Monday, August 07, 2006

Ron Day: Pro-Life & Wright

Republican candidates running for office were given a shot to woo the party faithful last week at the Springfield Metro Republican Club Meeting.

Just 4 local legislative candidates took advantage of the open-mic forum. None were incumbents. What was said wasn't all too much. But if you are still trying to pick a candidate, here is who showed and what they said.

Ron Day, #137
Ron Day is running for Rep. Mark Wright's seat. Last week, Day told me that Wright has endorsed him for the seat. Day is also endorsed by Missouri Right to Life. "I'm the pro-life candidate." Day admits he's run a low profile campaign. "I've walked a lot of the district, but haven't yet covered it," he told me. When I asked if he had a campaign website, he acknowledged, "No, I don't know how to do that." At the Metro meeting, Day told attendees that he's a lifetime blue-collar worker, a 37-year resident of the district who knows the northside. "Police broke up a meth lab across the street from my house. I know the northside," Day said. In his speech, Day said he would protect property rights and oppose raising any taxes. But he also said Governor Blunt went too far on Medicaid cuts to the working disabled. "It was clear the Governor's cut in Medicaid last year was a little too deep and I want to help restore that."

Dan Scott, #137
Dan Scott, Day's opponent took his time at the forum to read favorable comments from other district residents about him. He called the opinions "humbling." Scott pledged to give something back to a district that, "raised me, educated me and taught me about faith and charity." The conventional wisdom is that Scott is more organized and has to be considered the favorite over Day Tuesday, yet some conservatives say Day lines up closer on the issues with them.

David Dunn, #135
Locked in a knock-down drag out affair with Rep. Charlie Denison, Dunn kept his message simple. "I bring a no-nonsense, common sense aspect to government," Dunn said, pledging to listen and learn from voters in the #135 district. He said he's knocked on more than 4,500 doors in the district. Will those doors multiply into votes to serve up an upset special Tuesday?

Michael Goodart, #138
He's 26-years-old . . . and hey, who doesn't like a young guy with spunk trying to shake things up a bit? Goodart appears to be working the district hard. He told the Metro club he has gained momentum since a recent debate on KSGF and because of a recent article in the Springfield News-Leader and one posted on here. "I feel like I can take the momentum to November . . . and get Sara Lampe out of office," Goodart told the crowd.

Bigger Question: Will any of these guys become winners Tuesday . . . and who has the best shot?

1 comment:

Rev Chris M Fluharty said...

I was there and all Dan Scott did was read his direct mailer. And ignore possible votes. Organized? This guy is clueless. He has said nothing on the issues and when confronted at one forum he left the building (the issue was stem cells)to avoid answering. He wants to be all things to all people and if the GOP open their eyes they will see that he is not one of them. Dan Scott is more moderate then McCain. Wright never conpromised his conservative base to win this district. it seems Dan will do anything to win. If he does win I feel sorry for him when the dogs are unleashed and the truth finally comes out. Ron Day does have Wright's endorsement. Wright even made it that night during the Auditors debate. So vote Day if you want a real 137th resident serving you in the GOP primary.