Set Your Clocks Back, But Wake-Up . . .

FOR SUNDAY'S SPECIAL DECISION 2009 OZARKS TODAY
@ 7 AM

Ky3 is assembling a special police & fire pension panel before Tuesday's critical vote.

Mayor Jim O'Neal and two others supportive of the sales tax increase to shore up a $200 million dollar police and fire pension shortfall will answer questions LIVE on OZARKS TODAY.

Anchor Paula Morehouse and myself will deliver the questions that viewers and readers have submitted via Ky3.com, e-mail, Facebook & Twitter.

THEN: The Opponents -- Tom Martz & Fred Ellison will explain why they're voting "no" and are urging others to do the same.

***--- Just two days before the vote ---***

Sunday, 7 AM . . . ONLY on KY3's OZARKS TODAY

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Wardell: Goodman Lacks Passion, Long A Millionaire

NAMING NAMES

"Where the normal guy?"

In candid comments about his Republican opponents, the newest candidate in the 7th Congressional district race said Sen. Jack Goodman lacks passion and auctioneer Billy Long is perceived as a "millionaire" candidate.

*MUST-WATCH CLIPS ABOVE*

Nixa businessman Michael Wardell also unveiled the names of his campaign team Friday. He said Dr. Michael Reber of Southeast Missouri State University and the Harvard School of Education would serve as a policy advisor. He named Joseph Elie, a writer for the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress as his political aide and speechwriter. He said counterintelligence specialist Michael Denning, a Marine Corps veteran, would serve as his chief legislative analyst.

The Notebook also asked Wardell what he thought of his three top opponents:

ON JACK GOODMAN: "I don't see passion in him . . . I don't see somebody who's going to stand up and say, 'you lie' to someone who's a liar."

ON GARY NODLER: "I actually like the man . . . I think we need people like him in the state legislature."

ON BILLY LONG: "They honestly didn't know what party he'd be running for. There are still a lot of people . . . that say, 'what, we're going to send a millionaire . . . to Washington, D.C. He seems to be acting like he's already won the thing."

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Purgason Endorses Hoffman

State Sen. Chuck Purgason is the latest Missouri Republican to back Doug Hoffman for Congress in the New York's 23rd District election Tuesday.

A flock of national conservative figures have backed Hoffman in recent days as he builds momentum in a three-way rae that appears to be increasingly marginalizing the Republican nominee.

"His stand on the issues and his desire to stand for conservative principles have led to my decision. I would like to see Congressman Blunt make a stand on this race but as always, he will probably ignore everything I say and hope that I would just go away," said Purgason, who is running for GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.

"I challenge Congressman Blunt to make a stand but it will surprise me if he responds to anything I have to say. I am just a lowly state Senator deeply concerned and working for the future of this country and our families," Purgason added.

The Hill newspaper notes that Rep. Roy Blunt didn't return multiple requests for comment regarding the 23rd District race.

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Pile Up & On

1,990 PAGE HOUSE HEALTHCARE BILL ---

RAISES THE RHETORIC

Missouri Republicans were falling over each other to make the most striking and eye-popping attacks against the new $894 billion dollar House Democratic healthcare bill.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Congressman Roy Blunt went after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accusing her of "procedural chicanery and shutting Republicans out of crafting legislation." National Review reports Blunt noted that even as they scramble to figure out what's in the 1990 page bill it's "highly likely" that an "800 page amendment will be offered the moment it hits the floor... Nobody will know what’s in this bill 72 hours from now."

Talking Points Memo hit the GOP leadership for not giving any indication of when (or if) they'll offer a clear alternative of their own.

4th District GOP candidate Bill Stouffer called on Congressman Ike Skelton to oppose the legislation, even though Skelton has made clear he does not support a public option: "I call on Ike Skelton to not only vote against this legislation, but to publicly urge his colleagues to oppose this legislation. Ike should listen to his district, which said loud and clear this summer that they did not want more government involved in health care. This bill is a slap across the face of the hard-working farmers, small businesses and families of Missouri’s Fourth District," Stouffer said.

4th District GOP candidate Vicky Hartzler called the legislation "worse than bad." Hartzler didn't mention Skelton and instead listed a 10-point plan that would be in legislation she could support. Hartzler's first point was transparency: "No final votes should be taken until a bill has been printed in full, with a final cost analysis and a common-language explanation where the public can see the bill in full, in the form of a standard bill report."

8th District Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office released the above photo to show the size of the 1,990 page bill. "The legislation contains a public option for health insurance which Emerson opposes, and she says the bill lacks necessary cost savings the American people deserve and require," read the release.

Conspicuously absent: 7th District GOP candidates; Not one sent out a release on the legislation. Also notable: While Skelton's office produced two releases on pork trade with China and small business financing, it had no statement on the House healthcare bill.

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Roll Call: Roe Has Full Slate in 2010

Roll Call's insider column Shop Talk reports that Republican consultant Jeff Roe of Axiom Strategies is advising candidates in almost every competitive or open-seat race in Missouri and neighboring Kansas.

In Missouri, Roe is doing general consulting and direct mail for auctioneer Billy Long in the 7th Congressional District and Bill Stouffer in the 4th Congressional District. He'll also continue to work for Rep. Sam Graves and do direct mail for Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer.

