Missourinet

Republicans issue 2nd Amendment challenge to Democrats

The Missouri Republican Party is firing a shot across the bow ... well ... it's firing a shot, so to speak, over the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving an individual's right to bear arms.

The High Court's ruling overturned a District of Columbia ban on individual ownership of guns and - in effect - guaranteed the rights of all Americans to own guns. Some Missouri Democrats were quick to issue press releases and e-mails expressing support for the decision. Those expressions of support came from Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon, State Representative and Lieutenant Governor candidate Sam Page, and former Kansas City Mayor and congressional candidate Kay Barnes.

But the Republicans say they want to hear from other Democrats - especially those running this year. A press release from Missouri GOP Communications Director Tina Hervey states, "Missouri Democrats are invited to submit a press release detailing their position on the rights of Americans to keep and bear arms."

It's a "gotcha" challenge ... with Hervey saying of those who have stated their views ... and those who have said little: "This silence and unexpected support for the protection of Missourians' 2nd Amendment rights is shocking because it appears as if Democrats have abandoned their desire for stricter gun laws."

The challenge is actually a contest, of sorts. Tina wants Democratic candidates to send submissions to tina@mogop.org.

I must admit something similar had crossed my mind in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling - not the contest ... but the desire of some and the reluctance of others to express views on the subject. I noticed that the three main Democratic candidates for Attorney General had not issued press releases ... nor had they - to my knowledge - commented publicly on the ruling. So, I contacted Chris Koster, Jeff Harris, and Margaret Donnelly to find out where they stood.

The first of the candidates I asked was Senator Chris Koster. His response: "When the founders wrote the Bill of Rights they didn't just throw the amendments up in the air and see where they landed. They put the right to bear arms second. The right to bear arms is fundamental. The Supreme Court recognized that right in the D.C, case and they made the correct decision. It benefits all Missourians and all Americans."

I next spoke to Representative Jeff Harris (back on July 2nd), who told me he had not had a chance to read or review the opinion, and had only read a brief summary. Harris' response: "To me the Court's ruling basically affirms what I think most people believed, which is that there is an individual right. That right is not unlimited."

I then heard from State Representative Margaret Donnelly who said, "I support the 2nd Amendment with certain common sense restrictions like background checks and waiting periods. And, I think that the Supreme Court decision has raised questions which I think will mean that we'll have future decisions giving us guidance as to whether states do have the right to enact these common sense restrictions like the background checks and the waiting periods."

When contacting each of the AG candidates I suggested their silence on the issue (at that time) might have something to do with the fact the gun rights issue is a "toxic" one for Democrats who face the task of having to appeal to many conservative Democrats in rural Missouri - supporters of gun rights ... and many liberal Democrats in places like St. Louis - opponents of gun rights. All three rejected that assertion. But let's face it ... few Republicans would have trouble shouting from the rooftops that the Supreme Court ruling was a victory ... Such is not the case with Democrats - especially those in tight primary races.

- Steve Walsh

Dems eager, hungry for power, and finally organized

I was sitting at my desk earlier this week when Melissa Nitti from the Barack Obama campaign called to check on our coverage plans for Wednesday's Obama tour of rural Missouri. Before I had a chance to relay everything we planned on receiving from our affiliates, Melissa offered up a one on one interview with the man who might be the next President of the United States. No ... not Bob Barr ... but Barack Obama.

My conversation with Melissa gave her the chance to tell me the Obama campaign is hoping to make strides in many places in rural Missouri (which we had already been told). What was interesting is Melissa was aware of Missourinet's impact in these areas that are now being targeted by Democrats.

This was refreshing ... not just because someone who is not from Missouri (Melissa is from Oregon originally but now lives in Southern California) has some knowledge of this state ... but because - on a much larger scale - the Democratic Party at the national level has learned that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Kansas City Star are not the only media outlets in the Show-Me State.

