NATO Summons Schweich

Republican candidate for Auditor Tom Schweich is heading to Germany to help NATO provide a training program on crime and corruption in Afghanistan.

Team Schweich made the announcement Monday in an e-mail to supporters.

The message says that Schweich would be taking "a few days off the campaign trail this week."

"Tom had the honor of being invited by the head of NATO training to go to Germany to provide a training program on crime and corruption in Afghanistan to NATO officers about to deploy to Afghanistan. In addition to his strong background in law enforcement, investigations, and audits, Tom is recognized as one of the world's leading experts on Afghanistan - having spent time there when he worked as an ambassador in the Bush Administration," reads the message.

The campaign e-mail also touts Schweich's record third quarter fundraising and his endorsement list, prominently featuring a quote by Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt.

"The momentum is building," reads the message. "In just a few days, Tom will be back on the campaign trail with his usual energy and enthusiasm."

Schweich is facing Budget Chair Allen Icet for the Republican nomination for State Auditor in 2010.

Emerson to Brussels, The Alps . . . and Beyond

Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson is part of a U.S. House delegation traveling to NATO headquarters in Brussels this week.

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The Washington Post reports that Emerson and a delegation of a dozen other lawmakers will country-hop in a nine-day overseas trip beginning Saturday.

The NATO-driven trip begins in Brussels, but then moves to other beautiful hotspots.

Al Kamen pens it best:

"We would point out that the next stop is, yes, the City of Lights, Paris, where one could have a nice late Valentine's Day moment. From there we move on to Vienna for a little Sacher torte and then to review NATO's strategy to defend the Bavarian Alps, stopping in the lovely ski center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with its breathtaking views. The huge number of members, spouses and staffers, plus military escorts, will require taking one of the bigger military jets, but we're told these trips are an important use of taxpayer money.

Just another reason for the House to pass that stimulus Friday.