Roe is also managing races in two Congressional districts in Kansas as well as working on House races in California (GOP state Assemblyman Van Tran vs. Rep. Loretta Sanchez) and Florida (Iraq War veteran Allen West vs. Rep. Ron Klein).

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McCaskill Makes No Committment On Medicaid Expansion

Sen. Claire McCaskill made no commitment on her support for a provision in healthcare legislation that would expand Medicaid eligibility and shift some portion of that cost to beleaguered state budgets.

"I think we've got to look at what those costs are," McCaskill said when asked what she thought about that provision. "I think it makes sense for us to expand Medicaid, but not on the backs of the states that don't have the wherewithal to do it right now."

WATCH MORE Q & A ABOVE

As Capitol Calling's Jason Rosenbaum notes, House legislation introduced today would push up Medicaid eligibility levels to 150 percent of the federal poverty levels. Rosenbaum also has VIDEO of McCaskill earlier this year saying it would be hard to "keep the bill deficit neutral," if eligibility was expanded to even 133 percent of the federal poverty level. "I would be shocked if it stayed that high. And I would certainly support it ratcheting down slightly," McCaskill went on at the time.

***

TODAY: McCaskill again said the Congressional Budget Office would serve as her guide. "The analysis for the 10 years of the bill . . . has to be deficit neutral for me to support it," she said, when asked about House legislation.

House legislation revealed Thursday comes in at an estimated cost of $894 billion dollars, and the CBO says it will create deficits over the second five years.

STILL, McCaskill said: "It's not a good financial decision to cut people off Medicaid because we're just paying anyway."

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McCaskill: Opt-Out Public Option Lets States Decide

BUT SIGNALS NO PUBLIC OPTION PREFERENCE
"Just the vegetable on the side . . ."

Sen. Claire McCaskill declined to signal what type of public option program she prefers in healthcare legislation, but said she sees merit in letting states decide.

That's the approach Majority Leader Harry Reid said he'd pursue this week: A public option would be included in the bill taken to the Senate floor, but individual states would have the choice of opting out of the program. That would mean the state legislature and the Governor would have to agree to opting out.

In an interview with Ky3 News Thursday, McCaskill said she's open to all three options being tossed around -- Opting in, Opting Out or a trigger -- but touted the merit of allowing states to make the call. "The closer we get this process to people at home and away from Washington, the better," she said.

*WATCH Q & A WITH CLAIRE ABOVE*

She also said the impact of the public option is being exaggerated because it's controversial.

"It really is just one little vegetable on the side. The huge meal is all the other reforms contained in this bill," McCaskill said.

She cited: Requiring more competitive bidding in the Medicare system and coordinating the care around primary doctors to eliminate duplicate work among specialists.

More Q & A with Sen. McCaskill on healthcare LATER . . .

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Wardell: 7th District GOP Rivals Throw Red Meat, Lack Specifics

A seventh Republican candidate entered the race for the 7th Congressional District seat Wednesday because he said the other GOP candidates aren't offering specific solutions and have mostly been campaigning on "empty rhetoric."

"I don't tell jokes well . . . I'm not going to talk in generalities. I'm not going to throw red meat to a party base," said Michael Wardell, who kicked off his candidacy at the Nixa Community Center.

Business owner and retired Marine Michael Wardell of Nixa said he'll campaign on specifics. He began by offering a list of 10 ideas he'd pledge to fight for if elected.

"The first thing I want to do is I want to reduce the marginal tax rate from 25 down to 15 percent," Wardell said. "I believe in the Fair Tax. We are not going to get there in one jump," he added.

*WATCH CLIP OF CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF ABOVE*

TO READ HIS 10 SPECIFIC GOALS FOR OFFICE, CLICK HERE

"I want more specifics as a constituent and as a candidate. I'm going to articulate those thoughts more accurately than I believe the people who have been running."

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 6 REPORT HERE

Wardell served in the Marines from 1984 to 2001. A native of St. Louis, Wardell spent a good amount of times overseas in Japan due to military deployments and is fluent in Japanese. He is president of BFI, LLC and he owns and operates Oscar's Ribs & BBQ in Nixa.

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No Official Birthday Wishes For Confucius From Emerson

Congressman Jo Ann Emerson voted against a House Resolution recognizing the birth of Confucius in 551 B.C.

"I’m sure Confucius would be pleased to know that he has been honored by the U.S. House of Representatives on his birthday, but unfortunately for us and for him, he died 2,488 years ago," Emerson said in a statement.

"I can think of a lot of Americans (our men and women in uniform, veterans, senior citizens struggling with prescription drug costs and children saddled with trillions of dollars in debt) who would be better served by the valuable time of members of Congress," she added.

Lawmakers voted 361-47 -- with 13 voting "present" and 11 absent altogether -- to celebrate the Chinese philosopher and "his invaluable contributions to philosophy and social and political thought."

Instead of supporting the legislation, Emerson offered her own take on the lessons of Confucius:

"Confucius says: 'An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger,' but our oppressive government will end the fiscal year $1.48 trillion in debt.

Confucius says: 'Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs,' but members of both parties have been shut out of the debate on important health care reforms.

Confucius says: 'The cautious seldom err,' but members of the House didn’t even have the time required to read an onerous Cap-and-Trade bill before it was put to a vote earlier this year.

