Rove Notes Donation to Blunt

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Republican strategist Karl Rove celebrates a "stellar" class of GOP U.S. Senate candidates for the 2010 cycle and notes that of the two Republicans he's contributed financially to, one is Roy Blunt.

"Republicans have also recruited good candidates for their open seats. New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is competitive, as are Ohio's Rob Portman and Missouri's Roy Blunt," writes Rove.

"Republicans in Florida have to get through a primary fight, but either Gov. Charlie Crist or former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio will likely hold the seat. (I've donated to Messrs. Blunt and Rubio.) ," he continues.

Read Rove's entire piece HERE.

Shields Introduces Lobbyist Contribution Ban During Session

Senate Leader Charlie Shields introduced legislation Tuesday that would bar lobbyists from contributing to any incumbent legislator or the Governor during the legislative session that runs between January and May.

Tuesday is the first day lawmakers can file legislation for the 2010 session.

Shields' three-pronged legislation would also create the position of an independent investigator within the Ethics Commission to investigate violations and file complaints and increase financial disclosure among staffers. He said the ethics reform package is in direct response to the resignation of three elected officials this year.

"Ethics violations are unacceptable, especially because of the damage they cause to the public’s trust in our democratic process," Sen. Shields said. “I believe we should continue to build on reforms we passed in 2007 by bringing even more transparency and accountability to the process in every way we can," he said in a statement.

The most far-reaching and potentially controversial measure is the contribution ban on lobbyists during the session. The ban would cover contributions to "any incumbent legislator’s candidate committee, incumbent governor's candidate committee, any continuing committee, or any campaign committee during the regular session of the General Assembly that runs from January to May."

In addition, the ban would apply to "any incumbent governor's candidate committee or and any continuing or campaign committee when legislation from the regular session awaits gubernatorial action." Incumbents seeking office in a special election would be exempted. In the legislation, a lobbyist is defined as "someone who is employed to influence legislation on a regular basis."

"We should work to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest and you can’t do that if you continue to allow campaign contributions while the Legislature is in session," Sen. Shields said.

The only exemption in the bill would be for those incumbents seeking office in a special election. According to the legislation, a lobbyist is defined as someone who is employed to influence legislation on a regular basis.

Another provision would require all employees and staff of the General Assembly to file yearly financial interest statements disclosing supplemental income received totaling $5,000 or more. Shields said the disclosure must include the source of the income and the general nature of the business conducted.

The Senate bill will be assigned a number by the end of the day and full text of the legislation will be available here in the coming weeks.

Blunt Explains PAC Money

Congressman Roy Blunt noted that political action committees (PACS) were meant as part of a campaign finance reform after the Watergate scandal, while seemingly dismissing a USA Today report on lobbyist contributions he's received.

"Lobbyist money is when a lobbyist would write a personal check. That's their money and they write a check. I have no idea how much money that might be," said Blunt in an interview.

In an Oct. 4th story, USA Today listed Blunt as the top federal recipient of lobbyist money in 2009.

Blunt seemed to dismiss the story, saying it focused on PAC money -- not lobbyist money.

A Blunt spokesperson said the Congressman misspoke. "You are correct. He did misspeak. He was addressing a different point of attack," said spokesman Rich Chrismer.

*WATCH FULL EXCHANGE ABOVE*

ON PACS: "Remember the PACS were a reform after Watergate . . . so individuals could put their money together and speak as loudly as campaigns used to speak."

UPDATED 7:37 PM: MO DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE

"LENIENT POST"

"What concerns me is that you seem to bury the fact that he was entirely wrong about the focus of the article," Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Ryan Hobart wrote The Notebook in an e-mail late Thursday. "In fact, it doesn't even come up until you quote Rich Chrismer in the second to last paragraph. It is also noticeable that you were lenient when Congressman Blunt avoided addressing the large amounts of lobbyist money being given to his campaign. I know you are more than willing to hold Secretary Carnahan's feet to the fire by saying she is "tap dancing" around the issues, but the same level of urgency did not come through in today's post about Blunt," Hobart continued.

Stouffer For Skelton

The brother of Sen. Bill Stouffer donated $200 to Congressman Ike Skelton's re-election campaign just last month, according to third quarter campaign finance reports published Thursday.