I thought to myself ... they get it. The Democrats are coming around to the realization they already own Missouri's big cities ... and that there are votes be mined in the rural areas ... and most of the folks in those areas don't get their news from the Post-Dispatch and the Star. This is a big difference from elections past, with the Obama candidacy taking aim at many of those votes often ignored by Democrats. Brilliant!

Fast forward to Wednesday and Obama's I-44 trip from Springfield ... through Rolla ... and finally into Union for a barbecue. It was at this final event that I was to have my interview with Obama. The event was scheduled to get underway at 6 pm. At around 5:55 ... the bus pulled up to where Obama emerged to wave at and shake hands with some of his supporters. He was joined by Senator Claire McCaskill and Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. Not that I want to make a big deal out of this ... well, then again, of course I do ... the bus was on time and the event could get underway on time!!! Some of the Democrats with whom I spoke at the event even joked that being organized was not their party's strong point.

Anyone who remembers John Kerry and John Edwards' campaign stop at the State Capitol in Jefferson City four years ago remembers waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting. For that event and others it seemed as though Democrats were not inhibited by the need to be punctual. That ain't happening with Obama.

Anyway ... I did my interview (as did Jo Mannies of the Post-Dispatch who was given a one on one, as well) ... with no delays. In fact, Melissa and other organizers asked if I was ready to go early because Obama was ready. Impressed? You bet!

The Dems are hungry and want to take back the White House. And, not only is the guy at the top of the ticket organized and on time ... he's determined to go into the belly of the beast - traditionally Republican strongholds - to push his message and to try to take as many GOP votes as he can. This by no means guarantees that in November Obama will carry Missouri ... or even win the election. But it's impressive to see Democrats realizing that Missouri extends beyond the western border of St. Louis County and the eastern border of Jackson County.

- Steve Walsh

If not a Missourian ... how about a former Missourian on the Dem presidential ticket?

There's a lot of buzz, this week, over presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's choice as a running mate. And a good many Missourians - even those who might not be inclined to vote for Obama - have the cockles of their hearts warmed by the thought of the Show-Me State's junior U.S. Senator - Claire McCaskill - being considered as a VP choice.

Okay ... the talk of Our Claire being Obama's choice for the number two spot is being eclipsed, somewhat, by talk of other Democrats in Washington and elsewhere whose names are being tossed around. If what's coming out of the rumor mill is accurate ... the choice could be from a short list that includes Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut, and Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia.

Most Missourians might not be aware that if Our Claire is bypassed ... we could still see a Missourian ... or at least a former Missourian ... as Obama's running mate. The Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia (my favorite former state) was born in Minnesota ... but moved to the Kansas City area at an early age and attended KC's Rockhurst High School. He then moved onto the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He later attended Harvard Law School.

So ... we might not get a current Missourian in the VP spot ... but we could see a former Missourian as the choice ... and those Missouri roots might be attractive to the Democrats as they try to put this "red" state into the "blue" column in November.

- Steve Walsh

Little money ... and little organization ... but Nader supporters are a determined bunch

The Missouri Capitol press corps is a little bit spoiled in that we are used to dealing with the well-oiled machines that are the Democratic and Republican Parties. Occasionally, somebody with one of these parties will drop the proverbial ball ... but for the most part ... these are well-trained pros who know what they're doing.

Third parties are not as polished ... but some, like the Libertarian Party, do a pretty good job of getting their candidates ready for election campaigns ... and the staff members will work long hours to try to get as many votes as possible.

Enter the independent candidates. Ralph Nader announced in February that he would be seeking the White House again - as an independent candidate. Missouri law states that any independent candidate for President earns access to the November ballot by collecting 10,000 valid signatures from registered Missouri voters.

Bob Delaviras, the Missouri State Coordinator for the Nader-Gonzalez '08 Campaign submitted more than 20,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's Office on Monday. Officials there will verify and authenticate the signatures in the coming weeks to determine whether the required number of valid signatures has been met. The Nader folks with know by August 19th.

