Q&A with Jack Goodman

by Joe Daues, KSPR News
Q:  As a brand new Congressman, how do you plan to make southwest Missouri’s voice heard in a body of 435 people?
A: You know, the same way that I went to the Missouri state legislature.  I first got into public service because I was frustrated with problems in Missouri.  And I very quickly became a member of the leadership team in the House – went on to do that in the Missouri Senate.  Just by knowing your principles, sticking to your principles, clearly articulating your principles with real solutions to the problems that we face and being a person who’s known for their honesty.
Q: What’s the most important issue facing the Ozarks and the nation?  How do you intend to address it as a Congressman?

A:  The biggest issue facing the people of the Ozarks is certainly the need for more jobs.  We need to address that by getting government out of the way of those that want to take the risks in our communities to provide those jobs for the other people who live here. We’re looking at tax burdens, regulatory burdens and government intrusions from a federal government that is reaching far beyond what it should be doing, and actually discouraging people from creating the jobs we need.

Q: How do you plan to cut through the bitterness and rancor of Capitol Hill so it’s not more of the same old debate?
A: You have to recognize which people you work with who are really interested in solving problems.  Some are there to push an agenda, but most are there to solve the same set of problems, just with a disagreement on how to solve those problems.  You have to work with people.  Earn their respect.  Seek out those who you can respect and try to come to the truth of what the problems are and how best to solve them.

Q: What makes you the right person for this job?

A: I think I’m the person in this race that entered public service for the right reason and that has a real track record of fixing what’s broken.  I got into public service at the state level just a few years ago because I was very frustrated with how Missouri was leading in the all the wrong directions.   I believed that complaining about it wasn’t fixing it.  I put myself out there to try to fix things.  Missouri is much stronger than it was when I entered public service. I believe I come into this race as people’s neighbor who gets it but has a real track record of fixing what’s broken.

Learn more about Jack Goodman's campaign at his website.

Find out where Jack Goodman stands on nine key issues.

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%

Helms Considering Congressional Run

Greene County Circuit Clerk Steve Helms said he's considering a U.S. Congressional run for Roy Blunt's 7th District seat in 2010 because none of the other candidates get him excited.

"I would imagine every Republican officeholder, it's crossed their mind: What about me?," Helms said in an interview Thursday. "I'm just not really seeing, in the current field, the type of candidate I'd like to see represent Southwest Missouri. I think Southwest Missouri is very conservative," Helms said.

He said that not all of the candidates are conservative "in all areas," adding "I'm not saying I would fit the bill." "President Obama is making us a very socialistic nation, and I'm just very concerned," Helms said, citing Newt Gingrich's leadership numerous times during our conversation.

"I don't see anyone that gets me excited. I go down the list and see that it would probably be politics as usual," Helms said.

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Helms said he has spoken with announced candidates Sen. Jack Goodman and Billy Long as well as likely candidate Kevin Elmer, who is a Nixa alderman.

"I'm interested in Hal Donaldson's candidacy, but I'm going to give it some time to see how it shakes out."

Asked when he'll decide, Helms replied: "I would think I would make a decision sooner rather than later. Time is not on my side. I'd have a lot of groundwork to do. Money is not my forte. It would take a lot of small donations."

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Helms' decision does involve political risk. He faces re-election in 2010 in his current role as Circuit Clerk. "I've really enjoyed it and believe we're making good progress, but I never swore I'd stay forever."