Saline County prosecutor Donald Stouffer of Marshall, Mo. donated $200 to Skelton on Sept. 4th, according to Skelton's campaign finance report. Don is the brother of Bill Stouffer, one of several candidates running for the GOP nomination to challenge Skelton in 2010.

Just three days ago, Skelton met with local law enforcement officials in Saline County, according to The Marshall-Democrat News.

The article states that Skelton spent most of his time listening to policing difficulties. Don Stouffer talked about one individual who was in America illegally, but served as a helpful interpreter to police.

"What really bothers me is that we had this individual who was helping law enforcement, serving free as an interpreter, . . . was a good citizen, had be been a citizen, and they went after him, but we have people that commit crimes, and they won't come get them. There's an inconsistency there that I can't begin to explain," Stouffer said in the piece.

Long Donating In Other GOP Primaries

Newly filed campaign finance reports show that 7th District Republican Congressional candidate Billy Long is spreading some of his wealth to other GOP candidates locked in contested primaries.

Long's third quarter report filed with the Federal Election Commission Wednesday shows he donated $2400 to Sen. Bill Stouffer's 4th District GOP primary effort.

Long said he decided to donate to Stouffer because he spent time with him within a few days of Congressman Ike Skelton's vote on cap and trade energy legislation. "I thought he was a good conservative," Long told The Notebook. "He asked if I could contribute and I said yes."

Stouffer is locked in a 4th District primary with former Rep. Vicky Hartzler and at least three other announced candidates.

"One of the things you don't do is get involved in another primary for Congress," said a political observer with ties to one of Long's rivals. "The Hartzler people will go ballistic, especially with the districts butting up against each other," this politico added.

***

Billy Long Auctions is also listed as a contributor to State Auditor candidate Tom Schweich. Schweich's report, filed Tuesday, shows Long Auctions donating $1,000 on August 24th.

Schweich is running against House Budget Chair Allen Icet for the GOP nomination for State Auditor.

Moneyball Approacheth

LOWERING THE BAR

Two days before third quarter campaign finance reports will be made public, political aides and allies are furiously lowering expectations for their candidates in a fundraising environment that in many ways mirrors that national economic slump.

Campaigns closely guard their numbers and strategically release them at a time and in the venue of their choosing. Most will trickle out summary reports Thursday. Inevitably, some will be leaked earlier to targeted media outlets for specific reasons. But not much of it is accidental.

The psychological impacts of the reports on the shape of the race are almost as valuable as the raw dollars. And some camps have conjured up more ways to spin their numbers than actual donors. As a result, The Notebook has prepared a simple study sheet to help guide you through Thursday's mountain of dollar signs and zeros.

Here are 10 KEY ITEMS to ponder:

1. The Blunt-Carnahan TIEBREAKER: Robin easily won the first quarter; Roy came roaring back in Q2 -- giving him a $400K overall lead. If he maintains or expands his cash-on-hand advantage on anti-Obama momentum, count it a win for Blunt. Both will have the cash necessary to run an all-out slugfest. This is more about mind games.

2. PAC MONEY with PUNCH: Carnahan's already gone after Blunt for insurance money. What other potential radioactive political action committee dollars are on each candidate's balance sheets for oppo-researchers to use as ammunition?

3. How many 7th District candidates top $100K in Q3.

4. Putting aside that the 4th Quarter will be more telling than the 3rd, how much of a financial advantage will Sen. Bill Stouffer's incumbency give him over former Representative Vicky Hartzler in the 4th District GOP primary?

5. Does Tom Schweich's establishment big-money support solidify him as the GOP frontrunner in the campaign for State Auditor?

6. In the uphill 8th District for Democrats, is Tommy Sowers another Joe Allen -- or anything more?

7. Which candidates tout the most small-size donors ($100 or less) -- and take the time to point it out.

8. Does Darrell Moore raise at least $20K in the 7th District, and if so, does it make him a more credible dark horse?

9. Billy Long's burn rate vs. Jack Goodman's burn rate.

10. Gary Nodler should win the 3rd Quarter in the 7th District -- but how big is his margin of victory?

Purgason Poses Debate Questions to Blunt

Frustrated by his inability to capture Roy Blunt's attention, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason has unilaterally issued some debate questions he wants the Congressman to answer.

