Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
LIBERTARIANS BIG WINNER ON TUESDAY
In Missouri's U.S. Senate race, at least, especially here in the 7th Congressional District of southwest Missouri. First, the statewide numbers:
Talent WON in 2002 with 49.8 percent of the vote, to Jean Carnahan's 48.7 percent.
Talent LOST in 2006 with 47.4 percent of the vote, to McCaskill's 49.4 percent.
The Dem gains .7 percent; Talent loses 2.4 percent.
A glaring difference: The Libertarian candidate went from 1 percent in 2002 to 2.3 percent in 2006.
Libertarian gains were more pronounced in Missouri's 7th District:
•In Lawrence County, McCaskill pulled 35.2 percent -- exactly as much as Carnahan in 2002. But Talent's share dwindled from 62.2 percent to 59.7 percent. The Libertarian candidate received 1.9 percent in 2002 and 3.9 percent in 2006.
•In Polk County (home to Southwest Baptist University), Talent defeated Carnahan in 2002, 62.4-35.5 percent. This year, Talent was held to under 60 percent -- 58.7-36.5, with the Libertarian share growing from 1.4 to 3.8 percent.
•In Taney County, Talent went from a 64.3-33.9 split in 2002 to a 60.6-34.8 victory in 2006. The Libertarian vote grew to 3.4 percent, from 1.3 percent in 2002.
•In Christian County, Talent lost more than 3 percent of his support (63.6 in 2002, 60.5 in 2006). The Democratic share grew only slightly, from 34.6 to 35.3 percent. But the Libertarian vote more than doubled, from 1.2 to 3.1 percent.
•In Barry County, Talent was held under 60 percent (59.2, from a high of 63.3 percent in 2002). Dems inched up from 34.8 to 35.5 percent. Libertarians increased their share from 1.4 to 3.9 percent.
In all five counties, Democrats didn't grow their share by more than a point. That's not to say the Democrats didn't do their fair share of damage to Talent in the 7th District. The senator suffered a significant setback in Greene County, where he won 59 percent of the vote in his 2002 race against Carnahan.
Talent's vote share was 49,164 to Carnahan's 33,144.
This year, about 17,500 more people voted in Greene County than in 2002. Talent gained about 4,000 votes. McCaskill piled 10,000 more votes on top of Carnahan's mark.
Percentages: 58.6-39.5 in 2002; 53.6-42.6 in 2006. Claire breaks 40 percent in the county.
Talent WON in 2002 with 49.8 percent of the vote, to Jean Carnahan's 48.7 percent.
Talent LOST in 2006 with 47.4 percent of the vote, to McCaskill's 49.4 percent.
The Dem gains .7 percent; Talent loses 2.4 percent.
A glaring difference: The Libertarian candidate went from 1 percent in 2002 to 2.3 percent in 2006.
Libertarian gains were more pronounced in Missouri's 7th District:
•In Lawrence County, McCaskill pulled 35.2 percent -- exactly as much as Carnahan in 2002. But Talent's share dwindled from 62.2 percent to 59.7 percent. The Libertarian candidate received 1.9 percent in 2002 and 3.9 percent in 2006.
•In Polk County (home to Southwest Baptist University), Talent defeated Carnahan in 2002, 62.4-35.5 percent. This year, Talent was held to under 60 percent -- 58.7-36.5, with the Libertarian share growing from 1.4 to 3.8 percent.
•In Taney County, Talent went from a 64.3-33.9 split in 2002 to a 60.6-34.8 victory in 2006. The Libertarian vote grew to 3.4 percent, from 1.3 percent in 2002.
•In Christian County, Talent lost more than 3 percent of his support (63.6 in 2002, 60.5 in 2006). The Democratic share grew only slightly, from 34.6 to 35.3 percent. But the Libertarian vote more than doubled, from 1.2 to 3.1 percent.
•In Barry County, Talent was held under 60 percent (59.2, from a high of 63.3 percent in 2002). Dems inched up from 34.8 to 35.5 percent. Libertarians increased their share from 1.4 to 3.9 percent.
In all five counties, Democrats didn't grow their share by more than a point. That's not to say the Democrats didn't do their fair share of damage to Talent in the 7th District. The senator suffered a significant setback in Greene County, where he won 59 percent of the vote in his 2002 race against Carnahan.
Talent's vote share was 49,164 to Carnahan's 33,144.
This year, about 17,500 more people voted in Greene County than in 2002. Talent gained about 4,000 votes. McCaskill piled 10,000 more votes on top of Carnahan's mark.
Percentages: 58.6-39.5 in 2002; 53.6-42.6 in 2006. Claire breaks 40 percent in the county.
RUMSFELD RESIGNS
The latest casuality in the midterm elections. Just breaking on The Associated Press.
This is a surprisingly tone-deaf side of the Bush Administration. Just last week President Bush reaffirmed his support of Rumsfeld and said he would stay on through the end of Bush's term. Now, in his news conference, Bush admits the change was already being planned when he misled reporters. Had Bush been able to get out the word that Rumsfeld was on his way out, the midterm elections outcome could have been much different -- and much better -- for the GOP.
This is a surprisingly tone-deaf side of the Bush Administration. Just last week President Bush reaffirmed his support of Rumsfeld and said he would stay on through the end of Bush's term. Now, in his news conference, Bush admits the change was already being planned when he misled reporters. Had Bush been able to get out the word that Rumsfeld was on his way out, the midterm elections outcome could have been much different -- and much better -- for the GOP.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
ELECTION DAY THREAD
2:20 a.m.
Stem-cell has cracked a million and is up by more than 25,000 votes (about 10,000 more people voted against stem-cell initiative than voted for Talent). Tobacco tax is dead. Minimum-wage increase has 76-percent approval. McCaskill and Montee both crack the million-vote mark.
2:00 a.m.
At this rate it looks like Democrats may well retake the U.S. Senate (McCaskill wins, Webb holds on in Virginia, Tester wins in Montana). Freepers get angry while DUers gloat about McCaskill.
Susan Montee, the new Missouri auditor, is quite the fresh deal. She's outdrawing McCaskill by more than 35,000 votes.