Confucius says 'He who will not economize will have to agonize,' but the national debt stands at an all-time record $11 trillion and growing.

Confucius says: 'Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated,' and if the majority party in the U.S. House of Representatives needs a new motto – I would highly recommend that one.

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Blunt Blames Obama For Vaccine Shortage and Dems Pounce

TALENT ALSO QUESTIONS VACCINE TIMING

Congressman Roy Blunt blamed the Obama administration Wednesday for failing to ensure widespread availability of H1N1 vaccines across the country at a time when Missouri only has about a quarter of the total amount of vaccine it needs.

"The federal government has clearly failed to meet a basic responsibility to move quickly to ensure the availability of H1N1 vaccines," Blunt said in a statement. "Congress needs to be asking serious questions about why the vaccine isn’t yet widely available, even though we’ve known for six months that we needed to be fully prepared," he added.

The Missouri Democratic Party quickly noted that Blunt voted against a supplemental appropriation bill this year, which included $7.65 billion dollars to help the government prepare for the H1N1 pandemic. Here's the vote: Vote 348, 6/16/09].

"Congressman Blunt has turned a public safety issue into a political football and once again he’s on the attack with no real solutions of his own," said Brian Zuzenak, Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party, in a statement.

"The American people expect the federal government to protect them in the face of a pandemic," Blunt said. "If the current administration cannot manage what is a basic responsibility of the federal government, how can they be expected to micro-manage doctor-patient relationships? Is this what we can expect from government-run health care?," he added.

Zuzenak fired back: "The real outrage is that Congressman Blunt voted against funding to fight H1N1 and prepare the public, and then has the nerve to act outraged at preparedness efforts."

Earlier in the day, former Sen. Jim Talent also questioned why H1N1 vaccines weren't available before school started. Talent's newly formed group, American Freedom and Enterprise Foundation, issued a release saying the current shortage underscores "the severe lack of U.S. preparedness in responding to pandemics, whether through natural disease transmission or manmade bioterrorist attacks."

The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, of which Talent serves as vice-chair, also released a video on a new website called http://www.fastervaccines.org/.

"The video takes a light approach to a serious issue," said Talent. "We want the public to know there are better options, and encourage policymakers to have the foresight to invest in them."

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Poll Shows Marginal Support For Pension Sales Tax

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Less than a week before Springfield's big decision on a police and fire pension tax, a new poll released exclusively to Ky3 News shows a closely divided contest.

The Missouri State University poll shows a slight, but barely measurable edge for those supportive of a pension sales tax.

"I'm not that surprised," said polling director Brian Calfano of the results. "I would've been more surprised if it looked like a blow out on either end," he said.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

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VIDEO: Nixon Says Cuts Protect Priorities

DEFENDS CUTS TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Gov. Jay Nixon said his $204 million dollars in spending cuts were necessary to avert a budget disaster but added that his plan protects his major priorities of education, healthcare and jobs.

"While we have reduced $634 million dollars in spending, we have protected our priorities," the Governor said, despite cuts to healthcare providers.

"I actually expect that having budget challenges and actually dollar challenges, will bring people together. I think it brings out the best in Missourians," Nixon said after outlining new cuts Wednesday.

BUT: "I can't rule out that we're not going to have to come back and make some additional restrictions," Nixon added.

*WATCH CLIPS OF HIS PRESSER ABOVE*

Highlights:

• In four months, he's now line-item vetoed or cut $634 million dollars in spending
• Stressed no cuts to Medicaid eligibility and said that the state is actually covering 20,000 more children since the beginning of this year.
• With 450 part-time and 200 full-time state worker cuts, the Governor has now slashed a total of 1700 state worker positions since the start of 2009.
• Said budget process would've been easier if the House embraced his healthcare proposal that would have tapped federal money.
• Noted Missouri is the only Midwest state to achieve a AAA bond rating from all three firms
• On cuts to providers: "Seeing that reimbursement rates for service provides match the Medicare rate instead of above that doesn't cut access."

READ The Notebook's Tweet-by-Tweet compilation of Nixon's cuts HERE, including critiques from the Lieutenant Governor's office.

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MSU's First Political Poll . . .

Revealed Exclusively on Ky3 News @ 10

DEVELOPING . . .

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Nixon Announces $200 M in Cuts

NIXON'S BUDGET PLAN reported Via Tweet
From Jefferson City Politicos
*Missourinet, St. Louis Post-Dispatch & Kinder COS*

Faced with lagging general revenue, Governor Jay Nixon announced $204 million dollars in spending cuts Wednesday (via @Missourinet).

The cuts will impact maintenance, the Arts Council, broadband services and total around 400 part-time and 200 full-time state jobs (@Missourinet). But Nixon said the cuts will not impact education or Medicaid eligibility (@VirginiaYoung).

"We don't print money. We must balance the budget," Nixon told reporters at the midday news conference (@Missourinet).

The Lieutenant Governor's office was immediately critical of Nixon's budget blueprint, and contested that the cuts would, in fact, hit education and healthcare.

"$204 million won't even pay back the debt he owes to budget reserve," said Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's chief of staff Rich AuBuchon (@RichAuBuchon). AuBuchon also took aim at Nixon's proposed cuts to healthcare providers. "Without good provider rates docs won't see Medicaid patients. He wanted to expand Medicaid. Provider rate cuts hurt Medicaid recipients just the same," AuBuchon said. (@RichAuBuchon).

