Purgason "Encouraged" By Public Policy Poll

Longshot U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason said he's encouraged by a new Public Policy Polling survey that shows his support in double-digits and noted that Congressman Roy Blunt's high unfavorable numbers in the Ozarks exemplify the problems of the Republican Party's frontrunner.

The poll, conducted between November 13 and 15th, shows Purgason trailing Blunt, 53% to 16%in a primary match-up. But in a potential general election match-up, as a candidate that 75 percent of the state doesn't know, Purgason only loses to Democrat Robin Carnahan by seven points.

"When you work grassroots, you start by planting seeds," Purgason said in an interview with The Notebook Wednesday night.

"WE'RE GOING TO BE ON DEFENSE"

"Polls don't have much affect on me. I have my basic core values and that's what I'm going to do no matter the poll, but I think it's encouraging," Purgason added. "I think what it tells you is that there's a strong anti-incumbency mood out there and that's what I've been seeing as I travel the state. The two parties are so blurred in their leadership."

Purgason pointed to Blunt's 38% favorable rating in the 417-Ozarks area code. "Those aren't very good numbers. We haven't even seen the negative attacks on Congressman Blunt yet. The bridge to nowhere, the TARP bailouts, the cash for clunkers. We're going to get into a fight that we don't have to have. We're going to be on defense," he said.

In the Ozarks, voters are divided over Blunt's favorability, 38%-38%. Carnahan's favorability in 417-land is 26%. Purgason's is only 10 percent.

"NOT IN THIS FOR A DEAL"

But in all of the crosstabs of the data, Purgason's biggest obstacle is name identification. Three-quarters of the state's potential voters don't seem to have enough information to render an opinion on him.

Purgason acknowledges that fundraising has been a challenge. "It's tough to do. Until filing opens and people know I'm serious, people are trying to figure out if I'm serious about this. I've had people say, what are you holding out for? But I'm not in this for a deal."

Asked about potential fundraising opportunities, Purgason said he has been in touch with the conservative Washington, D.C. based group, The Club for Growth. But he seemed hesitant about attempting to tap into money from interest groups outside Missouri.

"If a pro-second Amendment or pro-life group or conservative group wanted to give me money, I would accept it. I don't have any problems taking money from people who agree with my core values. But I really have a problem with so much money coming from Washington into Missouri races," Purgason said, adding that he knows he's "a little nieve."

"Look at all the outside money in the Blunt campaign. I would like to stay away from all that," he said.

When pressed, Purgason said he would accept the Club for Growth's backing if offered. "I would like to have their help, I'm just not thrilled about going to Washington to get it. And I can't afford the plane ticket right now," he said.

But the Caulfield State Senator realizes the only way he'll become a real threat for the GOP nomination, is if he's able to raise some cash.

At the end of the September, Purgason reported raising only around $11,000, with just $1,067 on hand to spend. He reported a total of about 20 contributors.

"I honestly think if I had half the money either of them had," he said, referring to Blunt and Carnahan, "I could win this race."

"A Lead As Thin As November Ice"

"In some ways, George Bush's lead is as thin as November ice."

--Dan Rather on Election Night 2004

Take the relentless ads by the League of Conservation Voters targeting Roy Blunt and the cadence of criticism building against Robin Carnahan for her silence on specifics . . . and toss it all out.

After ten months of early posturing and positioning, Public Policy Polling is here to report that nothing much has changed in Missouri's 2010 U.S. Senate race.

In January, Public Policy Polling gave Carnahan a immeasurable 1 point advantage. And in its latest survey, Carnahan maintains the same statistically insignificant lead. One point. 45-44, Robin.

At first glance, this has to be positive news for the Blunt camp. In this case, the tie goes to the battered. Blunt has had more to overcome in the first ten months and has sustained more fire from his foes.

"It is significant that the race is tied given the fact that Robin Carnahan's liberal allies have already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in false and negative TV and radio ads attacking Roy Blunt," wrote Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer in an memo sent to media outlets Wednesday.