One more thing about the Greene County statehouse races. Each state rep's district in Missouri covers about 34,000 people. The two districts now belonging to Democrats -- Sara Lampe's 138th and Charlie Norr's 137th -- had the two lowest vote tallies in the county.
In the 137th, a total of 8,166 votes were cast.
In the 135th, Charlie Denison got 9,864 votes. In the 139th, Shane Schoeller got 8,379 votes. In the 140th, Bob Dixon tallied 8,952 votes.
The good side for Greene County Democrats: Three of their four defeated candidates for the Missouri House still earned more than 40 percent of the vote.
The problem for local Democrats: Their strongholds ain't so strong when it comes to voting. A devoted campaign worker was walking the northside late Tuesday, knocking on doors to get people out to vote before the polls closed at 7 p.m. A surprising, and disheartening, number of people said thanks, but no. On their lawns were signs for Democratic candidates.
1:30 a.m.
McCaskill wins.
1:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8
McCaskill is ahead by about 35,000 votes now. More than 3,300 reporting precincts, with another 400 to go. Stem-cell initiative has pulled ahead by more than 10,000 votes.
Roy Blunt has to look at Tuesday with pause. Two years ago, local Dems spend a quarter-million dollars and ran a credible "name" candidate in Jim Newberry. Blunt won Greene County, 65-33. This time out, Jack Truman ran (despite the wishes of official Dems). Truman dabbles in porn production and lives in Lamar. Randy Turner at The Turner Report has been following this story since since last March, and it's a hoot.
With virtually no funding and absolutely no credibility, Truman bested Newberry's high-water mark in Greene County by a point-and-a-half. Truman didn't matter; it was Blunt's weakness. He was held to 62 percent in Greene County. A buttload of votes, sure, but:
•In 1998 he got 71 percent of the vote.
•In 2000 it was 70 percent.
•In 2002, 72 percent.
•Being held to 65 percent in 2004 was considered a remarkable accomplishment for Democrats.
The three-point drop in Greene County that Blunt experienced on Tuesday shows the fervency of anti-GOP sentiment across the country. A red-drenched county like Greene had a significant drop in support for a powerful, popular Republican congressman. In a more moderate political environment, a guy like Blunt could have been red meat for hungry Democrats.
The 7th District numbers are equally blunt for Blunt. Two years ago he trounced Newberry, 70-28. This time out, a no-name gained three while Blunt lost four (66-31). He also lost his majority whip's job. Blunt has never served in the minority, having come to Congress in 1997. His mentor, Tom DeLay, is gone, and the Dems have captured DeLay's old seat. Does Blunt bide his time and hope the Missouri GOP dream scenario comes true? It goes this way: Reliable but aging warhorse Kit Bond retires. Gov. Matt Blunt appoints Roy "Dad" Blunt as Senator. Governor leaves his icky Jeff City job and runs for Dad's old seat in Congress. A dynasty is preserved.
Observation: The national Republicans may have taken a smacking on Tuesday, but the Missouri GOP is a machine like few others, especially when it comes to last-minute negative mailings.
11:50 p.m.
At this late stage, Claire McCaskill is still behind by 45,000 votes, but Jim Talent's lead is shrinking. McCaskill drew 42.5 percent of the vote in Greene County -- a full two points better than expected, and above the alleged threshold for keeping Republicans safe in statewide elections.
Locally, Democrats did not do as well as expected. While Sara Lampoe easily trounced Steve Helms, Doug Harpool lost to Norma Champion in the state senate race. An aside about that senate race: It is a testament to the GOP's ability to churn out the vote. Four years ago, Champion garnered 25,900 votes to defeat Craig Hosmer (he drew 24,400 votes). This time out, Harpool earned almost 27,000 votes -- but Champion increased her vote total from 2004 by more than 8,000.
In local state rep races, Jamie Schoolcraft and James Owen did not win. Nancy Hagan ran a better-than-expected showing but still lost by 10 points.
Charlie Norr won a northside state rep's seat, but let's put it in perspective. Norr won with about 4,600 votes. By comparison, Tonya Cunningham suffered the greatest defeat among Dems in other state rep races -- and she drew 4,800 votes. The Democrats own north Springfield, but turnout there was terrible, less than half of the Hagan-Charlie Denison dust-up.
Of course, Dems did pick up one state representative's seat in Springfield, and that's better than a total blank.
Off to crunch some numbers and analyze. Statewide, stem cell looks like it's squeaking back. The tobacco tax looks less likely to resurrect. Minimum wage will probably pass with 80 percent of the vote.
6:30 p.m.
Early returns from Kentucky and Indiana offer a mixed bag, but signs are clear that there will be no cakewalk, especially for Republicans. In Indiana, incumbent Republican congressman John Hostettler (waltzed in during the 1994 GOP takeover) is getting crushed, 70-30. His sister was his campaign manager. Nice job, kids.
This afternoon, CNN broke programming in "The Situation Room" to let us know that Britney Spears has kicked her husband to the curb. Nothing more needs to be said about the states of American politics and media.
Local Dems are holding their watch party at the Clarion Hotel. We were there in 2002, when the party quickly became a wake. A changed atmosphere seems to be in the air.
Local bloggers are gathered at the Patton Alley Pub, churning out analysis and otherwise typing the good fight. Find the stuff on Rhetorica's Springfield Citizen-Press site.
===
Voted earlier and not often. Heavy turnout in Greene County. The county clerk says turnout could top 50 percent, maybe even hit 55 percent before the polls close at 7 p.m. Translation, please.
Off-year elections are the equivalent of the opening act at a concert. Could be good, could knock your socks off, but the crowd is there for the headliner -- in this case, the presidential election cycle.
In November 2004, 68.5 percent of registered voters in Greene County -- 126,258 people -- cast ballots. That's the power of a presidential election.
Two years before that, in November 2002, turnout was 47.74 percent. That's 84,548 voters. And that was a strong off-year showing.
The off-year election of 1998 -- the Clinton scandal was all the buzz -- drew only 41.57 percent of registered voters, or 67,598 people.
Are people more interested in politics this year than in 2002 or 1998? Yes. Lingering wars tend to draw out the activist in many otherwise docile people.
