Feltner Admits To Personal Internet Use Following Porn Conviction

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- The former chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has admitted to using an online dating service despite a ban on personal Internet use following his pornography conviction.

Eric Feltner pleaded guilty in August to displaying sexually explicit materials and was placed on probation that included a ban on going online except for business. Last week, a Cole County judge added a 10-day "shock time" jail sentence because Feltner violated that condition.

According to a transcript of last week's hearing that was obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, prosecutors said that Feltner logged into his Yahoo account 445 times since August. Feltner's attorney, Shane Farrow, argued that some of those times were for business. But Farrow acknowledged that Feltner did create a Match.com account to start dating again.

Kinder vs. Page on Tour De Missouri

The candidates for Lieutenant Governor squabble over Missouri's big bike race, the economic impact and what means the state should take to fund it.

Peter Kinder cites the races as an example of his bipartisan work . . . "What I'm being attacked on is a great unifying event for the state."

Sam Page said the race was "mismanaged," and criticized Kinder for "raiding" an economic development fund to help pay for it. "The Lieutenant Governor was responsible for the sponsorships, and he fell short . . . If he can get $350,000 in campaign contributions from one company, then he should be able to find the other $350,000 for sponsorships."

ALSO: Page questions the projected $30 million dollar economic impact

THE A.P. has more on the state-funded analysis

***WATCH IT ABOVE***

St. Louis Rabbi Wants Apology From Kinder

"HEINOUS and HURTFUL"

Rabbi Susan Talve says Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder's comments comparing Sam Page's political attacks to a Nazi propaganda machine were "hurtful and unacceptable."

***

"That's the Goebbels' Hitler . . . Big Lie, Big Lie," Kinder said on Monday in response to a question about a recent Page television ad.

You can watch video of Kinder's comments HERE.

***

RABBI'S FULL STATEMENT:

"The comments made by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder this week were hurtful and unacceptable. It is disgraceful to compare Rep. Page's commercial to the Nazi propaganda machine that led to the genocide of the Jewish people. In comparing Page to the architect of Hitler's "Big Lie" technique, Lt. Gov. Kinder crossed a line that should never even be approached. Lt. Gov. Kinder should rescind his statement and issue an apology for his heinous comparison," said Rabbi Susan Talve in a statement Wednesday.

***

Sam Page said the comment had no place in a political campaign. Rabbi Susan Talve is the founding rabbi of Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis.

Blunt "Carefully Considering" Kinder Special Session Request

BLUNT WARMING UP TO REQUEST

GOVERNOR PLANS TO MEET WITH LAWMAKERS

KINDER WANTS SPECIAL POST-ELECTION SESSION TO DEAL WITH $103 MILLION DOLLARS IN HEATING ASSISTANCE

"Just this week we saw the first frost, a sure sign that winter is just around the corner and a looming reminder to some that higher heating bills will soon be added to their burden. This is one of the reasons Lt. Gov. Kinder’s call for a Special Session has gained support from a number of community groups who want to help seniors and other vulnerable citizens stay warm this winter," said Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement Wednesday.

"In response to his call, following next week’s election I will visit with House and Senate leaders to discuss the Special Session Lt. Gov. Kinder has proposed. We will carefully consider the request, the availability of funds, and the anticipated demand," Blunt added. "I have said before, and I know Lt. Gov. Kinder agrees, no one should have to choose between heating their home or paying for food or other necessities," he said.

DEMOCRATS HAVE CRITICIZED THE PROPOSED SESSION AS POLITICAL
If you missed it, Watch the KY3 News @ 10 Report HERE

Truthwatch '08: Kinder and Page

The Tour of Missouri vs. A vote for higher sales taxes.

"Faulty science" vs. Quality Jobs Funding.

We Truthwatch some of the ads that have been hitting T.V. screens in the race for Lieutenant Governor.

Watch the KY3 News @ 10 Truthwatch '08 report HERE.

Kinder Answers Claims in Page Attack Ad

POINT, COUNTERPOINT

"That's The Goebbels' Hitler . . .

Big Lie, Tell A Big Lie."

In a recent television ad, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor Sam Page accuses Peter Kinder of calling second-hand smoke, "faulty science", losing "millions of taxpayer dollars" on the Tour of Missouri and passing a tax credit for a St. Louis developer.