What stood out to yours truly and a couple of other members of the Capitol press corps with whom I spoke is that the Nader effort does not appear to be all that organized. This is not to say that Delaviras and others don't have their hearts in the right place ... it's just that their effort is a stark contrast to what we see from the Democrats and Republicans ... parties with so much organization ... and so much money.

I asked Delaviras about the Missouri organization ... and learned the Nader effort in the Show-Me State doesn't have a campaign office.

Download naderblog.MP3

Nader has run for President a number of times in the past ... picking up 38,515 Missouri votes in 2000 ... but dropping to only 534 Missouri votes as a write-in candidate in 2004. Assuming Nader wins a spot on the ballot, there's a good chance that with a lack of money to buy advertising time and to get out the word ... Nader might not pick up much more in the way of votes than he did four years ago. But if the McCain-Obama race is as close in Missouri as some political observers think it might be ... those 500 plus votes could be the difference this year ... and wouldn't that be some kind of statement for independent candidates?

- Steve Walsh

"The Architect" sees McCaskill as attractive VP choice

Missouri's junior U.S. Senator is already making headlines as a national campaigner for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama ... and there have been comments from the pundits that Claire McCaskill would bring a lot of positives to the ticket as Obama's VP choice. And, while some of the Capitol Hill reporters and pundits like to think of themselves as all-knowing ... it means a heck of a lot more when praise comes from someone who has actually been in the political trenches and played a big role in winning political wars.

Our Claire was a guest on this week's edition of Fox News Sunday ... and took advantage of the opportunity to praise Barack Obama on his trip abroad to such places as Iraq, Germany, and England. No secret that our junior Senator likes what she saw. After all, she was one of the early supporters of the Obama presidential bid ... and that was back in the days when conventional wisdom was that the nomination was Hillary Clinton's to lose.

Anyway ... during the course of the interview Our Claire was asked about the possibility of her being Obama's running mate ... and suggested - with her usual candor - that anyone who says they would not be thrilled to serve as Vice President is not being completely straight.

Now ... to the comments of one of the Washington pundits whose thoughts might actually matter. Karl Rove, who has earned the moniker "The Architect" because of the roles he has played in President George W. Bush's political triumphs, is now a Fox News political contributor. Following McCaskill's appearance on Fox News Sunday, Rove talked to FNS host Chris Wallace about running mates and how a Missourian like Claire McCaskill - from what is seen as a "red" state - could bring this state into the Obama column in November.

A lot of Republicans really love Karl Rove - primarily because he has been so successful in his political endeavors. Conversely, a lot of Democrats really hate Karl Rove - primarily because he has been so successful in his political endeavors. (Funny how that works). Likes and dislikes aside ... there is no getting around the fact that Karl Rove is a winner whose thoughts on politics probably mean a little more than those written or voiced by most of the talking heads in the Nation's Capital.

It's anyone's guess as to whether Our Claire will be asked to be Obama's running mate. Conventional wisdom (there's that old conventional wisdom thing again) says a freshman Senator would not choose another freshman Senator to fill the number two spot on the ticket. But, let's face it, as political years go ... this one has been very UNconventional.

- Steve Walsh

Idolatry coming to KC

Well ... it's the weekend ... and the time is perfect for a little bit of less than serious stuff on the old blog. So, let's focus on American Idol - a show I have no desire to watch ... but is one that is loved by so many Missourians. And, the victory by David Cook of Blue Springs - the reigning American Idol - adds something to this story.

The search for the next David Cook is getting underway. And, the search for the new Idol makes its way to Kansas City on August 8th ... with Season 8 Auditions scheduled for Kemper Arena. Organizers are starting registration August 6th and expect to attract thousands of people to Kansas City to demonstrate their talent ... or lack of same ... for judges.