"Nixon just cut Medicaid by $32.5 million. No wonder Nixon didn't sign onto the letter to Congress in support of Medicaid expansion," AuBuchon went on. (@RichAuBuchon).

Nixon did outline $32.5 million dollars in cuts to Medicaid spending, although they won't involve eligibility reductions (@Missourinet.) One of the largest cuts involves trimming maintenance and repair of state buildings by $20 million dollars (@VirginiaYoung). Life science research will be cut by $13 million, broadband will lose $8.8 million and the Arts Council budget will take a $4.4 million dollar hit (@VirginiaYoung.) The Department of Mental Health community program will lose $3 million (@Missourinet).

And while basic aid to schools remains intact, cuts will hit transportation, character education and virtual education (@VirginiaYoung).

Nixon predicted revenue would decline around five or six percent this fiscal year, not at the current 10% rate (@VirginiaYoung).

AuBuchon said that estimate seemed optimistic.

"Does Nixon really think income tax and sales tax will rebound by April? Big gamble especially with almost 10% unemployment," he said (@RichAuBuchon.)

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Mayor Wins A Convert In Final Pension Tax Push

If it succeeds in this turbulent economic climate, no one person will be more responsible for passage of the 3/4-cent sales tax hike than Mayor Jim O'Neal, who has been tirelessly trying to reach the persuadable -- no matter how big or small the group.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

On Tuesday night, at the Lion's Club, O'Neal's presentation won over at least one skeptic.

"I wasn't sure that I was for it but, after his presentation, I think I've changed my mind. I probably will vote for the sales tax," Robert Stueven said.

Springfield voters will decide Tuesday whether to raise its sales tax for five years to make up a $200 million dollar shortfall in the police and fire pension fund.

PLUS: SUNDAY
A special edition of Ozarks Today Weekend
@ 7 AM
A special panel of city officials will field your questions.

SUBMIT THEM HERE -- @Ky3.com -- ON FACEBOOK --- ON TWITTER

Or by e-mail: dcatanese@ky3.com

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Stouffer Stumps in Stockton Wednesday

Fourth District Congressional candidate Sen. Bill Stouffer will campaign in Lockwood and Stockton Wednesday.

Stouffer will answer questions from constituents about his campaign against Congressman Ike Skelton. Stouffer must first win a Republican primary against multiple candidates, including former state representative Vicky Hartzler.

His scheduled stops:

IN LOCKWOOD from 9:15 to 10:45 AM at S & H Farm Supply on 7 East 7th Street
IN STOCKTON from 12:15-1:15 PM at High Lonesome Restaurant on 510 East Highway 32

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Long Backs Hoffman in New York 23rd

7th District Congressional candidate Billy Long is endorsing Doug Hoffman in the 23rd District election in New York.

Long announced Tuesday on his campaign website he sent a contribution to Hoffman, who is running under the banner of the Conservative Party as an alternative to the Republican Party's candidate, Dede Scozzafava, who is widely viewed as too liberal for most conservatives.

"I am pleased to back a fellow conservative for U.S. Congress. Hopefully by electing more conservatives, we can send a very loud message to Washington D.C. that we have had enough of politics as usual," said Long in a statement.

Long said he's endorsing Hoffman because he's a fellow small businessman who "is pro-life, defends the second amendment and supports lower taxes and fiscal responsibility."

Long's move is a way to bolster his conservative credentials in a crowded 7th District primary race. "The Republican base in most states has views almost identical to Hoffman’s and opposite to Scozzafava," University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato recently told POLITICO.

Republicans Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson and Tim Pawlenty have all backed Hoffman in the 23rd District's three-way race.

Political analysts believe the three-way race to fill New York's House seat is too close to call just one week from the election. But some believe it's conceivable that Scozzafava could come in third place.

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Blunt: Reid Plan Is Path To Single Payer

Congressman Roy Blunt is calling Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's healthcare bill a "pathway towards a single payer system," even as some of his House Republican colleagues are frustrated about the lack of a concrete GOP alternative.

"Don't be fooled by the talk of compromise," Blunt said in a statement. "Senator Reid's plan reverts right back to a pathway toward a single-payer system. Once the government is a competitor, it very quickly becomes the only competitor, limiting health care access and options for American families," Blunt added.

Meanwhile, The Hill reported Tuesday that some in the Republican caucus want the GOP to introduce their own bill, even if it has no chance of passing.

"There’s a difference of opinion over what ought to be the strategy from a political standpoint on this issue. I happen to believe we ought to have a bill," said Rep. Tom Price of Georgia.

The Hill also paints Blunt's position this way: "Prior to the August recess, Rep. Roy Blunt (Mo.) the head of the GOP Healthcare Solutions Group, admitted that his party didn’t need to offer a unified plan, noting that Democrats were taking so much heat for the proposals moving through the lower chamber at that time."

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Report: Missouri Public Defender System "On The Brink"

A new report characterizes Missouri's criminal justice system as on the brink of collapse because of mounting caseloads that are overwhelming the state's public defender system.

The even bigger issue is that there seems to be no long-term solution in sight.