"Since April, six attack ads have aired including one paid for by environmental extremists that was airing while this poll was taken. These false attacks have been made without paid response by the Blunt campaign, the GOP or any group. These type of results give us reason for great optimism but this represents only a snapshot in time," Chrismer added.

Conveniently enough, there are plenty of other mixed signals in this poll -- enough to give every side something favorable to point to.

Carnahan holds a 10-point lead over Blunt on her favorability rating. Forty percent see her positively, compared to just 30 percent for Blunt. Yet Blunt wins independents handily, 44%-32%. That's partly, perhaps, because 58 percent polled say they have an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic-controlled Congress.

"If Robin Carnahan had faced off against Roy Blunt in any election year between 1996 and 2008 she would likely have won given her superior popularity," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. "But 2010 has the potential to be an extremely good year for Republicans, and that’s made this race highly competitive."

The most glaring portion of the poll is the GOP primary race, where the unknown, underfunded, often ignored Sen. Chuck Purgason is polling 16 percent against Blunt.

Sure, Blunt holds a 53%-16% advantage, as expected. But why, after Blunt cleared the hurdles of two credible Republican threats (Sarah Steelman, Tom Schweich), is a third -- Purgason -- polling in double-digits.

It's likely his votes are coming from the populist right, the section of the party that is fed up with bailouts, cash for clunkers and deficit spending. But 16 percent is a fair chunk of the GOP primary vote for a guy that's mostly been ignored by his opponent and the media.

Even more striking, is that Purgason polls pretty well against Carnahan, being that it's 11 months from the general. PPP has Purgason trailing the Secretary of State by just seven points (42%-35%) in November.

And you could make the argument that while much less known, Purgason carries much less baggage than Blunt, who can expect a barrage of negative ads to attack everything from his lobbyist ties to his bailout votes to what he had for breakfast while George Bush was president.

Chrismer said "we believe we are in an even better position than this poll suggests. But even this Democrat firm is showing this is a very close race."

But another political consultant tells The Notebook, "This is a really bad environment for Democrats right now, but Robin is still doing well in light of that. That's a good indication of the strength of Robin as a candidate, the weakness of Blunt, or both, depending on one's viewpoint.

A very close race -- But we didn't need a poll to tell us that.

PPP surveyed 763 Missouri voters from November 13th to 15th. The margin of error is +/-3.6%.

In The Field

WHAT the CHUCK?

In the field conducting a new Missouri U.S. Senate race poll, Public Policy Polling leaks in a Tweet Saturday that Sen. Chuck Purgason may be polling in double-digits against Congressman Roy Blunt in the 2010 GOP primary.

From the Twitterboard: "Interesting finding on our Mo. poll so far- Blunt struggling to crack 50 against little known primary opponent," wrote Tom Jensen.

This would be the first public poll on the 2010 GOP U.S. Senate primary in Missouri.

Purgason, a State Senator from Caulfield, is significantly trailing Blunt in the early markers of fundraising, organization and endorsements. He's also complained that Blunt has repeatedly ignored him. But if the poll shows him in double-digits, it could help advance his argument that he's a credible candidate with a message that deserves coverage.

No word on when Public Policy Polling plans to release this poll.

In January, a PPP poll showed a statistical dead heat between Democrat Robin Carnahan and Blunt. (Carnahan 45%, Blunt 44% 3.3% MOE)

Purgason Endorses Hoffman

State Sen. Chuck Purgason is the latest Missouri Republican to back Doug Hoffman for Congress in the New York's 23rd District election Tuesday.

A flock of national conservative figures have backed Hoffman in recent days as he builds momentum in a three-way rae that appears to be increasingly marginalizing the Republican nominee.

"His stand on the issues and his desire to stand for conservative principles have led to my decision. I would like to see Congressman Blunt make a stand on this race but as always, he will probably ignore everything I say and hope that I would just go away," said Purgason, who is running for GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.