ABOVE: Watch the ad, and Peter Kinder respond to each charge individually.

Kinder compares Page's tactics to "Goebbels," as in Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's propaganda minister.

Kinder's Call

BLUNT CONSIDERING REQUEST

BRING ON THE HEAT

A spirited campaign for Lieutenant Governor, a call for a special session, and the ongoing financial pickle of providing heating assistance to seniors and low-income Missourians as the cold weather approaches.

***WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE***

Peter Kinder calls for a special session to address to pass $103 million dollars for seniors and low-income residents. He says the money needs to be approved now -- so it can get to those in need in December, not February or March.

"When they come between the months of January and March, we're kind of behind the game. The cold weather months, as we know, come many weeks before that," Kinder says. "Under this plan, it could conceivably start in December, well before Christmas."

OACAC Executive Director Carl Rosenkranz reacts:

"The timing is unusual, however it may have taken that long to get information together. On the surface, the timing is a little unusual, but maybe that's how long it took, I don't really know," says Rosenkranz. "We always thought it would be better to have it as part of the regular appropriations and then you wouldn't have to call a special session."

THE PAGE CAMPAIGN REACTS:

"Voters will not be fooled by Lt. Gov. Kinder's sudden change-of-heart 8 days before an election," says Page spokesperson Bret Bender. "A full-time lieutenant governor would have been advocating for seniors during the legislative session, when it would not have cost taxpayers $100,000 per week and when oil was twice the price it is now. This is nothing more than the transparent political stunt of a losing campaign," adds Bender. "It's too early to see what affect the new surge in federal funding will have for utility bill assistance. Matt Blunt and Peter Kinder have already left $1.6 billion in Washington that should have provided health coverage for our citizens. We cannot afford to turn our backs on more federal dollars because Lt. Gov. Kinder is looking for a bump in the polls," Bender goes on.

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WON'T GO NEAR IT

"The Lt. Gov is treating it as a campaign issue. We’re not going to comment on the Lt. Gov’s campaign," says Jay Nixon spokesperson Oren Shur.

"He defers to the current governor on this call," says Kenny Hulshof spokesperson Scott Baker.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE REACTS:

"Governor Blunt is considering Lieutenant Governor Kinder's request," says Blunt spokesperson Rich Chrismer. "The governor has said it is very possible that it makes sense to do this in a Special Session. Lieutenant Governor Kinder is a great advocate for Missouri seniors and others who need this type of assistance so the governor was not surprised he made the request and he will consider it very carefully," Chrismer adds.

WATCH MONDAY'S Q & A WITH KINDER BELOW:

Kinder Renews Special Session Call

Locked in a competitive re-election campaign, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder will renew his call for a special legislative session in Springfield Monday.
***
Kinder will join representatives from OACAC (Ozark Area Community Action Corp.) to again call on Gov. Matt Blunt to hold a special session after the election to extend energy benefits to seniors and low-income residents.
***
The media event is set for 1:15 p.m. at OACAC on 215 S. Barnes Ave.

Democrat Sam Page is challenging Kinder for Lieutenant Governor

The Hottest Ticket in Town

TWO MORE REASONS WHY THE RACE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS BECOMING THE STATEWIDE RACE TO WATCH

The Ad: Sam Page for Lieutenant Governor

The Message: Some of Kinder's actions are so wrong, they're laughable.

In the slew of political ads hitting television screens right now, this one stands out. Why? It's superb use of humor. My co-workers notice it. "That's funny," said one producer heading out of the control room. A lady at the YMCA even stopped me to ask about it. "Who did they get to play the smokers,?" she asked with a chuckle. The workers in the office smoking. The bike race with workers shaking their heads on the sidelines. The Kinder pick-up truck with the overdone signs plastered all over the side. These are all effective ways of calling into question some of the Lieutenant Governor's decisions -- in a funny way. The music is perfect because it keeps the pace, in an upbeat yet slightly ominous way. For me, this ad sits up there with Sarah Steelman's "Orville & Ed," as far as being one of the best in the cycle. Lots of ads are doing the ominous, "my opponent is scary," right now. That's why this one is standing out to people. It's not harsh. It's not mean. It playfully gets the point across. You make 'em laugh, and then they start to wonder, "Maybe it was kind of silly to spend so much money on a bike race when our economy is tanking?."