This is not a new problem. But the report poses a new sense of urgency, because little has improved since the last study in 2005. One stark statistic: Only Mississippi spends less on indigent defense than Missouri.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Read a summary of the George Mason report HERE.

Read Nixon's veto of public defender reform Senate Bill 37 HERE.

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Long Nets Another 'Get'

Tom Carter, a key Republican player in the 7th Congressional district and a prolific fundraiser for Congressman Roy Blunt, has signed on to help Billy Long's U.S. House campaign, The Notebook has learned.

Carter, who was said to be deciding between Long and Sen. Jack Goodman's campaign, notified the Goodman camp of his decision late last week.

Long said he was thrilled to have Carter's endorsement.

"No one knows the 7th District like Tom," said Long. "I know Tom was close to Hal Donaldson so I didn't bug him until Hal decided not to run. I called Tom the day Hal announced his decision and have been trying to get his endorsement ever since," Long added.

Goodman's campaign declined to comment.

The pick-up for Long continues a series of good news bits for a campaign that appears to be gaining momentum less than ten months from the August 2010 primary. Long's fundraising numbers have turned heads among political insiders from Branson to Jefferson City.

Long's campaign operation is also more willing to play up its positive developments in the media than his two other main rivals.

Carter will not hold an official role on Long's campaign team, but rather assist with fundraising and grass roots efforts. Carter did not immediately return a call for comment Monday evening.

Carter's alliance with Long also sets up an intriguing inner-party dynamic. Carter, who used to manage license fee offices along with his wife Leslie during Gov. Matt Blunt's administration, is also helping 4th District GOP candidate Vicky Hartzler.

Hartzler's main rival for the nomination is Sen. Bill Stouffer, whose campaign is being run by Kansas City-based GOP consultant Jeff Roe. Roe has also gotten behind Long's effort and is expected to be ramping up his engagement in the 7th District in the coming months.

Goodman has a familiar GOP name leading his fundraising efforts. Heather Grote,was the chief fundraiser for Sen. Kit Bond's political action committee, KITPAC, and has also signed onto Blunt's U.S. Senate campaign.

But Goodman's third quarter fundraising effort was widely seen as a disappointment, putting more pressure on Grote and the rest of the campaign to keep up with Long in the remaining months of the year.

Multiple sources also say that Goodman's camp is angling to get Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore out of the race.

One consultant, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Goodman is worried about Moore peeling away potential support.

But former Blunt chief of staff and GOP player Gregg Hartley also signaled Monday that Long may want Moore out of the race.

"Caller tells me both Goodman and Long trying to get Darrell Moore out of primary in MO-7th congressional; good reasons for him to resist," Hartley wrote in a Twitter post.

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NATO Summons Schweich

Republican candidate for Auditor Tom Schweich is heading to Germany to help NATO provide a training program on crime and corruption in Afghanistan.

Team Schweich made the announcement Monday in an e-mail to supporters.

The message says that Schweich would be taking "a few days off the campaign trail this week."

"Tom had the honor of being invited by the head of NATO training to go to Germany to provide a training program on crime and corruption in Afghanistan to NATO officers about to deploy to Afghanistan. In addition to his strong background in law enforcement, investigations, and audits, Tom is recognized as one of the world's leading experts on Afghanistan - having spent time there when he worked as an ambassador in the Bush Administration," reads the message.

The campaign e-mail also touts Schweich's record third quarter fundraising and his endorsement list, prominently featuring a quote by Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt.

"The momentum is building," reads the message. "In just a few days, Tom will be back on the campaign trail with his usual energy and enthusiasm."

Schweich is facing Budget Chair Allen Icet for the Republican nomination for State Auditor in 2010.

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Blunt Taps Wagner in Hopes of Boost in St. Louis

In a move that shows the critical importance of St. Louis to his campaign, Congressman Roy Blunt tapped former U.S. ambassador and Republican heavyweight Ann Wagner to chair his bid for U.S. Senate next year.

"Ann Wagner is the most effective and successful statewide Republican campaigner in decades." said Blunt in a statement. "She is the best possible person for this critical leadership role," he added.

"She will be very involved in the decisions we are making, the overall direction of the campaign and will have a lot of input on policy, but won't be bogged down in the day to day management," Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer told The Notebook.

Blunt said he chose Wagner "because no one has greater knowledge and capability to produce a tremendous Republican vote in the St. Louis area."

With the Carnahan family entrenched in the St. Louis region, Blunt will need a big GOP turnout in the surrounding counties if he's to defeat his likely Democratic opponent Robin Carnahan.

The goal will likely be to contain Carnahan's margin in St. Louis County. In 2008, candidate Barack Obama defeated John McCain there by 20 points. But in St. Charles County, McCain beat Obama by about 10 points.

In 2006, candidate Claire McCaskill beat then Sen. Jim Talent by 12 points in St. Louis County. In St. Charles County, Talent beat McCaskill by about 9 points.

In addition to her four-year term as ambassador to Luxembourg, Wagner was co-chair of the Republican National Committee for two terms and was chair of the Missouri Republican Party for more than six years.

"Robin Carnahan is Missouri's Nancy Pelosi. She would serve as a weak rubber stamp for whatever the national liberals want to do and lacks the credentials to serve in the U.S. Senate," said Wagner in the Blunt campaign statement.

