberal D.C. bureaucrats in Washington tell her," Chrismer said.

But on Thursday, it was Blunt's comments that were in the crosshairs, when he seemed to suggest Republicans wouldn't even attempt to offer a healthcare alternative.

"Our bill is never going to get to the floor, so why confuse the focus? We clearly have principles; we could have language, but why start diverting attention from this really bad piece of work they've got to whatever we're offering right now?," Blunt told The Hill.

Minority Leader John Boehner later clarified to say that Republicans were putting the "final touches on their bill."

Carnahan also attempted to paint Blunt as an obstructionist who's content with doing nothing but opposing the president's plan. "Congressman Blunt and I disagree about this. He wants the status quo. He seems satisfied with how things are working in healthcare. I don't," Carnahan said.

Chrismer called that "the Obama straw man argument," and said that Blunt supports the principals of choice, competition, transparency and "decisions made by doctors and patients."

"He opposes the Obama plan to spend one to two trillion dollars that we do not have so that government can take over health care and impose rationing and waiting periods that are unacceptable for American families," Chrismer said.

But Carnahan said the government take-over argument is stale and not based on reality.

"I think to myself, have you been to the doctor lately? Because there's already somebody standing between you and your doctor. It's called the insurance companies," she said.

For Carnahan, the healthcare argument is deeply personal. The Democratic Secretary of State was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, but detected the disease early. In using the medical system, she said she found out quickly that it was difficult to figure out the price of procedures.

"I can never find out about the price. Doctors can't find out about the price. So we've got to create a system that creates pricing pressure, so I'm open to however we do that," Carnahan said.

Top Democratic leaders have conceded this week that they are unlikely to produce a healthcare bill by the August recess. Meanwhile, on Friday, House Republicans lugged 17 boxes of amendments around the Capitol and repeated their calls that more time was needed for debate.

"It took the President six months to decide how long and which puppy he was gonna have,” said Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.), as quoted by the Talk Radio News Service. "To expect Congress to do something on major health care reform in six days is totally irresponsible."

McCaskill Forced to Clarify Gay Gun Gaffe

Under fire from a conservative gay group, Sen. Claire McCaskill has clarified the reason she voted against expanding a conceal and carry gun law this week.

McCaskill voted against the amendment, and explained her reasoning by saying, "this is a foot in the door that would require, for example, the laws in Vermont on gay marriage to be enforced in Missouri. It just kills me, these guys, that they would pound the tables about states’ rights until, situationally, they don’t want to talk about states’ rights anymore."

Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of GOProud, which endorsed the gun amendment, said the comment was pure political calculation, according to Advocate.com.

"Claire McCaskill should be ashamed of herself for using baseless antigay scare tactics to justify her vote against the conceal carry amendment,” he said. McCaskill's Republican counterpart, Sen. Kit Bond, voted to pass the gun measure, which coincidentally would have been attached to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act that Senator McCaskill cosponsored.

McCaskill's office issued the following statement Thursday to clarify her remarks: "In talking about my recent vote against the gun provision offered in the Senate, I wasn’t clear when I stated that my vote against that provision was because it came down to a state's rights. I was expressing my frustration in that some who argue that states shouldn’t respect the laws, certificates, or permits from other states when it’s convenient, like with gay marriage, but then argue that they should when it’s convenient on another issue, like gun rights. They can’t have it both ways," McCaskill said.

"There Are A Lot of Ms. Woolsey's Out There . . . That Want Their Country Back"

PURGASON STUMPS

Watch excerpts of Sen. Chuck Purgason's kick-off speech for U.S. Senate above.

Below: Ross Perot-style, Purgason outlines the growing deficit under Republican rule, and outlines a list of promises if elected U.S. Senator

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

He hoped to avoid it, and did everything to try, but Congressman Roy Blunt now officially has a primary opponent in his 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate. State Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, announced a longshot bid for U.S. Senate on Thursday in front of rural working class conservatives at a mom and pop restaurant in West Plains.

"I believe in the principles of the Republican Party but the people we have elected have not fulfilled those principles," Purgason said, standing alongside his wife and two children, which he called his "campaign staff."

Purgason, who is in his second term in representing seven south central Ozarks counties in Jefferson City, made the case that he's the true fiscal conservative in the race to replace Sen. Kit Bond.

