MUL Condemns Murder of Abortion Doctor

Missourians United for Life condemn the murder of Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller.

MUL President Ed Martin issued a statement Sunday calling the act "an inappropriate and deplorable response to the terrible injustice of abortion."

Dr. Tiller was shot Sunday during church services where he was serving as an usher.

"MUL encourages all Americans to do everything that they can do to stop abortions and to lessen the number of abortions in our nation" said MUL President Ed Martin. "However, we condemn acts of violence like today's murder of George Tiller as inappropriate and deplorable. Tiller was the worst example of a physician gone bad; he chose to kill late term babies out of a twisted sense of individual freedom. His acts are deplorable and should have been stopped but not by murder."

Read President Obama's statement, via TIME, HERE.

Right to Life Targets Nodler

SHOTS FIRED in the 7th

STEM CELL CONTRIBUTIONS AT ISSUE

"It's like running on an anti-pornography platform and taking contributions from Hustler"

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"If you're chair of the Appropriations Committee, you're going to get contributions from everybody under the sun"

Missouri Right to Life is raising questions about Sen. Gary Nodler's "pro-life" credentials a day after he announced his candidacy for Congress, pointing to contributions the Budget Chair has received from pro-embryonic stem cell groups over the past two years.

Right to Life political action committee chairman Dave Plemmons estimates that Nodler's two campaign committees have received at least $12,475 from what he calls "two pro-cloning committees" -- Supporters of Health Research and Treatments and the Life Science Fund of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Nodler's January 2009 campaign finance report shows the most recent donations: a $2,000 contribution from Supporters of Health Research and Treatments and a $2,000 check from the Life Science Fund. Both were made in October 2008.

"I've got no qualms about his claims to be pro-life on abortion, but if you are basing some of your candidacy's draw on being pro-life on the cloning issue and the embryonic stem cell issue, why are you taking so many thousands of dollars from people you say you're against," said Plemmons in an interview with The Notebook Friday.

"It doesn't work that way. It's like running on an anti-pornography platform and taking contributions from Hustler," Plemmons added.

In his Congressional campaign kick-off in Springfield Thursday, Nodler made a short four-word statement on the stem cell issue: "I oppose human cloning."

Nodler spokesperson Gregg Keller wouldn't address the donations specifically, but said that Sen. Nodler "is proudly and unabashedly pro-life and opposes human cloning."

"That's why pro-abortion activists like NARAL have branded him an enemy of theirs and why he has been elected and re-elected with huge pluralities in one Missouri's most pro-life Senate districts," Keller said.

But Plemmons called the donations "dirty money," and noted that while Right to Life has made no endorsement in the 7th District Congressional race yet, "Southwest Missourians deserve a truly pro-life representative in Washington."

Nodler and Right to Life have clashed before on legislative issues and whether funding to universities can be restricted from being used for "life sciences" purposes.

According to KMOX, Nodler accused Missouri Right to Life of lying on the Senate floor on March 5th. "Forget what you hear from Missouri Right to Life because they lie! They misrepresent legislators. They misrepresent our votes. They misdirect the people of our state," Nodler is reported saying.

Missourians United for Life, another anti-abortion organization that was formed in response to some lawmakers complaints with Right to Life's "pro-life" criteria, came to Nodler's defense.

"We would describe him as pro-life," said Ed Martin of Missourians United for Life. "He's been especially helpful in passing laws limiting the number of abortions in Missouri. He's been very open to encouraging limits on taxpayer dollars going to abortion services, human cloning," he added.

Martin said the contributions in question would be something "we'd like to sit down and talk more about," he doesn't necessarily hold them against Nodler.

"If someone takes Stowers money and they still vote our way, I don't really care," Martin said, referring to the Kansas City biomedical research center. "What I know is that Gary Nodler has been a reliable pro-life vote. And if you're the chair of the Appropriations Committee, you're going to get contributions from everybody under the sun," Martin added.