The Missouri Democratic Party portrayed Wagner as Washington insider who's been part of the "money merry-go-round."

But the addition of Wagner is the latest sign that Blunt has consolidated the support of most of the major Republican players in the state around his campaign.

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McCaskill: Some Type of Public Option Plan Will Likely Pass

KEY MODERATE EXPRESSES OPTIMISM ABOUT PUBLIC PLAN
"OPT-OUT" GAINING TRACTION

Senator Claire McCaskill said Sunday that public support for a public healthcare option is growing because this is the time of year employees enroll in their benefits plans and rising premium costs are at the forefront of their minds.

"One of the reasons, I think, the polling has improved for what we're doing in Washington is that it's open enrollment period right now. And so many people are looking, once again, at another year where they're not going to get a raise because all of their raise is going to go to increased health care costs," McCaskill said.

Still, during her appearance on ABC's This Week, McCaskill acknowledged she was concerned about losing the support of moderate Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine.

"I think, though, that the devil we know is much worse than what we're proposing to do," McCaskill said, reasserting her support for some type of public option.

A flurry of contradictory media reports late last week about the fate of the public option show how fluid the delicate legislative negotiations are for House and Senate Democratic leaders.

But McCaskill seemed optimistic that the Senate would end up voting on some type of public plan which includes either a trigger or an option for the states to opt in or out.

"I think what we're going to end up with is having votes on a number of choices: the ability for states to opt in to some kind of not-for-profit plan; the ability for states to opt out of some kind of not-for-profit plan to compete with the private insurance companies on this exchange; and then the option to trigger a not-for-profit plan if the insurance companies don't manage to bring down costs within a certain period of time," McCaskill said.

She did not stipulate which type of plans she prefers. But McCaskill said she believed Congress would pass a healthcare bill that would include some type of "public not-for-profit option among many private options."

Late Sunday CNN reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was poised to introduce a Senate health care bill with a public health insurance option that would allow states to opt out.

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Week 41: Nixon's Grade

NIXON'S WEEK 41 GRADE: B -

Jobs became the central theme of Gov. Nixon's agenda last week. First, the news that the Department of Natural Resources would trim 100 jobs from the parks division; then, a swing through community colleges to assess what they need to train tomorrow's workforce when companies begin hiring again. With Missouri's unemployment rate hovering around 9.5%, there is no more urgent task at hand for Nixon. Vocational and technical education aren't as sexy as the traditional programs at the University of Missouri and Missouri State, but the visits convinced community college leaders that Nixon is serious about what they view as "the backbone" for workforce development. Still, falling general revenue continue to stare the Governor in the face at every turn. "We would have to talk about getting additional funding," Nixon told The Joplin Globe after his stop in Neosho. In St. Louis, the tight budget may sideline a hub for Chinese cargo flights at Lambert airport. The state money to help make it happen has been frozen. "Economic conditions do not allow us to make any additional financial commitment at this time," Acting Director of Economic Development Katie Steele Danner told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. And as Jason Rosenbaum noted for the St. Louis Beacon, even Nixon's prized priority of Medicaid expansion remains in doubt. Call it responsible governing or a reversal on a campaign pledge, but Nixon continues to signal he'll proceed with caution on any kind of healthcare expansion. What a difference a year -- and an economic meltdown -- makes.

Read more...

Anti-Beverage Tax Ad Sparks Confusion About School District's Role

A national group opposing the idea of new taxes on beverages is hitting the airwaves hard in Missouri, featuring two prominent community members from the Ozarks to deliver their message.

But one ad featuring the Republic school district's Activities Director has already come down. But It's unclear exactly why.

"It is confusing and it did lead to confusion," said Republic school board president Melissa DuVall.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

WATCH THE AD FEATURING REPUBLIC'S GREG GARTON

(Stopped running his week)

WATCH THE AD FEATURING TEAMSTER ROGER CHAPEL

(Continues to air)

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McConnell, McCaskill . . . McCaskill, McConnell

Sen. Claire McCaskill will appear on "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos this Sunday.

She'll appear after Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to discuss the progress on a public option in healthcare legislation, putting the squeeze on Wall Street pay and Afghanistan.

*Get your full Sunday morning TV line-up HERE.

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Spiritual Bonds Unite Emerson & Cleaver

TIES THAT BIND

POLITICO reports a Washington, D.C. prayer and Bible study group has helped forge a spiritual bond between Kansas City Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and Southeast Missouri Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

The bond has become so tight, reports Alex Isenstadt, that Cleaver refused an overture from a Missouri Democrat who was seeking his support in a prospective campaign against Emerson.

The Politico piece examines how "C Street" bonds sometimes trump partisan considerations.

Emerson is being challenged by Democratic candidate Tommy Sowers, a U.S. Special Forces officer .

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Carnahan to Israel

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan will travel to Israel next week at the invitation of The Jewish Foundation.

Carnahan will travel with Missouri community and business leaders in her role as Secretary of State. A spokesman said the trip was not related to her U.S. Senate campaign.

Carnahan campaign spokesman Linden Zakula said Carnahan is expected to meet with national and local Israeli government officials and community leaders "to examine how the Middle East conflict has impact local communities and better understand the security challenges they face."

The trip includes stops in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Sderot and the surrounding Gaza region.