"I challenge Congressman Blunt to make a stand but it will surprise me if he responds to anything I have to say. I am just a lowly state Senator deeply concerned and working for the future of this country and our families," Purgason added.

The Hill newspaper notes that Rep. Roy Blunt didn't return multiple requests for comment regarding the 23rd District race.

Purgason Says He's Raised $12 K For Senate Run

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason told The Notebook Wednesday that he's raised about $12,000 since kicking off his campaign in late July.

But he expects to report only about half of that as cash on hand left to spend.

Purgason is launching an uphill bid against Congressman Roy Blunt in the 2010 GOP Senate primary.

Purgason said he raised most of the $12K over the last month. He said all the money came from individuals and noted he received no PAC money.

"Thanks for your attention," Purgason quipped. "It's more than I get from my party."

3rd Quarter campaign finance reports will become public next week.

Purgason Poses Debate Questions to Blunt

Frustrated by his inability to capture Roy Blunt's attention, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason has unilaterally issued some debate questions he wants the Congressman to answer.

"I have asked my opponent to sit down and talk about the future of our party but he refuses to even acknowledge me. So I must begin asking the questions that I and many of us in our party want answered," said Sen. Puragson in a release Tuesday.

A day after USA Today reported on how Blunt has received more campaign contributions from lobbyists this cycle than any other Congressional candidate, Purgason is raising questions about donations Blunt has received from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

"For example, many experts had warned for decades that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lacked sufficient capital to remain viable. Congress looked at higher standards but many of those efforts have been stymied by sustained and high-powered lobbying campaigns that have taken real teeth out of many much needed reforms," Purgason said. "With this in mind, my opponent has taken more money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac PAC’s than any United States Congressman or Senator," he went on.

PURG'S QUESTIONS:
"The questions that needs to be answered, Can a Congressman take so many contributions from a PAC and still work for meaningful reforms that are necessary to protect hard earned taxpayer dollars? And if so what reforms has he personally done to solve this lingering problem that threatens the financial security of our nation,?" he asked.

Blunt's team has previously responded to requests for comment about Purgason by turning the focus to Democratic candidate Robin Carnahan.

Purgason Pulls Back On "Controversial" Debates

REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE NOW PROPOSING 'DISCUSSIONS'

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Chuck Purgason said he was "tired and angry" when he proposed debating Congressman Roy Blunt and is now calling for his primary opponent to take part in less "controversial" roundtable discussions.

"I wrote a press release when I was tired and angry. In hindsight, this was not the thing I should have done. All of us in the Republican party must strive to remember that Congressman Blunt and I are in the same party," Purgason wrote in a press release Monday. "All of us in the Republican party must strive to remember that Congressman Blunt and I are in the same party. We should not have a debate because debates tend to be more controversial as both candidates try to get each other in that "gotcha" moment that campaign reporters and political pundits try to focus on," he said.

But now the Howell County State Senator is proposing Blunt join him in roundtable discussions.

"I deserve a chance to speak and be heard by the leaders of my party and a chance to be included in the discussions on the future of our party. These discussions would be between the two of us with a moderator to keep the conversation on the point of focus. The topic of these discussions would be how each of us would put forth our ideas and beliefs and the direction we feel our party needs to adhere to put forth our agenda for America," Purgason said. "I do not want to turn these into debates, but I will work along with Congressman Blunt to put forth meaningful conversations on the direction we think we would lead our party and nation if elected into office. I, along with the people who work hard within our party day in and day out, deserve this dialogue. I await Congressman Blunt’s answer to this proposal," he concluded.

***

ALSO: Blunt touts 100 August meetings in campaign e-mail

"I gave my answers to many, many questions on where I stand on the issues. My reasons. How I would vote and why. My ideas and proposals for the future," Blunt wrote in an e-mail to supporters Monday. Every candidate is a job applicant. That’s what I was taught about democracy. It helped guide me as a classroom teacher when I taught high school history. It’s how I ran for local office and since then. If you can’t stand the heat, then you aren't ready for work in the kitchen," he added.