Does that mean Democrats are free and clear to celebrate? No more than they were in 2004, when so many were certain that John Kerry would win the White House.
As of August 2006, there were 180,071 registered voters in Greene County. Leaving that number static, a 55-percent turnout means more than 99,000 voters -- more than triple the primary turnout.
Stem-cell has cracked a million and is up by more than 25,000 votes (about 10,000 more people voted against stem-cell initiative than voted for Talent). Tobacco tax is dead. Minimum-wage increase has 76-percent approval. McCaskill and Montee both crack the million-vote mark.
2:00 a.m.
At this rate it looks like Democrats may well retake the U.S. Senate (McCaskill wins, Webb holds on in Virginia, Tester wins in Montana). Freepers get angry while DUers gloat about McCaskill.
Susan Montee, the new Missouri auditor, is quite the fresh deal. She's outdrawing McCaskill by more than 35,000 votes.
One more thing about the Greene County statehouse races. Each state rep's district in Missouri covers about 34,000 people. The two districts now belonging to Democrats -- Sara Lampe's 138th and Charlie Norr's 137th -- had the two lowest vote tallies in the county.
In the 137th, a total of 8,166 votes were cast.
In the 135th, Charlie Denison got 9,864 votes. In the 139th, Shane Schoeller got 8,379 votes. In the 140th, Bob Dixon tallied 8,952 votes.
The good side for Greene County Democrats: Three of their four defeated candidates for the Missouri House still earned more than 40 percent of the vote.
The problem for local Democrats: Their strongholds ain't so strong when it comes to voting. A devoted campaign worker was walking the northside late Tuesday, knocking on doors to get people out to vote before the polls closed at 7 p.m. A surprising, and disheartening, number of people said thanks, but no. On their lawns were signs for Democratic candidates.
1:30 a.m.
McCaskill wins.
1:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8
McCaskill is ahead by about 35,000 votes now. More than 3,300 reporting precincts, with another 400 to go. Stem-cell initiative has pulled ahead by more than 10,000 votes.
Roy Blunt has to look at Tuesday with pause. Two years ago, local Dems spend a quarter-million dollars and ran a credible "name" candidate in Jim Newberry. Blunt won Greene County, 65-33. This time out, Jack Truman ran (despite the wishes of official Dems). Truman dabbles in porn production and lives in Lamar. Randy Turner at The Turner Report has been following this story since since last March, and it's a hoot.
With virtually no funding and absolutely no credibility, Truman bested Newberry's high-water mark in Greene County by a point-and-a-half. Truman didn't matter; it was Blunt's weakness. He was held to 62 percent in Greene County. A buttload of votes, sure, but:
•In 1998 he got 71 percent of the vote.
•In 2000 it was 70 percent.
•In 2002, 72 percent.
•Being held to 65 percent in 2004 was considered a remarkable accomplishment for Democrats.
The three-point drop in Greene County that Blunt experienced on Tuesday shows the fervency of anti-GOP sentiment across the country. A red-drenched county like Greene had a significant drop in support for a powerful, popular Republican congressman. In a more moderate political environment, a guy like Blunt could have been red meat for hungry Democrats.
The 7th District numbers are equally blunt for Blunt. Two years ago he trounced Newberry, 70-28. This time out, a no-name gained three while Blunt lost four (66-31). He also lost his majority whip's job. Blunt has never served in the minority, having come to Congress in 1997. His mentor, Tom DeLay, is gone, and the Dems have captured DeLay's old seat. Does Blunt bide his time and hope the Missouri GOP dream scenario comes true? It goes this way: Reliable but aging warhorse Kit Bond retires. Gov. Matt Blunt appoints Roy "Dad" Blunt as Senator. Governor leaves his icky Jeff City job and runs for Dad's old seat in Congress. A dynasty is preserved.
Observation: The national Republicans may have taken a smacking on Tuesday, but the Missouri GOP is a machine like few others, especially when it comes to last-minute negative mailings.
11:50 p.m.
At this late stage, Claire McCaskill is still behind by 45,000 votes, but Jim Talent's lead is shrinking. McCaskill drew 42.5 percent of the vote in Greene County -- a full two points better than expected, and above the alleged threshold for keeping Republicans safe in statewide elections.
Locally, Democrats did not do as well as expected. While Sara Lampoe easily trounced Steve Helms, Doug Harpool lost to Norma Champion in the state senate race. An aside about that senate race: It is a testament to the GOP's ability to churn out the vote. Four years ago, Champion garnered 25,900 votes to defeat Craig Hosmer (he drew 24,400 votes). This time out, Harpool earned almost 27,000 votes -- but Champion increased her vote total from 2004 by more than 8,000.
In local state rep races, Jamie Schoolcraft and James Owen did not win. Nancy Hagan ran a better-than-expected showing but still lost by 10 points.
Charlie Norr won a northside state rep's seat, but let's put it in perspective. Norr won with about 4,600 votes. By comparison, Tonya Cunningham suffered the greatest defeat among Dems in other state rep races -- and she drew 4,800 votes. The Democrats own north Springfield, but turnout there was terrible, less than half of the Hagan-Charlie Denison dust-up.
Of course, Dems did pick up one state representative's seat in Springfield, and that's better than a total blank.
Off to crunch some numbers and analyze. Statewide, stem cell looks like it's squeaking back. The tobacco tax looks less likely to resurrect. Minimum wage will probably pass with 80 percent of the vote.
6:30 p.m.
Early returns from Kentucky and Indiana offer a mixed bag, but signs are clear that there will be no cakewalk, especially for Republicans. In Indiana, incumbent Republican congressman John Hostettler (waltzed in during the 1994 GOP takeover) is getting crushed, 70-30. His sister was his campaign manager. Nice job, kids.
This afternoon, CNN broke programming in "The Situation Room" to let us know that Britney Spears has kicked her husband to the curb. Nothing more needs to be said about the states of American politics and media.
Local Dems are holding their watch party at the Clarion Hotel. We were there in 2002, when the party quickly became a wake. A changed atmosphere seems to be in the air.
Local bloggers are gathered at the Patton Alley Pub, churning out analysis and otherwise typing the good fight. Find the stuff on Rhetorica's Springfield Citizen-Press site.