"I have asked my opponent to sit down and talk about the future of our party but he refuses to even acknowledge me. So I must begin asking the questions that I and many of us in our party want answered," said Sen. Puragson in a release Tuesday.

A day after USA Today reported on how Blunt has received more campaign contributions from lobbyists this cycle than any other Congressional candidate, Purgason is raising questions about donations Blunt has received from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

"For example, many experts had warned for decades that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lacked sufficient capital to remain viable. Congress looked at higher standards but many of those efforts have been stymied by sustained and high-powered lobbying campaigns that have taken real teeth out of many much needed reforms," Purgason said. "With this in mind, my opponent has taken more money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac PAC’s than any United States Congressman or Senator," he went on.

PURG'S QUESTIONS:
"The questions that needs to be answered, Can a Congressman take so many contributions from a PAC and still work for meaningful reforms that are necessary to protect hard earned taxpayer dollars? And if so what reforms has he personally done to solve this lingering problem that threatens the financial security of our nation,?" he asked.

Blunt's team has previously responded to requests for comment about Purgason by turning the focus to Democratic candidate Robin Carnahan.

Blunt, Carnahan Spar Over Insurance Money

PACMAN

In an attempt to shift the focus on his opponent, Congressman Roy Blunt said Tuesday that likely Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Robin Carnahan has received around $10,000 from insurance industry lobbyists since February.

But the Carnahan campaign noted that those contributions were from individuals and said that it's candidate had not received any money from political action committees (PACS) tied to insurance companies like Blunt has.

Blunt made his charge during a news conference designed to address a billboard targeting his healthcare position. The billboard noted that Blunt has received more than a half a million dollars in donations from insurance companies.

WATCH THAT KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

According to Opensecrets.org, Blunt has received $10,000 in donations from United Health Group between 2000-2008; $21,000 from WellPoint between 2002-2006; $11,328 from Blue Cross Blue Shield between 1998-2008 and $9,500 from Aetna between 2002-2008.

The Missouri Progressive Coalition apparently also included life, auto and personal property insurance company donations -- realms unrelated to healthcare -- to reach its total.
***

The Blunt campaign listed the following insurance lobbyists as campaign donors to Carnahan:
United Health Group lobbyists Steve Elmendorf and Jimmy Ryan: $3,400
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) lobbyists Michael Berman and
Brian Griffin: $2,900
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN lobbyist Gerry Sikorski: $250
American Council of Life Insurers lobbyist Bert Carp, $1,000
American Council of Life Insurers lobbyist Robert Martinez, $500
Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC lobbyist David Rudd, $1000
United Health Group lobbyist Jeffrey Forbes, $1,000
United Health Group lobbyist Dale Snape, $500
AIG lobbyist Robert Glennon, $500
Standard Life Insurance lobbyist Ed Ayoob, $250

Blunt campaign spokesman Rich Chrismer said, "If this is an issue in the campaign then Robin Carnahan ought to explain why she has accepted these contributions from insurance industry lobbyists."

Carnahan campaign spokesman Tony Wyche responded that individual donations to Carnahan and PAC donations to Blunt are two very different types of contributions.

"No one should be surprised that a D.C. insider who has taken half a million dollars in contributions from health care special interests and then fought to preserve the system that enriches them would prefer to discuss eight contributions that another campaign has received," Wyche said. "Though he may not like it, he will have to answer to voters for his record."

Small Donors Fuel Goodman's Quarter

Sen. Jack Goodman's frontrunning fundraising effort for Southwest Missouri's congressional seat over the past three months was fueled by small donors giving $100 or less, according to a Notebook analysis of second quarter campaign finance documents.

Between April and June, nearly 53 percent of Goodman's individual contributions came in amounts of $100 or less. Goodman narrowly topped his GOP rivals in second leg of the 2009 money race, raising $108,264.

But auctioneer Billy Long still leads the overall 7th District dollar chase. Long has more than double the amount of cash Goodman has on hand to spend. That advantage does include $100,000 in personal money Long gave himself earlier this year. Long raised $101,700 during the second quarter, but just four percent of his donations came from individuals giving $100 or less.