"If you want to be hired by the people, then present yourself to your fellow citizens, look people in the eye, and answer their questions to the best of your ability. If you want people’s trust, then earn it," Blunt said.

The Biggest Risk

Purgason Wants A Debate Too

Robin Carnahan isn't likely to debate Roy Blunt until next August, and Roy Blunt isn't likely to debate Chuck Purgason . . . ever.

But the debate over the debates have begun earlier than usual for the 2010 cycle.

The psychology around it all is political and rather juvenile. Usually the front running figure is the pol who wants to debate the least.

In the 2010 Blunt-Carnahan race, there's no clear frontrunner -- but the Blunt camp knows that its candidate has more potential targets on his back, being an incumbent in Congress. Blunt's risk of a serious primary opponent is/was also much higher than Carnahan's.

So by asking for a debate, a joint press conference, to share a cab, etc . . . --- with Carnahan --- it's meant to paint a clear demonstration that Blunt will be the man to carry the GOP banner. It's also meant to draw a contrast with Carnahan, who's mostly dodged specifics during the first seven months of her campaign.

Show Carnahan to be in clear alliance with the Obama/Democratic agenda while conservatives are red hot and motivated and the majority's popularity seems to be in decline -- and Blunt could be a U.S. Senator after all, the thinking goes.

But wait, there's Chuck. Purgason that is -- who will run a longshot campaign on a shoe-string budget with his family (Oh, the horror!) serving as his top advisers.

Last night, in another signal that he's a nightowl (Purgason sent his last release announcing his candidacy after 10:30 p.m. --- Ugh!!! The consultants would cringe!), Purgason basically asked everyone to "Stop, Collaborate and Listen." (Pun intended).

He waved a red flag and said Blunt was attempting to "bypass" the August primary election.

"I can't help but wonder why I was not invited to participate," Purgason asked.

Oh, sure you can, Senator. But that's not the point.

"Could it be because my background is so strong in health care?," Purgason went on.

Nope.

It's true that you served on the House committee on Appropriations for Social Services and the House Budget Committee and the Health and Mental Committee AND sponsored the Senate bill that resulted in the 2005 Medicaid cuts . . . ahem reform.

But guess again.

Purgason won't get a debate the same reason Blunt won't get a debate -- until next August.

Because it involves too much risk. Too much risk for Purgason to make a point or argument that could be used against Blunt later. Too much risk for Blunt to attempt to give legitimacy to a bolo-tied cowboy from Howell County.

Just like it's too much risk for Carnahan to stand next to Blunt and debate the public option, how to cover those with pre-existing conditions, the cost of cap and trade. (Why bother when third party interests groups are pummeling him and you can kick back as Secretary of State?)

Too much risk for any of them to take their eye off the bigger prize.

Blunt could pin Carnahan in a corner; or Puragson could prove to be smarter than them both.

If it happened, the voters would probably learn a lot more about them all. It would serve democracy well.

But it won't happen.

But one could hope that Purgason --- being the least risk-averse --- might be the purest of them all.

And should another little-known unlikely candidate climb into the race under any party banner or none at all, Purgason should step up and say, "let's debate."

Because the biggest risk to these candidates may be actually engaging each other on substance.

But the biggest risk to the rest of us is allowing them to attain office without hearing them define their differences clearly and often.

Roy Proposes Joint Healthcare Presser with Robin

BUT CARNAHAN POINTS TO PURG

U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt personally invited his likely Democratic opponent Robin Carnahan to participate in a joint news conference this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in Jefferson City.

"Everywhere I go, Missourians ask me about health care and express their concern about a government takeover of American health care. I believe the voters would benefit from a bipartisan, media-directed discussion of the many vital issues in the national debate on health care," Blunt said in a statement.