The Ad: Peter Kinder for Lieutenant Governor

The Message: Kinder created jobs, while Page tried to kill them.

This ad is a simple textbook contrast ad, with a laser-like focus on the economy. While Page mocked Kinder's "Tour of Missouri," in his ad, this ad highlights $500 million in tourism dollars. Though it's worth noting that the bike race isn't referred to or shown in the ad. It then lists the Quality Jobs Act, that Kinder supported, which created "thousands of jobs." It doesn't take more than 12 seconds of the 30-second spot for the campaign to begin showing a shifting grainy shot of Sam Page. The visual of Page almost is more important than the message. The pictures they chose make Page look shifty and uncertain. These shots play under the female voice, noting that Page opposed "funding" the Quality Jobs Act while favoring "job-killing taxes." But notice how Page is looking down or away from the camera in all the shots. That's meant to convey a level of disconnect and discomfort with the viewer. Still, with lots of regular people this ad will get lost in the host of other "scary" ads being run out there right now.

Looking For A Fight

The two top candidates for Lieutenant Governor continue to trade tough jabs, two weeks out -- as the race becomes personal.

***

PETER KINDER'S CAMPAIGN SAYS SAM PAGE DOES NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE OF HIS OPPOSITION TO THE DEATH PENALTY:

"Peter Kinder has always been a strong supporter of the death penalty and have always been prepared to carry out an execution in the event the governor was out of state. Peter believes we owe it to the victims of heinous crimes like murder to ensure that justice is served," said Kinder spokesman Paul Sloca. "Missourians should be concerned about Sam Page’s opposition to the death penalty and his apparent inability to carry out the duties of lieutenant governor," Sloca added.
TEAM PAGE RESPONDS:

"Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is apparently too busy defending physical and sexual abusers of children to check his facts," said Page spokesperson Bret Bender. "The man who called all Democrats dumb farm animals is so desperate at this point he has given up on twisting the truth and is just conjuring attacks out of thin air. Rep. Page has never co-sponsored such legislation," Bender added, referring to 2007 legislation to repeal the death penalty.

***

TEAM PAGE HITS KINDER ON SEPARATION OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:

The Page campaign said Kinder should explain the hiring of Stacey Blomberg, who they say serves dual roles as an employee for the state and a worker for Kinder's campaign.

"The revolving door between campaign work and state work is well known in Kinder's office. Deputy Lieutenant Governor Jerry Dowell is also a member of Tour of Missouri Inc. even while moonlighting as a paid campaign manager for a Republican Congressional candidate. Campaign e-mails were found on the computer of former Kinder Chief-of-Staff Eric Feltner. And a slew of Kinder state staffers were found coordinating campaign efforts with Kinder's campaign spokesman Paul Sloca on state e-mail accounts," said Page spokesperson Bret Bender.

"It's time for the flagrant campaign work on state time and on our tax dollars in the lieutenant governor's office to come to an end," Bender added.

TEAM KINDER RESPONDS:

"Sam Page should be more worried about federal charges for taking campaign contributions from foreign nationals rather than who is working in the campaign office, but, to address Sam Page’s personnel obsession, Stacey Blomberg does not work in the campaign office. Does this guy have any real issues to talk about," responded Kinder spokesperson Sloca. "Blomberg has a letter from the Missouri Ethics Commission saying she has no conflict of interest as long as she does campaign work on her own time," Sloca added. (Here’s link: Blomberg ethics letter)

Fmr. Prosecutor Graves Files Ethics Complaint Against Page

Former U.S. Prosecutor Todd Graves has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Democratic candidate for Governor Sam Page for receiving a campaign contribution from a foreign national.

On October 4th, Page received a $10,000 contribution from Waverly Glen, a medical equipment company that's address was listed in Vaughan, Ontario Canada. Federal law bars candidates from accepting campaign contributions from non-citizens or other foreign groups.

In a letter to the FEC Friday, Graves, a Republican attorney, said that Page's acceptance of this contribution "presents a rare but serious violation of our country's long-standing ban on foreign contributions in U.S. elections."

