Talent To Keynote Greene County Lincoln Days

Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent will keynote Greene County's annual Lincoln Day event in March, organizers tell The Notebook.

This year's GOP get-together is slated for Saturday, March 20th at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.

Former Gov. Matt Blunt will serve on a "Future of the Party" morning panel with 7th District Executive Director Mavis Busiek, GOP State Chairman David Cole and GOP executive director Lloyd Smith.

Former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt are also scheduled to to attend the luncheon, when Talent presents the keynote address, between 12:30-1 p.m.

Leigh Anne Garren and Lucas Case are serving as co-chairs for the event. Tickets can be purchased by calling GOP headquarters at 417-823-9130.

Steelman Explains "White Guy In A Suit" Comment

"It symbolizes what has gone wrong in Washington."
***WATCH CLIP ABOVE***

KANSAS CITY -- Without mentioning her by name, Congressman Roy Blunt responded to Sarah Steelman's comment that he's just "another white guy in a suit," by recalling his family history and pledging to fight for regular Missourians in his U.S. Senate campaign.

In wrapping up his remarks before the Kansas City Lincoln Day audience Friday night, Blunt said that the person who said that obviously doesn't know him. He pointed out that he was the first member of his family to graduate from college.

"I've never run away from a fight," Blunt said.

In an interview Saturday morning, Steelman acknowledged her characterization of Blunt may have sounded harsh, but she stood by her central point.

"It might have been a little out there, but the reason I did it is because it symbolizes what has gone wrong in Washington," Steelman said.

While Steelman did not speak to the Lincoln Day audience on Friday night, she made the rounds Saturday morning, speaking to small break-out groups like a women's Republican group and the Young Republicans.

***BELOW: STEELMAN EXPLAINS WHY SHE WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED FOR THE FINANCIAL BAILOUT OF THE BANKS THAT BLUNT HELPED CRAFT***

Who's Running In The 7th

Watch my KY3 News @ 10 Report HERE.

Bond All But Endorses Blunt, Boosts Talent for 2012

KANSAS CITY -- Sen. Kit Bond all but formally endorsed Congressman Roy Blunt for his U.S. Senate seat Friday night and strongly suggested that Jim Talent should be the party's candidate in 2012.

Bond made his comments before a Republican Lincoln Day audience of about 170 at the downtown Marriott hotel in Kansas City.

Bond said he was very pleased Blunt had "joined the fray," and praised his leadership in the House. Bond never explicitly endorsed Blunt, but his message and tone was clear. He did not mention Blunt's main rival for the Republican nomination, Sarah Steelman.

Steelman was seen briefly at the Marriott with her husband and a small entourage of loyalists. But the Steelman brigade left before the formal speaking banquet began to dine at a downtown Kansas City restaurant.

"We need a candidate that can unite the party," Bond said in comments that were very similar to those he made last spring in Branson, when he endorsed Kenny Hulshof for Governor. He said the G.O.P. needed someone who would put "integrity before politics."

"I want this seat red, not just for the Chiefs and the Cardinals but for the Republicans. We're going to keep this seat," Bond said to cheers.

Talent, who introduced Bond as the "most genuine person in politics I've ever met," also expressed the importance of holding the U.S. Senate seat. But in an interview afterward with reporters, Talent did not choose sides between Blunt and Steelman. He said he would not endorse, but encouraged both camps to "work it out," to attempt to avoid a primary. When asked if he thought Steelman should get out of the race, Talent replied, "no."

Lincoln Days in Kansas City

BECAUSE THE GRAND OLE PARTY,

IS JUST GETTIN' STARTED

UP-TO-THE MINUTE LIVE COVERAGE FROM KANSAS CITY

***ALL WEEKEND LONG***

@ THE KY3 POLITICAL NOTEBOOK

The annual statewide gathering of statewide Republicans begins tonight and runs through Sunday morning at the Kansas City Marriott.

For the schedule, click HERE.

No Formal Blunt Announcement Expected Saturday

***SPRINGFIELD'S 2009 LINCOLN DAYS***
WHAT SATURDAY'S SIGNALS WILL SAY

Sen. Kit Bond and Congressman Roy Blunt are both expected to address the noon luncheon at University Plaza.

CHECK TWITTER UPDATES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BLOG

A Republican insider with ties to the Congressman says it's unlikely Blunt will make a formal announcement of a candidacy for U.S. Senate at the event. Statewide Lincoln Days in Kansas City two weeks from now is a more likely venue for a potential Blunt announcement, says the source.

Sarah Steelman, who is sending strong smoke signals about a run for U.S. Senate will not be in attendance. She has a previous commitment to take her son to quarterback camp in St. Louis, according to a family friend. Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent is not expected to be in attendance and it's unclear what his intentions are for 2010. One Republican insider says he believes Talent is waiting to watch what Steelman does before making his own move. Others believe Talent will defer to 2012 for a re-match against Sen. Claire McCaskill.

(QUICK QUESTION: Who does a 3-way help or hurt? Would Talent's entry hurt Blunt or Steelman? Would Steelman have a better shot at dethroning Blunt with Talent in or out?)

THE 7th: Which potential candidates to replace Roy Blunt are out prominently glad-handing? Rep. Shane Schoeller, Sen. Jack Goodman, Sen. Gary Nodler and Rep. B.J. Marsh are all potentials. (But pssst . . . not everybody really thinking about it has said so publicly . . . More later . . .)

ENOUGH WITH THE ATMOSPHERICS . . . WHAT ABOUT THE PROGRAM?: As far as the event itself, former Greene County Commission candidate Lincoln Hough, Rep. Eric Burlison and Blunt staffer Miles Ross will hold an 11 a.m. forum about what it takes to become a G.O.P. candidate.

Rep. Bob Dixon, who has said he'll run for the 30th District Senate seat in 2010, will co-host a second forum with State Sen. Norma Champion to look at 2009 legislative issues.

New State Party Chairman David Cole is also expected to speak during the noon hour.

The always lovely and personable Ann Compton is chairing the event.

Oh, and they'll announce Greene County's Republican of the Year

(We're betting it's not Mark Wright)
{BTW: What's it about Wrights and dogs?}

The event is slated to conclude at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required to attend.