Plemmons said that explanation isn't sufficient, especially when Nodler made abortion and cloning issues key elements in his campaign Thursday.

"As Appropriations Chair, why didn't he say no to the cloning people about those contributions? That's the golden question," Plemmons said.

Rove Credits Roundtable Chair Sauer For McCain Win in Mo.

During a conference call with the Missouri Roundtable for Life, Karl Rove says John McCain was able to to squeak out a win in Missouri because of Chairman Fred Sauer.

"John McCain eeked out a victory in Missouri by 3,000 votes and the truth be known, the guy who was probably most responsible for that victory, is the guy who spoke to us first on this call, because Fred went out and raised several hundred thousand dollars to make certain that National Right to Life had the funds necessary to make the phone calls and get out the mail pieces and do the grass-roots activity to alert Missouri voters -- Democrat or Republican or Independent -- who shared the commitment to the life cause," Rove said on the call.

Sauer is a Navy veteran and is said to have a great personal affinity for John McCain

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In the call with Sauer and Roundtable President Ed Martin, Rove also urged the anti-abortion movement to ramp up its efforts for 2010.

"This is not an issue that we're fortunate to have the national media with us," Rove told the conference call.

ALSO CALLED MISSOURI AMERICA'S BATTLEGROUND -- EVEN IN MIDTERMS:

"We cannot exchange Kit Bond, who has been very good on this issue in Washington, for somebody who would not be good," Rove said.

"They didn't like losing the state by 3,000 votes. I bet you a dime to a dollar you'll see plenty of President Obama and Vice President Biden in the coming months and they're going to do everything they possibly can to sway this Senate seat in their column," Rove warned.

AND: Rove noted that statistics show that young people are more inclined to be anti-abortion than previous generations of their age.

ADDING: "We've got to find a way to talk about our commitment to life in a way that is comfortable to young people and is appealing to people who's commitment to life doesn't spring from a deep, sustained religious faith."

***

In their opening comments, Sauer said the Roundtable is attacking Amendment 2 (the embryonic stem cell initiative passed in '06) on "every front."

Martin said the Roundtable has made contacts with around 50,000 voters. Added that he's glad to be joined in the "field of battle" with Planned Parenthood in the group's ballot initiative fight. Martin also warned that term-limits in 2010 will replace an entire crop of legislators.

"We need them to recognize and be responsive to the pro-life effect," Martin said of new incoming lawmakers in 2010.

The Thursday Daybook

8 a.m . . . American Issues Project Board Member, Ed Martin, will appear on BlogTalkRadio's show "AmericaFirst" (http://blogtalkradio.com/AmericaFirst) with host Keith Miller. It's part of Martin's recent media blitz highlighting the group's ad campaign against the stimulus package.

9:30 a.m. . . State Treasurer Clint Zweifel holds a news conference at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce on his initiative to try to reinvest $1 billion in Missouri communities.

11:30 a.m. . . Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget Rob Nabors holds a nationwide conference call to brief reporters on President Obama’s budget overview for the next fiscal year.

6 p.m. . . Missourians For Choice in Health Care Providers will host a town hall meeting at 3045 S. National (Orthopaedic Specialists) to gather support for House Bill 303. Public participation from patients and health care providers is encouraged.

Ed Martin on Bill O'Reilly Tonight

Gov. Matt Blunt's former chief of staff and current President of American Issues Project Ed Martin will appear on FOX News' O'Reilly Factor Friday night.

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Martin will be speaking about the ad campaign the group is launching to spotlight "excessive spending and pet projects within the far-reaching stimulus legislation."

WATCH THE AD HERE

The ad begins running today on most cable news outlets. Martin says it about a million dollar ad buy. It urges citizens to text ENOUGH to 97180 if they want to join the group.

"Congress has used the anxiety of the American people as a vehicle for appeasing special interest groups and financing their pork projects back home. This type of spending has no place within emergency legislation intended to jump-start the economy," said Martin.