===
Voted earlier and not often. Heavy turnout in Greene County. The county clerk says turnout could top 50 percent, maybe even hit 55 percent before the polls close at 7 p.m. Translation, please.
Off-year elections are the equivalent of the opening act at a concert. Could be good, could knock your socks off, but the crowd is there for the headliner -- in this case, the presidential election cycle.
In November 2004, 68.5 percent of registered voters in Greene County -- 126,258 people -- cast ballots. That's the power of a presidential election.
Two years before that, in November 2002, turnout was 47.74 percent. That's 84,548 voters. And that was a strong off-year showing.
The off-year election of 1998 -- the Clinton scandal was all the buzz -- drew only 41.57 percent of registered voters, or 67,598 people.
Are people more interested in politics this year than in 2002 or 1998? Yes. Lingering wars tend to draw out the activist in many otherwise docile people.
Does that mean Democrats are free and clear to celebrate? No more than they were in 2004, when so many were certain that John Kerry would win the White House.
As of August 2006, there were 180,071 registered voters in Greene County. Leaving that number static, a 55-percent turnout means more than 99,000 voters -- more than triple the primary turnout.
Monday, November 06, 2006
ELECTION PREDICTIONS
How many seats will Democrats pick up in the U.S. House of Representatives?
How many new Democrats will be in the U.S. Senate? Enough to regain control of that club?
Our best guesses, based on too much reading:
•House goes to the Dems, 235-200.
•Senate splits 50-50. Claire McCaskill wins, 51-48. She gets 40.2 percent of the vote in Greene County.
In state issues:
•Missouri's Amendment 2 -- the stem-cell issue -- passes, 54-46.
•Amendment 3, the smoking tax, wins approval with a similar margin.
•The minimum-wage increase passes with 63 percent of the vote.
Your turn.
How many new Democrats will be in the U.S. Senate? Enough to regain control of that club?
Our best guesses, based on too much reading:
•House goes to the Dems, 235-200.
•Senate splits 50-50. Claire McCaskill wins, 51-48. She gets 40.2 percent of the vote in Greene County.
In state issues:
•Missouri's Amendment 2 -- the stem-cell issue -- passes, 54-46.
•Amendment 3, the smoking tax, wins approval with a similar margin.
•The minimum-wage increase passes with 63 percent of the vote.
Your turn.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
THE 23RD HOUR
No time and all the time in the world left before Tuesday's election. We chatted/debated with a Nancy Hagan door-knocker on Saturday. Her counterparts in both major parties were doing likewise all weekend. Lit drops. Phone banks. Official work.
The mailbox is full of literature. Republicans have a clear money advantage; how else to explain the six lit cards we've received from the Missouri Republican Party? Every piece claimed Democrats would raise taxes and go nutballs on spending.
(The funniest GOP card said taxes and spending are out of control. Pardon us, but who's running the government these days? When one party rules the house, senate and executive on both the state and national level, that party owns the cake.)
An automated phone call comes from John Ashcroft, who insists Jim Talent is the pro-life candidate. Glad to hear the former Missouri governor and U.S. attorney general is adjusting to life as a telemarketer.
Official busywork leading to Monday, when the calls and cards will increase. Expect amplified cussing and cordless phone destruction in some households.
But plenty of unofficial tasks are being done on behalf of candidates for public office.
•Granny Geek confirms that Hagan, a candidate for state representative, has hired private security because of "disturbing" phone calls.
•Someone ran over the signs in our yard for Doug Harpool and Dave Coonrod.
•Others report having signs stolen or uprooted from their yards.
No one can, or should, be surprised by the hoodlums. Punks like them are a dime a dozen. And that's suggested retail.
The mailbox is full of literature. Republicans have a clear money advantage; how else to explain the six lit cards we've received from the Missouri Republican Party? Every piece claimed Democrats would raise taxes and go nutballs on spending.
(The funniest GOP card said taxes and spending are out of control. Pardon us, but who's running the government these days? When one party rules the house, senate and executive on both the state and national level, that party owns the cake.)
An automated phone call comes from John Ashcroft, who insists Jim Talent is the pro-life candidate. Glad to hear the former Missouri governor and U.S. attorney general is adjusting to life as a telemarketer.
Official busywork leading to Monday, when the calls and cards will increase. Expect amplified cussing and cordless phone destruction in some households.
But plenty of unofficial tasks are being done on behalf of candidates for public office.
•Granny Geek confirms that Hagan, a candidate for state representative, has hired private security because of "disturbing" phone calls.
•Someone ran over the signs in our yard for Doug Harpool and Dave Coonrod.
•Others report having signs stolen or uprooted from their yards.
No one can, or should, be surprised by the hoodlums. Punks like them are a dime a dozen. And that's suggested retail.
FINGERPRINTS FOR FOOD
The school district in Hope, Calif., wants to quit using paper and pen to figure out how many students eat lunch in the cafeteria. The Associated Press reports:
The Hope Elementary School District has notified parents that, beginning this month, students at Monte Vista, Vieja Valley and Hope elementary schools will press an index finger to a scanner before buying cafeteria food.
The scan will call up the student's name and student ID, teacher's name and how much the student owes, since some receive government assistance for food.
It is meant to speed up cafeteria lines. ...
Currently, the information is written on paper and transferred to computer so reports can be compiled and sent to the state and federal governments, which reimburse school districts for the subsidized lunches served.
JUST IN TIME FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS
Got an extra $200,000 stuffed in the mattress? Samsung has something for you. TechEBlog explains:
Samsung has partnered with Korea University to develop a machine-gun equipped sentry robot, which consists of "two cameras: one for day-time and one for infrared night vision, zooming capabilities, a speaker for notifying the intruder, sophisticated pattern recognition to detect the difference between humans/trees, and a 5.5mm machine-gun."
Friday, November 03, 2006
THIS, THAT, TESS
Our cousin Tess -- such a lovely one -- celebrated a birthday on Friday. A highlight for her, for sure, and also for us. It doesn't have anything to do with politics. Like time-addled punks on goofballs we careen, eschewing the "years" part to shout: "Four more days!" Not even that, anymore. Three more days in 12 more minutes.