"Israel has been our greatest ally in pursuing democracy and stability in the Middle East," said Carnahan in a statement. "The United States and Israel share a commitment to halting nuclear proliferation, containing anti-democratic regimes and above all achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East."

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Pitt For Long

Springfield businessman and philanthropist Doug Pitt will hold a fundraiser for 7th District Congressional candidate Billy Long next Thursday.

Pitt, who is the brother of the actor Brad Pitt, was an early ally of Convoy of Hope president Hal Donaldson, who flirted with a U.S. House bid earlier this year. Donaldson since decided against a run.

The October 29th "meet and greet," which will be held at Pitt's home, is being billed as "The Long Road to Washington," according to a fundraising invitation provided to The Notebook.

The invitation to the "reception supporting Republican Congressional candidate Billy Long" lists 97 hosts in addition to 34 sponsors.

Of note on the invitation is the listing of Tom Hearne, and his wife, LeeAnn as one of the hosts for the event. Hearne is the brother of former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

"You're seeing some of the Steelman elements of support move towards Long," said a Long backer. "Football is a game of inches, and Billy is moving the ball."

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McCaskill: Ruckus I Raised Caused Compensation Crackdown

Sen. Claire McCaskill told KY3 News she thinks the complaints she raised about executive pay helped prompt the Obama administration's unprecedented cuts in salaries Thursday.

The Treasury Department ordered seven big companies that haven't repaid their government bailout money to cut their top executives' average total compensation — salary and bonuses — in half, starting in November.

"I think the ruckus that I raised and others raised in Congress about executive pay and bonuses has had an impact," McCaskill said. "If those companies want to be able to pay people more than they're worth, then they need to to pay us back with interest."

*WATCH CLIPS ABOVE*

PLUS: On H1N1 vaccine delays, says government isn't the problem, but rather the manufacturers that overestimated how quickly they could produce the vaccine.

Says anyone who wants a dose should be able to get it by the end of November

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A Quarter Of Blunt's 3rd Quarter Haul Came From PACS

PLUS: BURN BABY BURN

Blunt & Carnahan Both Post Burn Rates Over 40%

Twenty-seven percent of Congressman Roy Blunt's third quarter campaign contributions came from political action committees (PACS).

The Hotline broke down contributions to 2010 U.S. Senate candidates and found that Blunt received a total of $358,700 from PACS.

His likely Democratic opponent, Robin Carnahan, received $127,815 from PACS, amounting to about 12 percent of her total money raised between July and September.

"When you look at how many lobbyists and corporations are funding his campaign, it becomes obvious that he has been in Washington too long," said Missouri Democratic Party executive director Brian Zuzenak, referring to Blunt's fundraising haul.

But money from PACS is a two-party game. Only three 2010 U.S. Senate candidates took in more PAC cash than Blunt over the last three months: All are incumbents, two are Democrats (Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid & Sen. Blanche Lincoln).

Still, Democrats believe Blunt's slight fundraising advantage over Carnahan is directly due to his PAC money advantage.

Overall last quarter, Blunt outraised Carnahan by $231,404. Counting just PAC money, Blunt beat Carnahan by just about the same margin, $230,858.

But as The Hotline notes, both Blunt and Carnahan area also some of the top Senate candidate spenders across the country.

Blunt spent $789,985, which was the fifth highest burn rate during the 3rd quarter. Carnahan spent $601,481, which put her not far behind.

That means Blunt has spent 44% of what he's raised since the beginning of the cycle. Carnahan has burned through 42% of her total campaign funds already.

But neither camp is likely concerned. As a marquee battleground match-up, there will be lots of more cash for both camps to burn through.

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Carnahan Denies Ties to ACORN

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan told students at the University of Missouri she has no ties to ACORN, the community activist group that's increasingly come under fire for questionable practices.

The Missouri Republican Party distributed VIDEO of Carnahan's response to a question about ACORN on YouTube HERE. (The MoGOP did not shoot this video; rather it was shot by Arthur Nunn)

CORRECTION: "I'm not sure how you got that the "Missouri Republican Party Posted VIDEO" because I posted that video not them," wrote Nunn to The Notebook.

In fact, a review of Nunn's Twitter and social network posts shows he's more inclined to support liberal positions. The Notebook regrets the error.
"I don't have any ties to ACORN. Not sure why they did that, I think, just to have something to talk about," Carnahan said in a response to a student's question.

The MoGOP recently put up a website dedicated to outlining Carnahan's connections with ACORN. The site shows conversations between Carnahan's staff and ACORN involving research questions and planning meetings. It does not appear to allege anything unlawful, but rather connect Carnahan to ACORN because she hasn't publicly criticized the group for its legal problems.

Specifically, the MoGOP shows ACORN praising Carnahan for her help in defeating photo I.D. legislation in Jefferson City. They also show Carnahan's staff aiding ACORN in its research efforts regarding the same issue.

MoGOP Executive Director Lloyd Smith said Carnahan's claim that she has "no ties" is outlandish. "The documents, obtained by the Missouri Republican Party, tell the real story about what ACORN calls a ‘great team effort,’ detailing meetings in her office, events, research requests, and more. Despite Carnahan’s attempts to re-write history, the evidence is as incriminating as it is clear: Robin Carnahan and ACORN are too close for comfort," said Smith in a statement.