Channeling images of Ross Perot, Purgason used a homemade chart -- held up by his wife -- to demonstrate the deficits run up under Republican control. It was no coincidence that Purgason was referring to a time period when Blunt served in U.S. House leadership.

"I think that the contrast right now is that he's been in Washington a longtime, and I haven't. And the direction that Washington is going people aren't happy with," Purgason said in an interview in the Ozark Cafe after his kickoff speech.

Purgason's bid is unquestionably the longest of long shots but his appeal with disillusioned Republicans could force Blunt to answer his concerns about fiscal issues and aid Democratic talking points.

On Ky3 News @ 6: Purgason Enters, Carnahan Reacts

@RoyBlunt

PURGASON'S LONG SHOT; CARNAHAN TAKES A SHOT

Howell County State Sen. Chuck Purgason's entrance into the race for U.S. Senate will cause many establishment Republicans to roll their eyes -- but his connection with rural fiscal conservatives could force Congressman Roy Blunt to answer his critiques and aid Democratic attack points.

Plus: Robin Carnahan visits Springfield -- as Secretary of State.

*WATCH THE KY3 News @ 6 Q & A Above*

The Full REPORT . . . Tonight on KY3 News @ 10

Donaldson Out

Convoy of Hope President Hal Donaldson has decided against a run for the 7th District Congressional seat, a knowledgeable Republican tells The Notebook.

Donaldson first announced he was forming an exploratory committee back in March and hired on Republican communications operative Spence Jackson, who worked for former Gov. Matt Blunt and former Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

Jackson's hire was a sign Donaldson was serious about the contest, but after forming a committee he never made any public pronouncements about his candidacy. A Donaldson ally said the Convoy president wanted to make a final decision by the end of the month and has pretty much done so.

Donaldson's decision against a run to replace Blunt leaves the following 5 Republican contenders with active campaigns: State Sen. Jack Goodman, State Sen. Gary Nodler, auctioneer Billy Long, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore and Ozarks Technical Community College instructor Jeff Wisdom.

To read the Notebook's most recent 7th District Power Rankings, click HERE

*Next power rankings to be published July 31st*

Bond: Obama Presser Missed The Mark

Sen. Kit Bond said President Obama's primetime presidential news conference designed to buck up support for his plan to reform healthcare "missed an opportunity to unite Americans."

"Tonight the President missed an opportunity to unite Americans around a reform plan that lowers health care costs, increases access and improves quality," said Bond in a statement. "Instead, the President was busy pointing fingers and embracing a budget-busting government takeover of health care that focuses on empowering bureaucracy instead of patients and doctors," he added.

OTHER JOURNO REACTION:

TIME's Mark Halperin said Obama mostly focused on what he doesn't like.

NYTimes: "Mr. Obama also signaled that he might be open to another idea under consideration in the Senate: taxing employer-provided health benefits, as long as the tax did not fall on the middle class."

POLITICO: "Obama endorsed a House committee's plan to fund part of the new program by imposing a surtax on families making over $1 million a year - but insisted he would not support any bill that helped fund the $1 trillion plan with a tax on middle-class families."

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "He's arguing that even as Americans accept the status quo and don't want government to get involved, Americans ought to be angry at the status quo . . . Obama's argument is that in order for doctors to do better and patients to feel better and to make all of this less expensive, government will have to change the incentive structure. That will allow doctors and patients to make better choices."

Bond & McCaskill Split on Conceal & Carry Vote

"WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR"

Missouri's U.S. Senators split on a vote today that would have allowed gun owners to carry their weapons across state lines.

But state laws vary on how tough it is to get a permit.

Under Senate rules, the amendment needed a 60 vote majority.
It won just 58 votes -- Sen. Kit Bond voted FOR it; Sen. Claire McCaskill voted AGAINST it.

Read the entire vote list HERE (via the uber-helpful SenateFloor Twitter feed).

McCaskill said Monday that she would vote against the Thune amendment, noting that gun laws should remain a state issue.

McCaskill is quoted in Roll Call saying: "This is part of what we signed up for. You can’t make everyone happy on anything. I think that’s called being a moderate. Both ends are mad."

The Washington Post's take: "Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) voted against the measure despite their previous support for gun-rights legislation that would gut the District's strict handgun laws."