Happy Saturday to you. TV and radio will be awash in political ads; we've heard more than one story about candidates and causes outbidding each other to buy what little prime eyeball time remains on the network affiliates. Some will spend more than $250 a second to get their message out. And they say drugs are overpriced.
It shouldn't be this way, of course, but our not-so-inner cynic is in bloom. For American politics, it's SNAFU. The only possible repair is a mighty vote. The cynic shouts: Never happen. His Polyanna yin replies: A girl can dream, can't she?
Happy Saturday to you. TV and radio will be awash in political ads; we've heard more than one story about candidates and causes outbidding each other to buy what little prime eyeball time remains on the network affiliates. Some will spend more than $250 a second to get their message out. And they say drugs are overpriced.
It shouldn't be this way, of course, but our not-so-inner cynic is in bloom. For American politics, it's SNAFU. The only possible repair is a mighty vote. The cynic shouts: Never happen. His Polyanna yin replies: A girl can dream, can't she?
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
TEEN GETS WHAT HE WANTS
Roger Holyfield was 17. Walking in Jerseyville, Ill., Holyfield was confronted by police on Saturday. The teen was yelling: "I want Jesus." He was carrying a Bible.
Cops shot him with a Taser. Now he's dead. The Associated Press reports:
Cops shot him with a Taser. Now he's dead. The Associated Press reports:
In a statement obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, police in Jerseyville, about 40 miles north of St. Louis, said 17-year-old Roger Holyfield would not acknowledge officers who approached him and he continued yelling, "I want Jesus."
Police tried to calm the teen, but Holyfield became combative, according to the statement. Officers fired the stun gun at him after he ignored their warnings, then fired again when he continued struggling, police said.
Holyfield was flown to St. Louis' Cardinal Glennon Hospital after the confrontation Saturday; he died there Sunday, police said.
An autopsy was planned for Tuesday.
The statement expressed sympathy to Holyfield's family but said city and police officials would not discuss the matter further.
Calls Tuesday to Jerseyville Police Chief Brad Blackorby were not immediately returned. The department has been using stun guns for about five months, according to the statement.
SIGN-STEALING PUNKS
We happen to support Amendment 2, the stem-cell research issue on the Missouri ballot. If you oppose it, good for you; just don't start with the false talking points about how this is cloning and we're all going to hell.
And whatever you do, don't go stealing signs. In Kansas City, an anti-2 homeowner is fed up with the tomfoolery. KMBC reports:
It is Halloween. Political yard signs will succumb to tricks. Treat yourself to a few straight pins through the top of your signs and see if that doesn't stop the snatchers.
And whatever you do, don't go stealing signs. In Kansas City, an anti-2 homeowner is fed up with the tomfoolery. KMBC reports:
Whether it was a teenage prank or a political ploy, homeowner Shaun Jones videotaped someone taking campaign signs from his front yard on Northwest 87th Terrace early Monday morning.
"That's the only one they bothered," Jones told KMBC's Natalie Moultrie.
The video showed a group taking all 11 of his "Vote No on Amendment 2" signs.
"What have I done other than say this is what I feel, what I believe and how I'm going to vote?" Jones said.
Jones said it is the second time in a week someone has taken his signs. After the first sign disappeared, Jones set up his surveillance camera.
"It's kind of humorous. Part of me wanted to catch them and say, 'Hey, stop acting childish, vote the way you want to vote,'" Jones said.
But what you can't see on the tape is that whoever took the signs also decorated Jones' front tree with toilet paper and knocked over a flower pot on the front porch, Moultrie reported.
Jones said that other "vote no" signs in his neighborhood disappeared overnight as well.
"It was a calculated effort. They came to canvass the neighborhood and take signs away from people who want to speak out about an issue," Jones said.
Jones has replaced the stolen signs.
"I didn't want them to take my signs. I want to be able to vote and speak out this way. I feel like that's been taken away from me," Jones said.
Jones said he is giving a copy of his surveillance tape to police since taking political signs from someone's front yard is considered stealing personal property.
It is Halloween. Political yard signs will succumb to tricks. Treat yourself to a few straight pins through the top of your signs and see if that doesn't stop the snatchers.
Monday, October 30, 2006
NOT FADE AWAY
The newspaper industry continues to wither. Editor & Publisher has the latest circulation figures from the nation's 25-biggest dailies:
USA Today: 2,269509, (1.3%)
The Wall Street Journal: 2,043235, (1.9%)
The New York Times: 1,086,798, (3.5%)
Los Angeles Times: 775,766, (8.0%)
The New York Post: 704,011, 5.3%
Daily News, New York: 693,382, 1.0%
The Washington Post: 656,297, (3.3%)
Chicago Tribune: 576,132, (1.7%)
Houston Chronicle: 508,097, (3.6%)
Newsday: 413,579, (4.9%)
The Arizona Republic, Phoenix: 397,294, (2.5%)
The Boston Globe: 386,415, (6.7%)
The Star-Ledger, Newark, N.J.: 378,100, (5.5%)
San Francisco Chronicle: 373,805, (5.3%)
The Star Tribune, Minneapolis: 358,887, (4.1%)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 350,157, (3.4%)
The Plain Dealer, Cleveland: 336,939, (0.6%)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: 330,622, (7.5%)
Detroit Free Press: 328,628, (3.6%)
The Oregonian, Portland: 310,803, (6.8%)
The San Diego Union-Tribune: 304,334, (3.1%)
St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times: 288,676, (3.2%)
The Orange County (Calif.) Register: 287,204, (3.7%)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 276,588, 0.6%
The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee: 273,609, (5.4%)
ST. LOUIS DEFEATS DETROIT
Not only in the World Series, but in the category of Most Dangerous City in America. The Journal Gazette reports:
Scott Morgan, president of Morgan Quitno Press, a private research and publishing company specializing in state and city reference books, said he was not surprised to see St. Louis top the list, since it has been among the 10 most dangerous cities for years.
Morgan said the study looks at crime only within St. Louis city limits, with a population of about 330,000. It doesn't take into account the suburbs in St. Louis County, which has roughly 980,000 residents.