"As co-hosts, the two Senate candidates would make brief opening statements and then respond to the media's questions as they are posed, the standard format for news conferences," according to the format proposed by Blunt.

But asked if whether Carnahan would participate in such an event, spokesman Tony Wyche responded, "First things first. I think he should be first contacting Senator Chuck Purgason."

Wyche then indicated it was unlikely Carnahan would participate in such a joint appearance until after the Republican nominee is officially decided next August.

Back in February, when Sarah Steelman was still considered a likely U.S. Senate contender, the Carnahan camp gave a similiar answer.

Saturday Showdown: Another 7th District Test

KISS THE RING

All of the announced candidates for the 7th Congressional District will face-off at KSFG's "Patriots in the Park" event in Springfield Saturday.

GOP contenders Sen. Jack Goodman, Auctioneer Billy Long, Prosecutor Darrell Moore, Sen. Gary Nodler and College Instructor Jeff Wisdom are all scheduled to speak in Fassnight Park from 12-2 p.m.

Wisdom, who is currently overseas, will address the crowd by phone, according to his campaign.

Independent candidate U.S. House candidate Dean Moore and U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason are also expected to speak.

Each candidate will get about 10 minutes to address the crowd, and it will be moderated by the flamboyant KSGF host Vincent David Jericho.

The event is another public test for the 7th District contenders who are vying for early enthusiasm and support. Insiders will be closely watching which candidate captures the mostly conservative crowd.

*PLACE YOUR BETS HERE*

12 OPEN QUESTIONS:

1. How many jokes Billy Long will deliver -- and if he's got any new ones.

2. What gets bashed more -- the stimulus OR government healthcare.

3. The kind of reception "the base" gives Darrell Moore.

4. Since Jericho is for Wisdom, how much of the crowd will be pro-Wisdom.

5. If any of them publicly praise Roy Blunt with the knowledge of Jericho's feud with the Congressman.

6. Who wins the sticker/sign ground war.

7. Who gets more applause Goodman or Long.

8. Who gets more applause Goodman or Nodler.

9. Which candidate delivers the most red meat for the right.

10. If any of the 7th District candidates clap for anything Purgason says.

11. Dean Moore's relevancy.

12. Which candidate has grown/sharpened his message the most since entering the race.

Purgason to Speak to Springfield Republicans Thursday

Howell County State Senator Chuck Purgason will speak to the Springfield Metropolitan Republicans Thursday about his 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate.

Puragson is running for the Republican nomination against the heavily favored Congressman Roy Blunt.

Purgason is slated to speak at 7 p.m. at the Library Center on South Campbell. He's expected to take questions.

To hear more from Purgason, click HERE HERE and HERE.

***

The topic at the meeting after Purgason speaks will be: CO2 – Chemistry in Nature under Attack. Chris Donegan of the group says that the Missouri Public Utility Alliance will present information on the cap and trade legislation currently pending before Congress.

"No One's Standing Up Right Now"

In the second part of my interview with U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason, he contrasts himself with Roy Blunt, reiterates his ban on family lobbyists and acknowledges the "mountain" in front of him.

KEY QUOTES:

"I think that the contrast right now is that he's been in Washington a long time and I haven't. And the direction that Washington is going, people aren't happy with."

"In a primary, for the people that think government's going the wrong direction, without me in the race, they don't have a choice."

"If Robin Carnahan, a member of her family lobbied, would that be an issue with Republicans? I believe it would be. And I believe it would be an issue with me."

"I know exactly what mountain I've got in front of me right now. You know, but what's the alternative? Sit and do nothing?"

*WATCH ALL OF PART II ABOVE*

Can Primaries Help A Party?

Barack Obama had a tough one -- and it worked out pretty well.

So did Kenny Hulshof . . . not so much.