Libertarian Ferguson Flips to GOP, Supports Blunt

A top leader in Missouri's Libertarian Party has become a Republican and is supporting Congressman Roy Blunt's campaign for U.S. Senate.

Mike Ferguson, who was the Libertarian candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2004, announced his conversion Wednesday on his website.

"I don’t want to just talk about better, smaller government for Missouri; I want to be part of creating a better, smaller government in our state. I am at home in the Republican Party," Ferguson wrote on his website. "We need a Republican Party that once again proclaims and puts into practice the values that were once the centerpiece of our party. Fortunately, the Missouri Republican Party is listening and is once again embracing the part of its base that has felt abandoned in recent years. I am excited to have the opportunity to help reconnect the party with the freedom movement," Ferguson went on.

Ferguson said he's throwing his support behind Blunt's campaign because his hope is that "everyone who opposes the dangerous and irresponsible economic policies of the Obama administration will unite."

"Those of us in libertarian and other freedom-based circles have occasionally not agreed with Congressman Blunt’s votes. He and I have had very candid conversations about that. The Congressman is not afraid of dialogue; in fact, he wants to have the discussions that will allow him to effectively represent the entire conservative base – and the state of Missouri – in the United States Senate," Ferguson wrote.

Blunt mentioned those conversations with Ferguson in a statement: "We talked about his commitment to the conservative movement for freedom and the importance of having an inclusive campaign regardless of Party. We discussed the importance of reaching out to Libertarians and others who are concerned about Washington's out of control taxing, out of control spending and out of control debt and borrowing. I believe Mike's decision shows that our campaign and the Republican Party are serious about reaching out to people who believe as we do in Missouri's common sense conservative values and principles. I appreciate Mike Ferguson's endorsement of our campaign and I look forward to his advice and help in reaching out to others across our state to join us in the fight to put the people's future first."

Spokesman Rich Chrismer said Ferguson will serve as an informal adviser to Blunt's campaign, and will have "an important role in helping us reach out to Libertarians."

Elmer Raises $11 K for Nixa House Bid

Nixa alderman Kevin Elmer raised just over $11,000 for his 2010 bid for State House during the second fundraising quarter.

Elmer, who was seriously considering a run for Congress, is running to replace the term-limited Rep. Jay Wasson in the 141st District.

Elmer announced his candidacy in June, so he had just a few weeks to fundraise before the June 30th deadline. The majority of his fundraising came from a $10,000 contribution by Carl Petty of Perico Insurance in Chesterfield, Mo. In total, Elmer raised $11,052.

Elmer also announced Wednesday that Clever Mayor Trisha Elam will serve as treasurer of his campaign.

"Her involvement is a testament to the fact that my platform of less taxes and increased personal freedoms resonates with the citizens of the 141st district," Elmer said in a statement.

Nixon Spent 2 Days in Afghanistan; Will Return to Missouri Wednesday

The Governor's office announced Tuesday that Gov. Jay Nixon has spent the last two days in Afghanistan visiting Missouri troops and will return to the state Wednesday night.

***

Nixon, along with Governors from four other states, were in Germany late Tuesday to tour the U.S. military hospital at Landstuhl. That is expected to be the final stop on the tour that began in Iraq and Kuwait.

"I am extremely proud of the dedication, professionalism and tenacity I saw in every Missourian I met during my visit, and I have every confidence these tireless heroes will accomplish their mission and bring security and stability to Afghanistan and the region," Nixon said in a statement.

Missouri currently has an Agricultural Development Team and a Military Police Company stationed in Afghanistan. Nixon visited with the approximately 60 National Guard soldiers currently deployed with the Agricultural team. Missouri's National Guard was the first in the nation to deploy such an agricultural team in 2007. The team's goal is to ensure a safe and reliable food supply to aid Afghanistan's recovery, according to Nixon. The team also works to improve irrigation, fertilizing, planting, harvesting and storing agricultural products throughout the Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.

"These Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are helping local farmers and producers with projects that include planting and harvesting grain and other projects; implementing modern agricultural methods to increase crop yields; canning and juicing fruits and vegetables in a safe and reliable manner; developing and constructing irrigation systems; and enhancing sanitation and storage of meats. These efforts help demonstrate that Afghan farmers can produce successful crops without growing poppies used in opium production," reads a release from the Governor's office.