The safest city in 2005 was Brick, N.J., population about 78,000, followed by Amherst, N.Y., and Mission Viejo, Calif. The second most dangerous city was Detroit, followed by Flint, Mich., and Compton, Calif.
Friday, October 27, 2006
CLEARING THE DESKTOP
Figuratively speaking. Literally, it's still a mess. Immediately in front of us, there's a twist-tie, a Code Red bottle cap and a soap dish. Every one of these things is not like the other, and none of them have anything to do with the computer.
Friday marked the debut of fifth episode of DougTV, the 'net-exclusive entertainment arm of the Doug Harpool campaign (we'd call it "edutainment," but that's way too Papa G). The vids are all posted on YouTube. Here's the series, from first to latest:
DougTV 1
"Doug in 100 Seconds"
DougTV 2
"Nip It"
DougTV 3
"Just the Facts, Ma'am"
DougTV 4
"Bully Puppet"
DougTV 5
"She's Against It"
Our compilation blog, Act Your Old Age, has also been updated with the DougTV vids.
Friday marked the debut of fifth episode of DougTV, the 'net-exclusive entertainment arm of the Doug Harpool campaign (we'd call it "edutainment," but that's way too Papa G). The vids are all posted on YouTube. Here's the series, from first to latest:
DougTV 1
"Doug in 100 Seconds"
DougTV 2
"Nip It"
DougTV 3
"Just the Facts, Ma'am"
DougTV 4
"Bully Puppet"
DougTV 5
"She's Against It"
Our compilation blog, Act Your Old Age, has also been updated with the DougTV vids.
HEY BLOGGA BLOGGA BLOGGA
The Unusual Suspects, aka the local bloggers, have plans for the night of Nov. 7. Let Andy Cline from Rhetorica explain:
It may be the best media coverage you'll eyeball all night.
Speaking of politics and eyeballs, here's the latest episode of DougTV.
A mass live-blogging event from the Patton Alley Pub. Let's cover the election and local issues as the returns come in.
If you're interested in doing this, please let me know asap, and I'll try to set up a special spot (perhaps the stage area) with the pub owner. Plus, if enough of you will do it, I'll bet we could attract a little media attention. We are a diverse group of smart people. Let's make the most of it!
BIG AND TASTY is all over that like a stack of peanut butter pancakes
It may be the best media coverage you'll eyeball all night.
Speaking of politics and eyeballs, here's the latest episode of DougTV.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
CHAMPION VS. HARPOOL
The Great Debate comes Thursday -- or so goes the hype from Glendale High School, where Norma Champion and Doug Harpool are scheduled to meet in what's being billed as a "debate" between the candidates for Springfield's seat in the Missouri Senate.
As KY3's Dave Catanese reports in his Political Notebook, Champion says she won't "debate" Harpool, but will appear at forums where he's also been invited.
Champion also admits to Catanese that she knows she's fudging facts in her "positive" television ad:
Maybe this explains why Champion agreed to Thursday's "debate." She's walking in with the questions in her pocket.
As KY3's Dave Catanese reports in his Political Notebook, Champion says she won't "debate" Harpool, but will appear at forums where he's also been invited.
Champion also admits to Catanese that she knows she's fudging facts in her "positive" television ad:
A current Champion ad notes she helped bring $3.9 million dollars in new money to Springfield Public Schools. But in our interview, Champion said she believed the number was actually $2.9 million.
Maybe this explains why Champion agreed to Thursday's "debate." She's walking in with the questions in her pocket.
MAN KILLED BY BEER KEG
Dude, not cool. The News-Times from Danbury explains:
A 22-year-old local man was killed and seven others injured early Sunday morning in an explosion that erupted after a partygoer at a pig roast tossed a beer keg into a fire barrel.
Witnesses said the 3:13 a.m. explosion that killed Sean Caselli reverberated as far as a mile or more away from the Aspetuck Ridge Road festivities.
"It was an unbelievable explosion,'' said New Milford High School hockey coach and neighbor Robert Greco, a physician's assistant who rushed to the scene to offer assistance. "It rattled the street.''
Caselli, who lived with his family on North Valley Road about a mile away, died after being struck by a piece of flying metal in the neck, police said.
LAND OF LINKING
Two or three bullets to whet your appetite:
•Norma Champion obviously wanted to be anyplace but the Library Center on Tuesday night. The League of Women Voters held a forum; Champion showed up but clearly didn't enjoy the experience of answering questions. See what happened when the senator was asked a question about campaign contribution limits. She says she didn't support lifting the limits, but she certainly voted for the bill that did what she says she doesn't support.
•Morris James, the former news director of KTTS, has Radio Weird up and going. James is an old-school journalist; he actually believes in things like serving the public by providing news and information. Go figure.
•President Bush said this week that Democrats are "genetically disposed" to raise taxes. His view of science, exposed.
•Thursday is haircut day. About a foot of it going to Locks of Love. In theory, enough will remain to keep a ponytail. In theory.
•Norma Champion obviously wanted to be anyplace but the Library Center on Tuesday night. The League of Women Voters held a forum; Champion showed up but clearly didn't enjoy the experience of answering questions. See what happened when the senator was asked a question about campaign contribution limits. She says she didn't support lifting the limits, but she certainly voted for the bill that did what she says she doesn't support.
•Morris James, the former news director of KTTS, has Radio Weird up and going. James is an old-school journalist; he actually believes in things like serving the public by providing news and information. Go figure.
•President Bush said this week that Democrats are "genetically disposed" to raise taxes. His view of science, exposed.
•Thursday is haircut day. About a foot of it going to Locks of Love. In theory, enough will remain to keep a ponytail. In theory.
ROCK THE VOTE CONCERT
Mark the calendar, alert the media, all that. It'll happen Friday in downtown Springfield. Colin from Stim Magazine has the lowdown:
I heard once that Springfield is one of the few larger cities in the United States that is based around a town square. I can't confirm that, but keep it in mind when you're coming to watch Benefit of a Doubt, Sweetwater Abilene (I misspelled their name on the flier...and then proceeded to copy that info to the posters...sorry guys!), Attie Beck and the Real Rhymers Camp. We've also got some speakers coming; the exact speakers won't likely be announced until the day of the event, as we're still talking to various candidates and experts on different issues that are on the upcoming ballot. Did I mention this is all free? Yeah.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
Two weeks until Election Day. Dave Catanese at KY3 is filling his Political Notebook with goodies aplenty, including coverage of the Doug Harpool-Norma Champion race.