Which raises the age old argument: Do primaries help or hurt a party?
***
In our interview with new U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason, the Howell County State Senator makes the case that primaries can be a good thing.

"I think the best thing you can do is get, the more people the merrier to run in a primary," Purgason said. "It's only the candidates that can divide the party," he added.

Purgason then noted the infamous 1992 G.O.P. primary for Governor -- when Roy Blunt was the "outsider" who ran a rough-and-tumble primary campaign against Bill Webster and Wendell Bailey. The race is known among longtime Missouri politicos as the nastiest in recent GOP history.

"I don't have to run that type of primary," Purgason said.

*WATCH PART 1 OF INTERVIEW ABOVE*

ALSO: Talks about "staffing up," and Mrs. Woolsley

*More clips from my one-on-one with Purgason will be posted throughout the week*

"There Are A Lot of Ms. Woolsey's Out There . . . That Want Their Country Back"

PURGASON STUMPS

Watch excerpts of Sen. Chuck Purgason's kick-off speech for U.S. Senate above.

Below: Ross Perot-style, Purgason outlines the growing deficit under Republican rule, and outlines a list of promises if elected U.S. Senator

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

He hoped to avoid it, and did everything to try, but Congressman Roy Blunt now officially has a primary opponent in his 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate. State Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, announced a longshot bid for U.S. Senate on Thursday in front of rural working class conservatives at a mom and pop restaurant in West Plains.

"I believe in the principles of the Republican Party but the people we have elected have not fulfilled those principles," Purgason said, standing alongside his wife and two children, which he called his "campaign staff."

Purgason, who is in his second term in representing seven south central Ozarks counties in Jefferson City, made the case that he's the true fiscal conservative in the race to replace Sen. Kit Bond.

Channeling images of Ross Perot, Purgason used a homemade chart -- held up by his wife -- to demonstrate the deficits run up under Republican control. It was no coincidence that Purgason was referring to a time period when Blunt served in U.S. House leadership.

"I think that the contrast right now is that he's been in Washington a longtime, and I haven't. And the direction that Washington is going people aren't happy with," Purgason said in an interview in the Ozark Cafe after his kickoff speech.

Purgason's bid is unquestionably the longest of long shots but his appeal with disillusioned Republicans could force Blunt to answer his concerns about fiscal issues and aid Democratic talking points.

On Ky3 News @ 6: Purgason Enters, Carnahan Reacts

@RoyBlunt

PURGASON'S LONG SHOT; CARNAHAN TAKES A SHOT

Howell County State Sen. Chuck Purgason's entrance into the race for U.S. Senate will cause many establishment Republicans to roll their eyes -- but his connection with rural fiscal conservatives could force Congressman Roy Blunt to answer his critiques and aid Democratic attack points.

Plus: Robin Carnahan visits Springfield -- as Secretary of State.

*WATCH THE KY3 News @ 6 Q & A Above*

The Full REPORT . . . Tonight on KY3 News @ 10

Purgason In

State Senator Chuck Purgason told the KY3 Political Notebook Monday night that he'll officially launch his campaign for U.S. Senate this Thursday, setting up a GOP primary match-up against Congressman Roy Blunt.

"People are just not satisfied with the direction we're going, the leadership we've had," said Purgason, in an interview when reached late Monday night.

Asked why he's launching a longshot challenge to Blunt, Purgason said: "I think they had their opportunity when they controlled the House, the Senate and the Presidency and it seemed to be business as usual. And it's not that they were just in charge. He was in leadership."

Purgason, who just began his second term in the State Senate, plans to kick-off his campaign on Thursday at the Ozarks Cafe in West Plains. A 2:00 p.m. news conference is scheduled. Purgason said his campaign launch will include charts that show how the deficit exploded under Republican leadership in Washington. "We can't continue to run up the credit card," he said.