Joplin State Sen. Gary Nodler, who jumped into the race in late May, raised $101,645 in about a month. The Notebook analysis found that Nodler's second quarter haul was largely fueled by bigger donors. 42 percent of Nodler's contributors gave the maximum donation of $2400, while just two percent of his donations came in increments of $100 or less.

Long fell in the middle of the breakdown -- four percent of his donations came in at $100 or less; 15 percent of his donors delivered the maximum.

The analysis lends some credence to the Goodman campaign's argument that the Mount Vernon State Senator is running a "grass-roots" campaign.

On the other hand, all that groundwork costs money. Goodman spent more than his other two top rivals during the last three months. Goodman doled out $35,215, mostly for political staffing. Campaign consultant David Barklage was paid $4,500. Campaign manager Miles Ross was paid $21,560. Goodman also spent more than $3,000 on printing campaign materials.

Long spent $14,805, mostly on office supplies, bumper stickers, postage and fundraising supplies, including a $761 tab for food provided by Buckingham Smokehouse.

For now Long has the mathematical advantage, but as head of the Senate appropriations committee, Nodler is likely to hunker down and attempt to produce a big 3rd quarter number coming out of the summer. Meanwhile, Goodman's contributions on his finance sheet shows the most balance between wealthy and small donors.

Here's a breakdown of the Top 3 and the need-to-know numbers:

GOODMAN: RAISED $108,264/ON HAND $147,710/2nd Q Spend $35,215/$100 or less 52%

LONG: RAISED $101, 700/ON HAND $326,493 /2nd Q Spend $14,805/$100 or less 2%

NODLER: RAISED $101,645/ON HAND $100,000/2nd Q Spend $1,645/$100 or less 4%

Nodler Reports Raising $101,645

(Photo Courtesy: KSMU)
State Senator Gary Nodler reported raising $101,645 during the first month of his 7th District Congressional campaign, flexing the swift fundraising muscle of a Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman.
***
Nodler has exactly $100,000 and 93 cents on hand to spend, according to the second quarter report that's required to be filed by all candidates Wednesday. He first told The Notebook on June 30th he would raise right around that mark.

Notable Nodler contributors include: Stephen Plaster, Attorney/Developer Mark Gardner, GOP National Committeeman Lance Beshore & The Empire District Electric Company.
***
Auctioneer Billy Long, the only other 7th District candidate to have filed his report by late Tuesday, hauled in $101,700 during the last three months. He has $326,493 on hand to spend.

Notable Long contributors include: Investment advisor Nadia Cavner, John Gentry of Positronic Industries, Sam Hamra, auto dealer Ed Pinegar and attorney Dee Wampler.

2nd Quarter reports for State Sen. Jack Goodman, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore and college instructor Jeff Wisdom were not filed as of Tuesday night.

Amid Criticism, Nixon Signs License Office Reform

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another Nixon Donor Wins A Fee Office

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

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

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

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

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

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

Montee Audit Questions Campaign Contributions to MHDC

"An Attitude Needs to be Adjusted"

A new state audit of Missouri's housing commission (MHDC) suggests that campaign contributions may be influencing where the state's development dollars go.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

State Auditor Susan Montee is recommending that elected officials should not make decisions about housing projects submitted by individuals that they've received campaign contributions from.

"The perception is clearly out there that there is a system in place that encourages campaign contributions in return for projects. Whether that's the case or not, it certainly is a perception," said Montee at a press conference in Jefferson City Wednesday.

*WATCH MORE OF HER COMMENTS ABOVE*

Montee notes "questionable uses of public funds"
The audit covers between 2006 and 2008, when Governor Matt Blunt, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, Attorney General Jay Nixon and Treasurer Sarah Steelman were the four elected officials on the commission. The MHDC has four statewide officials and six other commissioners.

While Montee's audit noted that it was difficult to match "specific donations to developers," it concluded that the perception is that money influences how the projects are selected.

"Something we don't talk about here implicitly in the conflict of interest is whether or not there needs to be a total different way of dealing with the fact that developers are giving campaign contributions to commissioners," Montee said.