Meanwhile, the two candidates meet Tuesday evening at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters (beleagured, we sometimes refer to the group, because the work it does is underappreciated).
Champion and Harpool also meet this week in what's being billed as a debate. From the Springfield Public Schools:
Back soon with the usual madness. The League forum beckons.
Meanwhile, the two candidates meet Tuesday evening at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters (beleagured, we sometimes refer to the group, because the work it does is underappreciated).
Champion and Harpool also meet this week in what's being billed as a debate. From the Springfield Public Schools:
Glendale High School's political discussion club, Sons and Daughters of Liberty, will host a debate and panel discussion between state Senator Norma Champion and challenger Doug Harpool.
The event takes place from 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, in the Glendale library. Five club members will serve as panelists; one of them will moderate the debate.
Son's and Daughters of Liberty is a student political debate club created in 2005.
The event "is educational but also seriously political," said Mike Snodgrass, who teaches advanced placement government and liberty and law honors classes at Glendale. "It's an important event for the candidates and students alike."
Back soon with the usual madness. The League forum beckons.
Friday, October 20, 2006
NEWS-LEADER: IT'S HARPOOL
Just a couple days ago we were marveling at the News-Leader's damning-by-faint-praise endorsement of Charlie Denison.
Just a couple minutes ago -- it's 4:30 a.m., by the way -- we hopped on to read the morning paper and discovered an editorial endorsement of Missouri Senate candidate Doug Harpool that is anything but faint.
The paper's endorsement of Harpool is coupled with a deconstruction of why Norma Champion is all wrong for the job. This about sums it up:
Just a couple minutes ago -- it's 4:30 a.m., by the way -- we hopped on to read the morning paper and discovered an editorial endorsement of Missouri Senate candidate Doug Harpool that is anything but faint.
The paper's endorsement of Harpool is coupled with a deconstruction of why Norma Champion is all wrong for the job. This about sums it up:
Champion has not become a leader in the Senate, not in the way we believe Harpool would. She doesn't have a handle on the issues like Harpool does. We were disappointed she refused to debate her opponent. "I didn't see any advantage to a debate for me," she told the News-Leader editorial board. The advantage should have been for voters to see and hear the candidates side by side.
If they had, we're sure that most would agree with us that while Champion is a wonderful person who has served her district well, Harpool is more qualified to represent the district in the Senate.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
THE NON-ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT
The News-Leader is endorsing candidates for the general election. Good. Local newspapers should use their editorial soapbox to pick the candidates the paper feels will best represent the public.
On Tuesday the News-Leader endorsed Rep. Roy Blunt for reelection -- no stunner, that, given the lack of a serious Democratic candidate for congressman of the 7th District.
But it's an editorial endorsement from last week that still has us nodding in admiration at the way Tony Messenger and Brian Lewis wield the knife.
The paper doubled-up on Friday, endorsing B.J. Marsh and Charlie Denison for reelection to the Missouri General Assembly in the 136th and 135th districts, respectively.
The paper gave a few kind words to Jim Owen, the Democratic challenger to Marsh:
On Tuesday the News-Leader endorsed Rep. Roy Blunt for reelection -- no stunner, that, given the lack of a serious Democratic candidate for congressman of the 7th District.
But it's an editorial endorsement from last week that still has us nodding in admiration at the way Tony Messenger and Brian Lewis wield the knife.
The paper doubled-up on Friday, endorsing B.J. Marsh and Charlie Denison for reelection to the Missouri General Assembly in the 136th and 135th districts, respectively.
The paper gave a few kind words to Jim Owen, the Democratic challenger to Marsh:
Owen, in particular, is a breath of fresh air. He knows the issues backward and forward. He has a conservative approach on many issues that fits his district well. We have no doubt he'd work hard for his constituents if elected.
[W]e believe that Marsh in particular, and Denison to a lesser extent, have earned the right to return to Jefferson City and represent their districts. In Marsh's case, it's his undying support of the Missouri State University name change and his ability to reach across party lines that earns him the nod. More than any other local elected official, Marsh deserves credit for pushing the name change even when it appeared to be a dead issue. He wasn't afraid to work with Democrats on the issue, and in today's Jefferson City climate, that's rare.
Monday, October 16, 2006
LIVE THREAD: SENATE DEBATE
Conclusion: McCaskill came off as more self-assured. Talent seemed almost too energetic in slamming his opponent.
No one scored a knockout, but only the foolish would have expected one. Both candidates know what they're doing.
McCaskill wins, narrowly, by coming across as rational. Talent loses by not knowing when to shut off his attack mode. First thing he needs to do in the post-debate bliss: Hunt down the person who applied his makeup. Tony Messenger looked more hale and hearty than Talent, and even Tony would acknowledge that's saying something.
Right after the debate -- a Talent ad attacking McCaskill! And after a couple of PSAs, a McCaskill ad attacking Talent! What a surprise!
Another perspective comes from Strannix, who also notes Talent's ghostly complexion.
Also check KY3's Political Notebook for more reaction from viewers.
8:52 p.m.
Closing statements. Talent says he's the change agent. McCaskill says she is. These are basically canned speeches -- long-form audio commercials with the talking points the pollsters says will work to peel away undecideds.
8:50 p.m.
Shelton to McCaskill: Social Security.
McCaskill: Best plan is to stop bad plan, runaway spending. No discipline to balance budget, she says. Need to stop runaway spending, privatization. "Wall Street has enough power."
Talent: SS is vital, great program, gotta protect it. Opposed to privatization. Raises broader issue about keeping faith to seniors. He veers into nursing-home abuse.
8:45 p.m.
Messengers asks about cable competition. Local versus more choice, where do you stand? Odd question, but probably will get fresh answers.
Talent: Locals need to be able to maintain revenue flow from cable companies. Doesn't mean munis should be cut out from fees.