It's thought that approximately 15,000 people will audition for ... the chance at stardom ... The chance to be ... a TV icon ... The opportunity to be ... the Last Comic Standing! Oops ... wrong show and wrong network. Make that ... The American Idol!

To find out about auditioning and how to register go to the American Idol website at http://www.americanidol.com/.

- Steve Walsh

Competing claims of victory as GOP gubernatorial race heads into homestretch

One of the first things I was asked as I returned to the metropolis of Jefferson from Wednesday's Republican gubernatorial debate in Springfield is ... "What do you think?" ... which is code for "Who won?" I don't know who won. I can say that both Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof got in their points as they answered questions for the better part of an hour. But I really can't say who came out on top.

That is not a problem for the campaigns which have been quick to proclaim victory in the wake of the debate. Former Missouri Republican Party Executive Director John Hancock - with the Hulshof campaign - was the first. He approached several reporters immediately following the debate to claim his guy had won. Spence Jackson with the Steelman campaign saw things differently, claiming it was a "knockout" for the State Treasurer over the U.S. Congressman from Missouri's 9th Congressional District.

Adding to the confusion are the comments of the Missouri Democratic Party which read, in part, "Neither candidate could defend their record tonight and neither could lay out a single new idea." Well ... we don't really expect the Dems to say much good about the Republicans, do we? And, interestingly enough, the Republicans don't usually have much good to say about Dems in their debates. Go figure.

Back to the Hulshof-Steelman tilt ... I know John and Spence well enough to believe that each sincerely thinks his candidate was the winner of the debate. And that's the way it should be. Would you really want to support a candidate whose campaign claims, "We really got clobbered tonight!" ... or a campaign claiming the opponent really got the best of it? Of course not!

Members of both the Steelman and Hulshof campaigns believe they are backing the candidate who can best represent the party against Democrat Jay Nixon in November. And they're working hard to secure victory. Not that I want to sound corny ... but that really is one of the great things about our political system. And it's a big part of what makes covering politics such a fun job.

- Steve Walsh

GOP debates done as Hulshof and Steelman wrap up in Springfield

The final scheduled debate in the GOP gubernatorial contest between Congressman Kenny Hulshof and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is now history as the two wrapped up their series of exchanges in the studios of Springfield TV station KY3. Voters go to the polls on August 5th ... and it certainly appears as though the combatants will be happy once this Republican family feud is settled once and for all.

I journeyed to Springfield for this final toe-to-toe ... as did a number of other State Capitol reporters ... and - as TV and radio people might say - it was a good show. The panel - made up of KY3's David Catanese, Missy Shelton of KSMU, and Chad Livengood of the Springfield News-Leader - asked some probing questions ... to which direct answers were not always volunteered. But that's how debates go.

Once the 58 minute event had come to an end ... Hulshof and Steelman took turns taking questions from the media for about 10 minutes each. Once they were done, my old friend Jack Cardetti of the Missouri Democratic Party showed up to hand out a press release with the Dems' take on the debate. Needless to say, the Dems did not have too many compliments. And ... just a wild guess ... when Republicans cover a Democratic debate or event ... the GOP has few good things to say about the Dems. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Anyway ... the folks at KY3 were great hosts ... providing a very generous work area for visiting media. The sound system was excellent ... and there was someone constantly checking in on reporters to make sure everything was going well. It was such a contrast to a Jim Talent-Claire McCaskill U.S. Senate debate I attended in St. Louis in 2006. I won't mention the TV station ... but will say that taking care of the needs of the visiting media was not one of the station's priorities that night. KY3 did it right ... It's good to work with professionals!

Okay ... one last thing ... on a personal note ... I had the chance to run into an old friend (actually, she's not old, at all ... but that's not the point) at KY3. I hadn't seen anchor/reporter Paula Morehouse since she left the Jefferson City/Columbia area a little while back. It's funny how you can just pick up where you left off and exchange some of the juicy gossip that I would love to repeat here ... but cannot for fear of having her do to me what Jesse Jackson suggested he wanted to do to Barack Obama. Just kidding ... she's far too sweet to do anything like that ... (at least I think she is!)