"The subject donation appears to have been made with a check drawn on a foreign company's bank account (not any U.S. subsidiary)," wrote Graves. "Rep. Page's campaign apparently received it in an envelope bearing a Canadian address. Because Rep. Page nonetheless represents that the source of funds is not foreign, I believe this is a knowing and willful violation, and am sending a copy of this complaint to the United States Department of Justice for its concurrent investigation."

Thursday night, a person close to the Page campaign called it a clerical error and the campaign filed an amended report Friday. The report now lists the address as from St. Louis, not Canada.

Page is locked in an increasingly competitive race for Lieutenant Governor with incumbent Republican Peter Kinder.

Flip It, And Reverse It

PAGE CHALLENGES KINDER TO DEFEND FOSTER CARE BILL

Democratic Candidate Calls Bill "Dangerous"

Wants Kinder To Find Child Advocate Who Supported That Bill

Earlier, Kinder Called On Page To Defend His "No" Vote in 2003

TEAM KINDER RESPONDS (Updated Below)

The Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor Sam Page is asking Peter Kinder to defend his support of a 2003 foster care bill that many child advocates opposed.

"I challenge Lt. Gov. Kinder to find a reputable child care advocate who thought the 2003 foster care bill was good for children," Page said Wednesday.

The Kinder campaign chose not to directly to respond to Page's challenge. Spokesperson Paul Sloca offered this reply to the Notebook's request: "Before Sam Page issues childish challenges like this, he should first prove that the Tour of Missouri didn’t bring in nearly $50 million to the state the last two years and then should prove that he did not vote for the $100 million tax credit bill he is attacking Peter Kinder for supporting."

Over the past week, Kinder has been putting pressure on Page to explain his vote. Page responded with a web video and statements by child care advocates saying he did the right thing by voting "No" on House Bill 679 . Now, Page is attempting to turn the tables.

"I can't imagine why Lt. Gov. Kinder would favor legislation making it more difficult for the state to investigate cases of physical and sexual misconduct against a child," Page said. "Voters have a right to know why their lieutenant governor would support such dangerous legislation."

Wednesday, the Page campaign said their candidate voted the following year to correct the legislation in House Bill 1453. That bill required background checks, but did not include provisions "making it more difficult to investigate and prosecute child abusers," according to the campaign.

"Unconscionable . . . Unethical"

LT. GOV. RACE GAINING ATTENTION

(UPDATED BELOW)

Kinder Keeps Pressure On Page Vote

DEMS Look Into Feltner's Work

Peter Kinder's re-election campaign wants Democratic challenger Sam Page to explain why he voted against a foster care bill in 2003 that required background checks for parents.

But Page's campaign tells the KY3 Political Notebook, a defense is uncessary. "Rep. Rep. Page doesn't need to defend his vote," said Page spokesperson Bret Bender in an e-mail to the Notebook.

It's the focus of Kinder's first television ad, currently running in Springfield. Recently, the Page campaign provided a Kansas City child care advocate to rebut Kinder's charges -- but Page himself has yet to respond directly.

"He was one of only 54 representatives to vote against requiring background checks for foster parents," said Kinder spokesperson Paul Sloca Tuesday. "Page’s position is stunning because he is a medical doctor whose oath is to do no harm," Sloca added, calling it "an unconscionable position."

Bender responded: "Rep. Page voted against the bill because he read and understood it. Apparently, Lt. Gov Kinder isn't concerned about children who are physically or sexually abused." Bender also points to a Kansas City Star editorial in August 2003, urging lawmakers to let Gov. Bob Holden's veto of the bill stand. The Star wrote the following:

In July, Holden vetoed the bill, which would make numerous changes in Missouri's child-protection system. His reasons weresound: It would have limited the state's power to subpoena witnessesin abuse and neglect cases, taking away an important tool in findingout the truth. It would also have required law enforcement officials to videotape child witnesses. Experts say that could be frighteningto the children and could discourage them from talking.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Democratic Party has filed a Sunshine request with the Cole County Prosecutor's Office for records relating to the investigation, prosecution and conviction of former Kinder Chief-of-Staff Eric Feltner. Feltner resigned from Kinder's office after being charged with furnishing porn to a minor.