A major benefactor of tax credits from the Housing Commission has been former Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson and his former development partner Mark Gardner. The two have tapped into tens of thousands of dollars to revamp old buildings into apartment complexes around the city for low and moderate income people.

A review of campaign finance reports over the past four years shows that Carlson-Gardner entities have donated close to $15,000 to candidates who sit on the board. Other Springfield developers and citizens have privately expressed concern about a system that seems to favor the well-connected, but neither Carlson or Gardner responded to several requests for comment.
The MHDC said it was reviewing its standards of conduct related to that issue.

***ALSO: Other audit findings questioned housing commission expenditures, like $15,000 spent on alcohol for receptions and $18,000 to reimburse the executive director's legal fees. That's due to an ongoing FBI investigation.

Nixon Close To Fee Office Reform

Governor Jay Nixon is lauding the passage of legislation that will require Missouri's license fee offices to be put up for competitive bid.

UPDATED @ 9:40 PM: BUT GOP CALLS FOUL ON REFORM

Says Major Nixon contributors have now become the new contractors for HALF of all the license offices

Nixon's fee office reform was one of the first policies he announced as Governor. In January, the South Fremont office in Springfield was one of the first he put up for bid. The passage of House Bill 683 is expected to make those changes permanent.

To date, the Governor's office says 102 of 183 of the state's license offices have been put out for competitive bid. 11 offices have been awarded; the bidding process has closed on another 61 offices.

"Four months after I ended the system of political patronage for fee offices, the General Assembly has ensured that its vestiges will be gone under future Governors as well," Gov. Nixon said. "Missourians deserve to know that the management of their local fee office has been chosen based on merit and how well they serve their customers, not on political affiliation. This is a great day in making our reforms permanent."

MOGOP RESPONDS:

"In the wake of criticism surrounding Governor Jay Nixon's appointment of his moneyed supporters to plum government positions and his attempt to bribe state lawmakers, he is now falsely boasting that he somehow 'ended' Missouri's patronage system when, in fact, he has rewarded multiple license offices to his political cronies," said GOP spokesman Jonathan Prouty. "Nearly half of the license offices awarded by Nixon to date have been doled out to his campaign donors—donors linked to more than $40,000 in contributions to his 2008 gubernatorial campaign. This figure could increase exponentially as a number of wealthy, well-connected Nixon donors have placed bids for license offices that have yet to be awarded," said Prouty.

PLUS: Tony Messenger TWITTERS that two conflicting fee office bills have now passed.

A Look Inside Roy Blunt's "Alter Ego"

"Most of what people deride in politics is because people don't understand it."

There may be no single person who's been more important to Roy Blunt's political rise than Gregg Hartley.

In his new instructive book, So Damn Much Money, about the rise of money and lobbying in Washington, Robert Kaiser describes Hartley as Blunt's most important personal aide and friend for around three decades.

The two have been close since the 1970s, when Blunt served as Greene County Clerk.

One lobbyist is quoted calling Hartley "Blunt's alter ego."

Hartley is one of the featured players in Kaiser's book in order to provide an example of the continuous and to some, troubling, revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street.

Kaiser depicts Hartley as a conservative, friendly, unpretentious but outgoing Republican who followed Blunt to Washington and eventually ran his whip organization. It was April 2003 when Hartley decided it was time to "go downtown -- to become a lobbyist."

Hartley's story is not only important to understanding the way Washington works, but likely gives readers a window into Blunt's thinking, at the very time Republicans are contemplating his candidacy for U.S. Senate.

Below are excerpts of Kaiser's reporting on Hartley and his relationship with Blunt, beginning with Hartley's decision to go work for one of the top lobbying groups in Washington, Cassidy & Associates. Italics represent text and direct quotes from So Damn Much Money. (And if you're interested in the rise of money in politics and how the earmark originated, the entire book is well worth the read.)

"Blunt and I both concluded that I could still be a valuable part of his team, and there was no reason for us not to continue our personal relationship and our political relationship," Hartley is quoted. "I was fortunate in the sense that, being fifty years old instead of thirty-five, having spent seven years on the Hill . . . virtually all of it on leadership staff, having worked for a guy who had build a pretty good reputation in this town and moved up rather quickly, gave me lots of opportunities that the average staffer leaving the Hill doesn't have," Hartley went on.