Carnahan acknowledged Missouri has had issues with ACORN. "I've called on law enforcement officials to prosecute anybody who violates the election laws, whether its ACORN or anybody else," Carnahan said.

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Talent on McCaskill

Former Senator Jim Talent takes a pass at evaluating the woman who replaced him in the Senate in 2006, but is clearly keeping his options open for a re-match with Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2012.

"That's one of the good things about not being in office yourself," Talent said, responding to a question about McCaskill.

*LISTEN TO OUR EXCHANGE ABOVE*

"I agree with Claire on some things and disagree with her on other things," Talent said.

On 2012: "I don't plan too far ahead. And I think increasingly in this political environment, it's impossible to, because things change so quickly."

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Talent: Obama Admin. Behind Bioterror Threat Curve

"They haven't fully come to grasp with it."

*LISTEN TO EXCERPTS OF PHONE INTERVIEW ABOVE*

Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent said President Obama's administration is behind the curve on the threat of bioterrorism, which he considers a bigger challenge to the United States than nuclear proliferation.

The findings came in a new report by the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, in which Talent serves as vice-chair.

"What we've seen in the last several administrations is they come in without really recognizing the bio threat and then they sort of learn over time. We don't have time for that kind of learning curve," Talent warned in an interview with The Notebook Wednesday.

The Commission report cited a range of problems and Talent said they mostly boiled down to lacking experienced members in government and a basic organizational structure that could adequately deal with a bioterror attack.

USA Today summarizes the report's findings HERE.

Talent noted that the Obama administration currently has no senior official dedicated to bioterrorism and criticized a lack of funding for such countermeasures like stockpiling vaccines and distribution planning, if such an attack were to occur.

"They don't have the right people. They're not funding at the level that makes anything close to sense given the urgency of the threat," Talent said.

Talent said bioterrorism is a bigger potential problem than nuclear because "it's easier to weaponize and easier to stockpile." He said a bioterror attack in an American city could net a similar result to a nuclear attack.

The progress report is available at www.preventwmd.gov. The Commission will release a more formal report card in January 2010.

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Nixa Marine Plans Campaign for Congress

LUCKY 7

"We have only heard a few ideas . . . from the people running."

Nixa business owner and retired disabled Marine Michael Wardell plans to become the seventh Republican candidate for the 7th District Congressional seat.

Wardell said Wednesday he would officially announce his U.S. House bid next Monday, Oct. 26th at the Nixa Community Center.

"There are many problems that affect our way of life here in the Ozarks,” said Wardell. "The economy, national security, health care, and energy are just a start. I have been hearing a lot of great input from those around me that are concerned as I am about these and other issues. They want answers, not rhetoric," said Wardell in a statement sent to The Notebook. "I’ll give you answers because what we need in D.C. is a reality check not political hype. Reality over Politics," Wardell added.

***

Wardell said if elected, he would pledge to only serve four terms or eight years.

He said he would focus on limiting Congressional power, providing middle class tax relief and "addressing the reality of the $45 Trillion dollar deficit."

Read more detail on Wardell's positions on his campaign site HERE.

Read his full press release HERE.

"The challenges we face as Americans are monumental. We are a nation besieged by 4 crises. The economy remains in recession, we are at war, Cap and Trade threatens to raise our energy bills over 100%, and the current administration is attempting to hurt Seniors Medicare coverage and working Americans health insurance coverage without addressing Tort reform. America does not need this kind of leadership. And we have only heard a few ideas and a few plans from the people who have been running," Wardell.

The other six GOP candidates in the race to replace Congressman Roy Blunt are Sens. Jack Goodman and Gary Nodler, auctioneer Billy Long, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore, instructor Jeff Wisdom and health worker Mike Moon.

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Icet Rolls Out Southwest Missouri Support

GOP State Auditor candidate Allen Icet touted endorsements from all his state House colleagues in the 7th Congressional district during a campaign swing through Southwest Missouri Tuesday.

Icet's campaign announced that Joplin State Rep. Marylin Ruestman and former Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt would serve as his 7th District campaign chairs.

He also announced his grass roots captains in each county. In Greene County, they include City Councilman Nick Ibarra, Circuit Clerk Steve Helms as well as GOP stalwarts Thelma Neff and Larry Russell. Prosecutor Ron Cleek has signed on to help in Christian County.

Check out Icet's endorsement page on his website, where he has question marks over the names of some House colleagues who have not yet signed on. The page seems not to be up to date to include the public endorsements of lawmakers like Rep. Shane Schoeller, Rep. Eric Burlison and others.

Icet boasts 4 State Senate endorsements, but none from Southwest Missouri.
***
$$$ MONEY WATCH $$$: During the 3rd fundraising quarter, Icet raised a total $4,300 out of Southwest Missouri. Cassville Rep. David Sater donated $1000 and Marshfield Rep. Mike Cunningham donated $500.

Meanwhile Tom Schweich raised $88,575 out of Southwest Missouri zip codes.

Icet's Overall Burn Rate (% of Money Raised That's Already Been Spent): 42%
(Icet received two contributions totalling $31,000 after the Sept. 30th that are required to be reported but will show up on the 4th Quarter fundraising report.)
Tom Schweich's Overall Burn Rate: 7%

Icet is competing with former U.S. ambassador Tom Schweich for the GOP nomination.

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