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Martin Targets Martinez In Letter

In a move designed to ramp up efforts to derail Governor Jay Nixon's most important cabinet nominee, Matt Blunt's former chief of staff is alerting thousands of conservatives around the state about the immigration views of Economic Development Director designee, Linda Martinez.

Ed Martin's letter, that began landing in mailboxes across the state Saturday, asks Missourians to support Republican Sens. Brad Lager and Jim Lembke's efforts to "seek answers" about Martinez's previous comments on illegal immigration.

Martin's letter from Missourians For Illegal Immigration Law Enforcement begins, "Linda Martinez is the most pro-illegal immigrant cabinet director ever appointed in Missouri's history."

"We are concerned that Linda Martinez might seek to use her position to promote special benefits for illegal immigrants or provide special economic incentives for businesses that hire illegal workers," Martin goes on. Janet Renner of Missourians Against Illegal Immigration also signed the letter.

In an interview on CNN in 2006, as an attorney, Martinez expressed her opposition to an ordinance designed to prevent landlords from renting to illegal immigrants. "The power to control immigration issues is addressed by the Constitution and delegated solely to the federal government. It's not to be administered on a local basis by cities and states. It's supposed to be mandated on a national basis -- a consistent national policy so there's not a patchwork of ordinances," Martinez said to Lou Dobbs.

Based on those comments, Martin believes that "we must assume" Martinez is against banning sanctuary cities for illegals, opposes E-verify to check legal employment status, and would not cancel state contracts for businesses who hire illegals, among other things.

Martin's letter asks supporters to send an e-mail with statements of support to MoforImmigrationLawEnforcement@gmail.com.

The Notebook has asked the Nixon administration for a response and will publish it as soon as we receive it.

Donnelly Gets Health & Senior Services Post

4 TO GOFormer State Representative and Democratic candidate for Attorney General Margaret Donnelly is Governor-elect Jay Nixon's pick to direct the Department of Health & Senior Services.

"With her many years of experience as a social worker, an attorney and a state legislator, Margaret understands the key role the Department of Health and Senior Services plays in the lives of all Missourians," said Nixon in a statement.

In the position, Donnelly will oversee programs and divisions, including public and community health, senior and disability services, vital records and emergency preparedness.

ANTI-ABORTION GROUP ANNOUNCES OPPOSITION:

Donnelly will have conflicts of interest if state reverses course and funnels tax dollars to pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood," claims Ed Martin of Missourians United For Life.

"Governor-elect Jay Nixon today has picked as his health and senior services director a public official who has regularly received the endorsement and support of the abortion provider Planned Parenthood who has regularly sued the state to gain access to state tax dollars," said Martin in a statement e-mailed to The Notebook. "Nixon's own record of support for and by Planned Parenthood is well-documented but his appointment leaves Missourians wondering who will protect the state treasury when Planned Parenthood seeks money from it."

ALSO: STATE GOP RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT MARTINEZ ON IMMIGRATION
"When the federal government failed to enact a comprehensive immigration policy, a local municipality did something. Linda Martinez led the effort to overturn their effort to crack down on illegal immigrants arguing, "This is bad law and mean-spirited public policy," said G.O.P. spokeswoman Tina Hervey. "If Nixon’s choice to head DED views anti-illegal immigration laws as ‘mean-spirited’, what message is he sending to Missourians?”, added Hervey. "By selecting Martinez, it is clear that Nixon does not plan on continuing the strong policies enacted by Governor Blunt to curb illegal immigration activity in Missouri, and that’s a shame."

MEANWHILE, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY, SPEAKER RON RICHARD CALLED MARTINEZ "A GREAT START" TO BOLSTERING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

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4 NIXON CABINET APPOINTMENTS REMAIN: Director of Agriculture, Director of Insurance, Director of Natural Resources, Director of Public Safety

In an interview with KY3 News Wednesday in Jefferson City, Nixon said he would fill out his cabinet as early as this week or as late as next week.