Looking ahead to the August 5th primary elections ... the Missourinet team will be out in force ... with News Director Bob Priddy anchoring coverage from our studios in the metropolis of Jefferson. We'll have details as we get closer to primary election day.

- Steve Walsh

Reality check ... are there realistic alternatives to oil use in Missouri?

The Natural Resources Defense Council has released a report ranking states most vulnerable to rising gas prices ... and offering solutions for relief. It's an interesting report in which Missouri is pointed out as one of the states not doing enough to reduce our oil dependency.

First off ... what is the Natural Resources Defense Council? It bills itself as "the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.2 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals."

A visit to the NRDC website gives visitors a chance to see what the organization considers its priorities: "Curbing Global Warning ... Moving America Beyond Oil ... Saving Wildlands Across the Americas ... Reviving Our Oceans ... Stemming the Tide of Toxic Chemicals ... Accelerating the Greening of China." Even a newsroom or public policy novice can wager the direction in which a report from this organization is going to go.

So, I called Deron Lovass, the Transportation Policy Director at the Washington, D.C.-based NRDC to get information on why Missouri is not doing enough to deal with its appetite for oil. Deron put forward some ideas he believes will help. And they might ... but are they realistic solutions to our problem of high pump prices?

One of his suggestions is that we promote clean cars that are more energy efficient. That seems like something we could do. Then there is the idea of setting targets for reducing traffic growth. That might be a good idea ... but how do we accomplish that? I pointed out to Deron that Missouri is not much like Washington or New York - places where people can hop on a subway or commuter train and get just about anywhere. He showed he is aware of our situation by suggesting St. Louis and Kansas City are big enough to support increased public transportation ... and he called for greater use of public transportation in parts of southwest Missouri where the population would warrant it.

That's fine ... but what about people who live in Columbia, for instance ... and work in Jefferson City? Or how about other people in rural Missouri who have two workers in the family who work in different locations. Car pooling is a possibility for some people out here in "flyover country" ... but certainly not for everyone. When I asked Deron how he and the NRDC would address a common situation in Missouri in which a husband and wife live in a city without much in the way of public transportation ... work in different cities ... or work in the same cities but at different times of the day, Deron suggested telecommuting is the way of the future, saying there should be more of it. Is that realistic? You decide.

We have a problem and it's interesting to get possible solutions from all over the spectrum ... and the NRDC ideas are certainly worthy of discussion. But until I can hop on the subway at the end of my street in Jefferson City and take it to the Learfield building ... then take another subway when I need to attend a news conference at the Capitol ... it's an idea that is - in all liklihood - going to remain in the discussion stage for many years to come. For better of for worse ... dependency on oil is a reality of life in most of Missouri.

- Steve Walsh

Floaters shoot for world record

Okay ... there's plenty of politicking going on ... but I think it's more fun to ease back into the day to day news gathering activities at the Missourinet by putting aside the serious stuff and focusing, instead, on the lighter side.

Apparently, people floating on air mattresses are going to try to get into the Guinness Book of World Records this weekend. It's scheduled for this Saturday in Lake St. Louis. According to a press release, a group of "floaters" will line up more air rafts and people on water than has ever been done before. The old record is 863 but that is expected to be flushed away.

And, it's all for a good cause as the "floaters" are raising money to help young cancer patients by using that cash to build a fountain and improve a playground at the H.W. Koening Cancer Center. Organizers are asking for donations of $10.00 per person. Not really all that pricey ... and it's for a good cause ... and it's a chance to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. Oh, by the way, you will need your own raft.

For more information ... contact Greg Jones at greg.d.jones@centurytel.net or at 314-308-5572.

- Steve Walsh