Dems are looking for possible evidence that Feltner did campaign work for Kinder during his time in his state position. "The records of Eric Feltner’s prosecution may reveal more about the political work done with state resources by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s taxpayer-paid staff," said Jack Cardetti, Democratic Party spokesperson. "The revolving door between politics and government in Kinder’s office has led employees to believe that there is nothing unethical about taking undeserved pay bonuses or campaigning on state time. The pattern of unethical behavior runs deep in that office. We want to find out just how deep."

Page Accuses Kinder of "Double-Talk" on Stem Cells

The Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor is accusing Peter Kinder of "double-talk" when it comes to conservative issues.

"Former presidential candidate Fred Thompson in Joplin yesterday praised Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's conservatism. However, Lt. Gov. Kinder has not received the endorsement of Missouri Right to Life because of his intermittent support for stem cell research certain parts of the state," reads the release from the Page campaign.

"Lt. Gov. Kinder hasn't a conservative ideology, but he has a conservative geography," Page said. "He is a conservative in Joplin and then pops up a liberal in St. Louis. It is time he let Missourians in every county know his position on the important issue of stem cell research," he added.

Page supports embryonic stem cell research and said he "looks forward to advances that make umbilical cord blood easier to collect and use for experimentation to avoid the controversy surrounding stem cell research.

"My stand is a principled one," Page said. "I can't oppose research that gives hope to children with diabetes, young people who injure their spines, nor the families with parents and grandparents suffering from Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. I am not taking that hope away from them.

"And that's my position, wherever I am," he added.

Page Complains of Dirty Robo-Calls

Sam Page's campaign for Lieutenant Governor says someone has been calling Missouri residents in the middle of the night pretending to support his candidacy.


The Democratic candidate said voters should not be fooled and should warn their friends about these "dirty, counterfeit pro-Page robo-calls," because state law does not required taped messages be identified by the sender. He said some people have complained about being called as much as nine times, as late as 3 a.m.


"This allows cowards to hide and this is why voters are losing faith in our electoral system," Page said. "I apologize to all who are the victims of this hoax."

"Media reports have suggested that those calls are coming from Page's Republican opponent," reads the Page release.


"A dear Republican friend called to apologize," Page said. "He assured me that this isn't the real Republican Party; unfortunately the dirty-trick wing has taken control, but not for too much longer. "I hope that is true," he said. This kind of corruption could bring down a great civilization."

MoGOP Hearts Dem Mike Carter for "Courage"

Democratic candidate for Governor Mike Carter has answered the call.

To the Republican Party, that is.

The Missouri G.O.P. recently called on Democratic candidates to announce whether they support a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the right to bear arms.

It's not like either side takes these calls seriously. It's not like Jay Nixon is going to call Tina Hervey and say, "Yeah, mark me down for supporting the 2nd Amendment."

Yet, Missouri G.O.P. spokesperson Hervey reports that Carter did actually respond.

Yesterday, at 2:41 p.m.

"On behalf of the people of Missouri, I want to applaud Mr. Carter for displaying political courage, something that’s not been seen lately by many of his Democrat colleagues. He was the first to clarify his position on Missourians’ right to bear arms and his action should be commended,” said Hervey in a release. "In an email yesterday, Mr. Carter stated that he has been a proponent of Missourians’ right to carry concealed weapons since the mid-1990s and ‘was happy when Missouri's legislature gave Missourians conceal and carry rights.’"

"Although Mr. Carter’s were not made publicly prior to the Supreme Court ruling, we will give him the benefit of the doubt that his beliefs on this important issue are heartfelt. We also have not been able to find any public statements that would contradict what Mr. Carter stated privately to us," Hervey added.

"For many Democrat politicians it is easy to remain silent and mislead voters but showing political courage is sometimes costly and Mike Carter has chosen to take the path less travelled – we commend him and hope that other Missouri Democrats will have the courage to respond to our challenge. Unfortunately, we suspect most Democrats; particularly those like Sam Page will lie and mislead voters," Hervey said.

"A lot of politicians are trying to change their stripes on this issue and we are outraged by Sam Page’s statements because we have always found him to be staunchly anti-Second Amendment while Lt. Governor Kinder has always been a vocal supporter of our right to bear arms under the Constitution," she added.

See there, and we thought everybody was close to getting along for a second? (Sigh).

It's Hit Your Non-Opponent Day . . . Carter Criticizes Harris

Democratic candidate for Governor Mike Carter is criticizing Rep. Jeff Harris' plan to ban political robo-calls.