"I think that there is a strong anti-Washington sentiment across the state," Purgason said. "People don't blame Democrats versus Republicans as much as they blame Washington. I think we learned that in the (Kenny) Hulshof race, it was Washington values vs. Missouri values."
***

Purgason, who plans to run as the fiscal conservative in the race, noted that he opposed most of the 2010 budget because it was "balanced on federal money." "It's set us up for fiscal disaster. We shouldn't have used federal money. We should've reduced ongoing expenses, because we're going to pay for it this next year," he said.

Purgason of Caulfield said he hasn't begun soliciting fundraising commitments but is in the process of filing the appropriate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

Asked about how he'll overcome Blunt's tremendous fundraising advantage: "An incumbent's going to need more money than I will to explain what they've been doing in Washington."

Asked about the consolidation of support Blunt has received through endorsements from elected officials: "The endorsements don't bother me. We've looked it up, between all of them there's hundreds of years of government experience in those endorsements."

Purgason's Senate district encompasses seven counties in south central Missouri.

Purgason Exploring Senate Bid "For Silent Majority"

State Sen. Chuck Purgason said Wednesday he's exploring a 2010 U.S. Senate bid in order to potentially represent "a silent majority" of conservatives upset with the fiscal state of the country.

Purgason, who represents the far eastern portion of the KY3 viewing area in the State Senate, said he's been mulling the idea of a Senate campaign since Sen. Kit Bond announced his retirement plans.

"It seems like people are hungry for someone to tell them the truth and offer real leadership when it comes to the deficit," Purgason said in an interview with The Notebook Wednesday.

In a release sent to reporters earlier Wednesday, Purgason said the GOP bears "some of the blame of the things that are happening today."

"We have forgotten our values, what we stand for, and what made us a great nation. In the past few years, the leaders we sent to Washington did not stand up for our values of smaller government and more freedoms but instead became part of the problem rather than the solution. As a result, we have become a Party without a true base and a vacancy in real leadership," Purgason's release reads.

When asked if he places some of the blame on Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt, Purgason said he just sees "Washington as business as usual."

"I think the Republican party had a great opportunity a few years ago with control of the House, the Senate and the presidency to get our financial house in order, and I'm disappointed that didn't happen," Purgason said, never mentioning Blunt by name.

"In order to shake up Washington, I think we just might need a new, fresh face," he said. "I think the silent majority is a very powerful force. I think there are a lot of people who are disgusted about the direction we're going, with the spending and the bailouts . . . I just want to go out and talk to people," Purgason added.

Purgason said he has not consulted with much of the top Republican establishment about his potential campaign. He said a few close friends who are considered about the growing deficit urged him to consider it.

"I really haven't ever paid attention to a lot of those people to say yes or no to do anything," Purgason said, referring to the GOP hierarchy. "I have the mindset that instead of sitting back and griping, I'll do it on my own."

Purgason said he hasn't talked to Blunt about his potential plans either. He said the Congressman asked him for his support at a GOP Lincoln Day event, but that Purgason told Blunt he couldn't support him "at that time."

Purgason said he's "in no hurry" to make a decision on a run.

It's not clear if his personal timeline with be more Schweichish or Steelmanesque.

Former ambassador Tom Schweich has taken his name out of the running for a Senate bid. Sarah Steelman said she's still "seriously considering" a Senate run of her own.

For more on Purgason, check out his political website HERE.

"3 Percent . . . Won't Pay The Rent"

STATE WORKERS PROTEST 3% PAY HIKE

FAVOR FLAT-RATE PLAN, PASSED BY HOUSE

"Listen Blunt . . . Do You Hear?"

GOVERNOR, SENATE BACK 3% PLAN

Union Worker: "If you make $100,000, you get a $3,000 raise. If you make $30,000 or less, like all of us, you get about $800."

Sen. Purgason: "The problem with the flat rate is that it persuades people not to move into management."

Blunt spokesperson: "The state becomes less competitive in the labor market because of smaller increases in the positions difficult to fill."

WATCH MY KY3 NEWS @ 6 REPORT HERE