Martin II: "This Is A Witch Hunt"

"I Plan To Get To The Bottom Of It."

The former Chief of Staff to Governor Matt Blunt says he did not do any "inappropriate" political work or e-mailing on government time and claims that Attorney General and now Governor-elect Jay Nixon turned his discussions about policy into a "witch hunt."

***WATCH CLIP ABOVE***

"When I'm talking to policy supporters about defending a bill that was passed in the legislature, that's not (inappropriate)," says Ed Martin. "When I talk to the Bishops about the policy positions of the government, that is not inappropriate. This is a witch hunt that Jay Nixon has done."

ALSO: Martin Accuses Nixon's Investigators of "Misconduct": "His investigators I believe have committed misconduct, which rises to the level of some kind of cover-up. I plan to get to the bottom of it . . . Whatever it takes, we're going to find out."

Stem Cells To Return Again?

Anti-abortion Group Seeks To Take on Stem Cell Amendment in 2010
WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Ed Martin Pushes Back On E-mails

"Not Every E-mail Must Be Retained"

In an interview with the KY3 Political Notebook Thursday, Gov. Matt Blunt's former Chief of Staff Ed Martin responds to new deposition testimony by former Blunt attorney Scott Eckersley, that he encouraged staffers to delete e-mails regularly.

Martin refutes that, adding that the escalating allegations regarding the e-mail probe are beyond ridiculous. "Ridiculous doesn't even describe it," Martin said.

But the Associated Press reports: "At one point, Eckersley testified, Martin proposed making him a "records czar" and "suggested that I monitor folks' e-mail use, make sure their inboxes are kept low, deleting and then double deleting."

MORE MUST-SEE INTERVIEW CLIPS . . .

DEVELOPING . . .

Townhall on Taxpayer Money for Abortion, Cloning Tonight

The Missouri Roundtable For Life holds a townhall meeting Thursday night in Springfield to tout a proposed 2010 ballot initiative that would forbid the use of tax dollars for abortion services, human cloning or "other controversial research.

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The public is invited to attend a townhall at the Executive Conference Center on 910 West Battlefield. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The townhall will run from 7-8 p.m.

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Speakers included State Senator John Loudon and Ed Martin from the Missouri Roundtable For Life.

Reads the release: "Since the passage of constitutional Amendment 2 in 2006, restrictions on taxpayer funding of abortions and human-cloning research have been swept away. Missouri Roundtable For Life will explain exactly what has happened and how you can help put things right."

For more information, click HERE.

DEVELOPING . . . For KY3 News @ 10

Martin Pushes Term Limits Amendment

Gov. Matt Blunt's former Chief of Staff Ed Martin is asking Missouri lawmakers to put a constitutional amendment on the 2010 ballot that would implement term limits for statewide elected officials.

Martin, who is heading a Term Limits for Missouri group, filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's office Monday. The proposed amendment would limit statewide officeholders to serving a total of eight years, or two terms.

Right now, only the Governor and Treasurer are limited to a total of two terms of four years. All state lawmakers are limited to a total of eight years. The Auditor, Attorney General and Lt. Governor can serve without limit.

"The most recent example of statewide elected office extending for far longer than eight years is Attorney General Jay Nixon who served for 16 years as attorney general," reads the release from Term Limits for Missouri.

"Missourians have been clear: they want their elected officials to serve a limited time in office." said Term Limits for Missouri President Ed Martin. "Missourians recognize that too much time in office leads to complacency and, too often, to corruption. Term limits guarantee that new citizens will serve in every elected position of state government at least every eight years. It's better for democracy to have citizen elected officials not bureaucrats who stay in office for decades," Martin said.

Martin wants the legislature to put the issue on the ballot, but said that if they do not, his group will gather signatures to put the issue on the 2010 ballot.