Because he was a Republican with ties to the leadership entering a predominately Democratic firm, Hartley's skills were considered a top commodity for the legendary lobbyist Gerry Cassidy. Hartley was able to bring in scores of new climates, and reorganized the firm from top to bottom. He was at the top of hit game. Life was good.

Hartley liked his new life. "I enjoy 80 percent of the work" and the hours were delightful. "When I worked for Roy I worked 70 hours a week," he said, but at Cassidy it was 9 a.m. to 6 p.m . . . And he stayed close to Roy Blunt, raising money for him, donating $47,000 himself (with his wife) to Blunt, his leadership PAC and the House Republican campaign committee."

Hartley also enjoyed the era of the permanent campaign.

"I didn't grow up wanting to run government, I came from the political side of the equation. I like campaigns, I like politics. I only worked in government because that's what paid your way to do the political side." Hartley grew up as a Democrat, started his professional life as an administrator of legal aid programs in southwestern Missouri and fell in love with politics. "I quickly learned there wasn't much potential in Democratic politics in southwestern Missouri," he said, so he became a Republican. That decision was "as much practical as philosophical. It's hard to be impactful when you're in a minority - I learned that lesson early."

Hartley made no secret his love of fundraising. "I think it's an important part of the political process. I think a measure of a good campaign and how successful it's going to be is its ability to raise money." What about reformers who complain the system is corrupt . . .? What about Fred Wertheimer, the former president of Common Cause and founder of a group called Democracy 21, an advocate of reform who had criticized DeLay's tactics for years? "Fred is full of shit," Hartley replied, softening the message with his friendly grin. Raising money was part of the game, part of the helter-skelter of it . . . the rough-and-tumble of it . . . The American public is intrigued by politics and campaigning and the routes to power," he said. "They want to know about it, and on the other hand they go, 'Ohmigod, isn't this distasteful . . . I think politics works. I think most of what people deride in politics is because people don't understand it."

"Hartley is not troubled by the relationship between lobbyists and members of Congress, and he won't accept the formulation that the Hill now depends on downtown, and downtown depends on the Hill. Instead he sees more complicated interactions: "A lot of people on the Hill are a new breed . . . they understand there's lots of things you do that interrelate with government." In other words, you can help people who need something from the government, and you can accept their help in return, and that's fine."

"Most people in the lobbying business contribute [money] so that they're seen as active participants in the process. And if you're seen as an active participant, does that sort of move you into a different realm than people who aren't? Yeah . . . I would presume that lobbyists who participate heavily in the political process are probably more successful by and large" But giving money "is not compulsory," he emphasizes. "I can't possibly give money to everybody I know on the Hill. It's impossible. But people I don't give money to still see me and talk to me and work with me on my clients."

To open his book, Kaiser outlines the relationship cultivated between Cassidy's firm and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He includes a telling quote from Hartley "not over-worrying" the deal he had help strike with Abramoff.

"Washington is a town full of controversies," Hartley was quoted in The Washington Post. "If you over-worry about controversies, you'd end up doing nothing."

Steelman Still Has $770,000 In Debt

While she may be ramping up for a potential U.S. Senate campaign, Sarah Steelman still has significant debt left over from her unsuccessful run for Governor.

But a Steelman adviser says that's irrelevant.

***
As first noted by RedState.com, Steelman's first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission shows that eight months after her primary loss, the former state treasurer still has a $770,000 debt.

The report also shows that Steelman reported $113,225 during the first three months of the year, including a $57,775 contribution from the "Power to the People Committee."

Steelman also paid out more than $100,000 to political consultants, including $41,691 to Jeff Roe's Axiom Strategies, almost $23,000 to a Washington-area pollster and $37,230 to a fundraiser.

RedState writes: "That is one whopping big hole to start with if/when she decides whether or not to run."

UPDATED . . . BUT An adviser notes that Steelman put $770,000 of her own money into the race, so the campaign doesn't have to pay her back.

Connor: Blunt Will Raise The Money

"IT'S TOO EARLY TO PANIC"

A top Missouri political scientist says accounts of Roy Blunt's underwhelming fundraising quarter for his U.S. Senate race are premature and overblown.