Harris is running for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.

Carter sent out a release Monday that said he would "truly and legally answer voters' complaints about robo-calls," by establishing a Missouri Political "Do Not Call List," legislatively.

In March, Carter created that type of list on his site. He claims nearly 10,000 voters have signed up.

"First Amendment scholars across the nation know that the outright banning of politically-focused robo-calling would be Constitutionally suspect on its face,” said Carter. While last week Harris said he would be open to pursuing a similar list with or without an "opt out" option, Carter said that could present Constitutional problems.

Carter believes an "opt out" is the only way to pursue such a political robo-calling ban.

"A legislatively enacted Missouri Political 'Do Not Call List' would speak to ‘political calls’ specifically and be somewhat analogous to a voter having the choice of which newspaper to purchase (or not) or to turn the channels on her radio and television – if not completely turn them off," said Carter. "Voters pay for their phones and phone-lines just as they do for cable television & newspapers and should be able to control what comes to them over the medium," said Carter.

Paging Kinder

UPDATED BELOW: ROBINSON RESPONDS

Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidate Sam Page renewed his call for Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder to release the backup e-mail records of the Blunt administration.

Kinder is serving as Acting Governor while Matt Blunt is out of the country. Yesterday, the Lieutenant Governor basically ignored Page's request, dismissing it as a political stunt.

"It appears Kinder does not consider a violation of the state's open records law to be a 'serious matter,' Page said in a statement Thursday. "If state law in that office is not a 'serious matter,' then it's another reason for change."

Also on Wednesday, the Missouri Republican Party announced it was slapping Page with a Sunshine Request. Page said he intends to comply fully to the request.

"It's Kinder's move, again," said Page. "Open up the files, Peter."

UPDATED 7:45 PM . . . Jessica Robinson from the Governor's office . . .

"We have never denied access to any e-mail unless it is protected by law," said Robinson in a statement e-mail to the KY3 Political Notebook.

"We follow the Sunshine law. In fact, we have gone beyond it. Sam Page is not taking the Sunshine Law seriously. Not only is he likely deleting his e-mails, he is attempting to use state government bureaucrats in a disgraceful attempt to circumvent the Sunshine Law because he does not believe it applies to him and other lawmakers," Robinson said.

Page Calls on Kinder To Release Blunt E-mails

Newly emboldened Democratic candidate for Governor Sam Page is calling on Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder to release the back-up e-mail records of the Blunt Administration.

Kinder is Acting Governor right now because Blunt is out of the country on a trade mission. Blunt will be in Europe for 18 days.

"Peter Kinder is in a position to separate himself from a cover up that has gone on for too long," said Page. "He will claim the guilt for himself if he continues the Blunt administration's policy of secrecy in government," he added.

"As governor, Kinder can permanently lay to rest the issue of the secret e-mails and close this shameful chapter," Page said.

Kinder-Page Squabble Continues

K.C. STAR: "The hottest down-ballot race in years"

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder's re-election campaign attributed a second quarter fundraising loss to bad weather.

Rep. Sam Page, Kinder's likely Democratic opponent in November, brought in more campaign contributions over the past three months than the sitting incumbent. Check my earlier post HERE. Page took in about $17,000 more than Kinder between April and the end of June.

Kinder spokesperson Paul Sloca said the Lieutenant Governor's attention to recent flooding problems in Missouri is part of the reason his money haul fell a bit short.

"Unlike some others, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has not had the luxury of spending all his time raising campaign money," said Sloca Tuesday. "Instead, Lt. Governor Kinder led the state as Governor during a time of great crisis when flood waters threatened thousands of Missourians, while at the same time carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of the state’s chief executive. Simply put, Peter Kinder is not one to put raising money before carrying out his sworn duties as a full-time Lieutenant Governor or when he is called to take on the responsibilities of Governor," he added.

Meanwhile, late Tuesday Page continued to push Kinder to take a position on the newly vetoed Medicare reimbursement bill.

"Lt. Gov. Kinder can still join me in calling for Congress to override President Bush's veto," Page said. "Missouri's seniors deserve to know where the state's designated senior advocate stands on this issue," said Page.

Numerous inquiries to spokesperson Sloca on the issue have been ignored.