Zweifel Touts Low-Interest Loan Program

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Springfield Tuesday to tout passage of a program that's designed to help more small businesses and farmers secure low-interest loans.

The expanded linked deposit program allows applicants to borrow loans at lower interest rates.

"Folks, it passed unanimously, which doesn't happen very often in our business," said Zweifel in at Great Southern Bank in Springfield.

*WATCH ZWEIFEL DESCRIBE THE PROGRAM ABOVE*

The Treasurer's office noted that Davis Excavating Company in Rogersville used the program to purchase machines and equipment and Billings & Associates Fine Woodworking in Springfield used the program to expand its cabinet-making business.

Zweifel's expansion includes reinvesting $1 billion dollars an ensuring a 2-3% discount "regardless of what the interest rate is." Says he's helped speed up process for approval from 6 weeks to just one.

Zweifel also said the Treasurer's office would unleash a new marketing push over the next few weeks to make sure the linked deposit program is "touching more parts of the state."

Eye on The Ball

In big write-up about the U.S. Senate race, the AP's David Lieb quotes Roy Blunt saying he'll keep his focus on Robin Carnahan despite a primary challenge from State Sen. Chuck Purgason.

"I think we're going to be able to stay focused on the real job here, which is the comparison to Robin Carnahan and what happens if she gets elected vs. what happens if I get elected," Blunt said to close the piece.

Lieb saves most of the best for last, including a nugget about how GOP consultant Jeff Roe -- who ran Sarah Steelman's unsuccessful 2008 campaign for Governor -- is now aligned with Blunt.

Roe said Blunt has consolidated Republican support through "a retail-politics approach." Since announcing his candidacy in February, Blunt has attended scores of events in 32 counties and the city of St. Louis. "He's gone handshake to handshake, parade to parade, boardroom to boardroom, small business to small business" to broaden his support beyond his southwest Missouri district, Roe said.

Lieb saves the newest nuggets for last -- but you can read it all HERE.

Ashcroft to Speak at Ft. Wood Friday

Former U.S. Attorney John Ashcroft will speak at Fort Leonard Wood this Friday on combating weapons of mass destruction in a post-9/11 environment.

According to the Pulaski County Daily, Ashcroft's speech is in conjunction with a Joint Leaders Course focused on chemical, biological and nuclear training being offered at Fort Leonard Wood's CBRN School.

Ashcroft is scheduled to speak from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Friday.

More details HERE.

Purgason In

State Senator Chuck Purgason told the KY3 Political Notebook Monday night that he'll officially launch his campaign for U.S. Senate this Thursday, setting up a GOP primary match-up against Congressman Roy Blunt.

"People are just not satisfied with the direction we're going, the leadership we've had," said Purgason, in an interview when reached late Monday night.

Asked why he's launching a longshot challenge to Blunt, Purgason said: "I think they had their opportunity when they controlled the House, the Senate and the Presidency and it seemed to be business as usual. And it's not that they were just in charge. He was in leadership."

Purgason, who just began his second term in the State Senate, plans to kick-off his campaign on Thursday at the Ozarks Cafe in West Plains. A 2:00 p.m. news conference is scheduled. Purgason said his campaign launch will include charts that show how the deficit exploded under Republican leadership in Washington. "We can't continue to run up the credit card," he said.

"I think that there is a strong anti-Washington sentiment across the state," Purgason said. "People don't blame Democrats versus Republicans as much as they blame Washington. I think we learned that in the (Kenny) Hulshof race, it was Washington values vs. Missouri values."
***

Purgason, who plans to run as the fiscal conservative in the race, noted that he opposed most of the 2010 budget because it was "balanced on federal money." "It's set us up for fiscal disaster. We shouldn't have used federal money. We should've reduced ongoing expenses, because we're going to pay for it this next year," he said.

Purgason of Caulfield said he hasn't begun soliciting fundraising commitments but is in the process of filing the appropriate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

Asked about how he'll overcome Blunt's tremendous fundraising advantage: "An incumbent's going to need more money than I will to explain what they've been doing in Washington."

Asked about the consolidation of support Blunt has received through endorsements from elected officials: "The endorsements don't bother me. We've looked it up, between all of them there's hundreds of years of government experience in those endorsements."

Purgason's Senate district encompasses seven counties in south central Missouri.