Missouri State University political science professor George Connor told The Notebook Thursday he isn't quite sure why Blunt had such a poor showing -- but is confident of a comeback.

Money quote: "I have absolutely no doubt that Roy Blunt can fundraise circles around Robin Carnahan," Connor said. "He's too well connected."

Adds that he isn't sure Blunt will be able to ultimately win the race.

"I think he's confident in his ability and focused on the end prize," Connor said. "I have no doubt he'll have the money. Winning is another thing."

ALSO: Connor thinks Sarah Steelman would be a formidable challenge for Carnahan, but predicts Blunt will ultimately be the Republican nominee.

Asked his opinion if Blunt turns in lagging fundraising after Quarter 2, Connor responds: "Then I'll really begin to wonder why."

WashPost's Cillizza: Blunt's Fundraising "A Zero"

"LOOKS LIKE ROY COULD USE A BAILOUT"

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza lists Roy Blunt as his top "fundraising zero" a day after the first quarter fundraising reports were released.

"For a former member of the House Republican leadership who is allegedly the pick of the Missouri party establishment for the state's open seat race, Blunt's $542,000 did not impress -- especially when compared to the $1 million plus Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) collected in the same time period. If there was any doubt whether former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman would run for the GOP nod, there shouldn't be now," writes Cillizza.

Several Republicans who spoke to The Notebook following the release of Blunt reports claimed to be astonished at the number put up by the Congressman.

"It's a five-alarm fire," said a neutral GOP staffer.

"Looks like Roy could use a bailout," sniped another longtime Republican observer.

A Republican close to the Blunt campaign tells The Notebook that Blunt raised an additional $80,000 in St. Louis Wednesday.

Spokesperson Rich Chrismer added this: "For six weeks of fundraising we are right on target and particularly pleased about how things came together in the last two weeks of the quarter during which we raised well-over two-thirds of our total contributions, and how things have come together now."

Goodman Raises $75,647, Trails Long By $160K

SOLID QUARTER STILL LEAVES HIM TRAILING
Branson Mayor, Former Greene County Sheriff Listed As Contributors

Without any fanfare, Sen. Jack Goodman quietly reported raising $75,647 during the first three months of the year for his 7th District Congressional run, posting a number that's respectable but short of rival Billy Long's fundraising haul.

Goodman and Long are the only officially announced candidates running to replace Congressman Roy Blunt. Goodman's numbers are considered solid for a Senator who is currently spending most of his time in session in Jefferson City.

But tapping his business connections, Long almost outraised Goodman by a 2-to-1 margin. Add in the auctioneer's $100,000 personal contribution, and Long has a significant cash on hand advantage that can't be easily ignored.

The good news for Goodman is that he was thrifty, spending just $785 dollars, mostly on online media.

That leaves Goodman with $74,862 dollars on hand compared to Long's $239,572, amounting to a $164,710 advantage for Long.

Most of Goodman's contributions came from within his Senate district. Jerry Hall of Jack Henry & Associates and his wife Pat, both maxed out $4800 contributions. Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley donated $300 and former Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt gave Goodman $100. Goodman received five contributions from Springfield, most of them coming from colleagues at the law firm Lathrop & Gage.

Doubled Up

BLUNT RAISES $542,034
Democrat Robin Carnahan raised twice as much money as Roy Blunt during the first three months of Missouri's 2010 U.S. Senate campaign.
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The Blunt campaign announced raising $542,034 during the six weeks since their candidate launched his campaign in February. Spokesman Rich Chrismer said Blunt would report $673,612 cash on hand.

"We are pleased to have raised $542,034 in only six weeks, or half the calendar quarter, while launching a full statewide campaign of travel and one-on-one communication. In sharp contrast, Carnahan's office is on auto-pilot and Carnahan herself is essentially invisible to the voters and inaccessible to the news media," Chrismer said in a statement.

THE TOTALS:
RAISED:
CARNAHAN: $1,048,023
BLUNT: $542,034

ON-HAND TO SPEND:
CARNAHAN: $927,785
BLUNT: $673,612

My Take: The best thing about Roy Blunt's fundraising quarter is that, while doubling him up, Carnahan didn't completely blow it out of the water.