McCaskill: Comes down on side of competition for consumer. "I believe in open markets." But big corporations in D.C. are consolidating, growing in power and influence. Have to fight for competition and to open markets.
Talent ridicules McCaskill for "conspiracy" thinking about corporations.
8:42 p.m.
Messenger asks McCaskill about Mexico. She says: "Not sure" if it's U.S. responsibility. Says Mexico not doing too bad because we're borrowing money from Mexico to subsidize "this mess" in Iraq. Tries not to look soft on immigration. First responsibility is to secure the border. Says she doesn't support amnesty for illegals.
Talent: "We need to deal fairly" with Mexico. Agrees with McCaskill -- the heaven failed to open to herald this moment. Strongly supports border fence. Says McCaskill opposed fence. Opposed to amnesty, "just gonna make the problem worse." Insists she did oppose amnesty, border fence.
McCaskill rebuttal: "I said a fence wasn't going to solve the problem, and it won't." Says Talent just keeps repeating "smears against me and my family ... because they don't have issues to talk about."
8:38 p.m.
Shelton asks Talent about environment -- global warming. Goody.
Talent: Yeah, I think global warming is a problem. Don't know how fast, don't know if humans are to blame, don't know what to do about it. Says burning ethanol, biodiesel will help. About to rip McCaskill for being against it, just watch. "My opponent opposed it." Yep, there it is. She took the "northeast line, the East Coast line." So that's where McCaskill gets her accent.
McCaskill: Global warming definitely a problem. Says Talent said "no one is sure if the Earth getting warmer is necessarily a bad thing." In 2005. Can't wait to hear his response. She says she was for ethanol in 1988, back before it was cool. Brings up subsidies for oil and Talent's ties to those companies.
8:35 p.m.
God bless Jerry Jacob. For the third time he's gently reminded both candidates to try to stick with the question given them. Next time he should pull a Hunter. We'd cheer.
Catanese asks about No Child Left Behind; McCaskill says she and Talent agree with the basic tenets, but then she says Talent is against Head Start, other popular programs for kids.
Talent: Education very important, obviously. Supported $2.2 billion in fed support for local schools. Says feds should enpower local districts. Always supported education increases, he says. Disturbed by NCLB red tape.
McCaskill: Look at Talent's record; he said private schools should be funded with public money.
8:29 p.m.
Catanese asks about wasteful government spending, big budget deficits. Can Talent name an earmark he'd kill for Missouri?
Talent: Doesn't answer. Pivots to cutting taxes, says revenue is way up and that the budget deficit isn't that big a deal. "We do need to eliminate wasteful spending," he says, but doesn't bring up any single program he thinks is wasteful.
McCaskill: Points out that Talent didn't answer the question. Says voters should go on auditor's website and see over 800 audits that expose wasteful spending in Missouri. Specifics, she says. For second time, brings up Talent "going to Washington 14 years ago."
In rebuttal, Talent brings up McCaskill and taxes, personal issues. Yikes.
8:25 p.m.
Shelton asks about McCaskill as a Catholic, her support for the stem-cell initiative (the Catholic Church is against it). Says she's prayed about it. But she seems to be missing a chance to talk stronger on her ability to disagree with her faith while still being faithful.
Talent: On the ballot issue, would create constitutional right to clone. "I'm not for that," he says, while maintaining he's for stem-cell research. Now calls her no friend of life, brings up her pro-choice stance.
McCaskill: Personally opposed to abortion. No support for partial-birth abortion. We need to come together and prevent abortions.
Observation: Talent had no problem answering how he'll vote on Missouri's stem-cell initiative. Why the problem with talking about the minimum wage proposal?
8:22 p.m.
Messenger: Do you believe Auditor McCaskill is a liar and a cheat, as a veteran claims in a Talent radio ad?
Talent: "No, I wouldn't have used those words." Talks about his record on veterans, says believes in "obligations of honor." Cites awards from veterans, says McCaskill has done nothing to vets worth recognizing.
McCaskill: He approved an ad that said that. How to clean things up if "we, as candidates, don't stop it?"
Our comment: There's a thread here that seems to work -- people are genuinely fed up with the amount of money being sunk into political campaigns. Between McCaskill and Talent, they've raised $16 million, and that doesn't include money from the national Dems and GOP pockets. Call it $30 million, all told. For what?
8:18 p.m.
McCaskill asks Talent (nice format touch, that): "As someone whose salary is paid by the taxpayers ... yes or no, how will you vote on the minimum wage proposal that you will be voting on in three weeks? Yes or no?"
Talent: An issue for the state's voters to decide. He doesn't take the bait. He should have. Pushes PLAY on the minimum-wage-will-hurt-small-business recording.
Talent asks McCaskill: We know your family owns 150 limited partnerships ... you own an off-shore tax shelter in Bermuda ... will you release your family's tax returns?"
McCaskill: This campaign is going to new lows. "Washington has changed Jim Talent more than he has changed Washington." Says family has released book of information on holdings. No tax sheltering that isn't part of the tax code. This is just about smear, she says. "We're better than that in Missouri ... I will not attack Senator Talent's family."
8:08 p.m.
Missy Shelton asks Talent about Iraq. Why aren't you advocating sending troops to Iran and North Korea?
Talent: Entire mission was to replace Saddam Hussein. Now replaced with democracy. S'all good. Criticizes McCaskill for being weak on national security. Didn't answer the question.
McCaskill: Man running government in Iraq leads a failed policy. Says U.S. has "tunnel vision" in Iraq and hasn't paid attention to Iran, North Korea. Uh-oh, now she's done it -- she says no nukes under Clinton Administration.
Talent: "Iraq is helping us," he insists. "Not sponsoring terrorism in region, not invading their neighbor." Once Iraq government can defend itself, all will be well.
Tony Messenger: Health care question. Talent supports legislation to pool small-biz money for better savings on health insurance.
McCaskill: Supports it, "a good idea." Says Talent hasn't gotten it passed in a GOP-controlled Congress. Reason, she says: Mandates for consumer rights that Republicans don't like. Can create insurance pool for small businesses while still protecting consumers (she mentions women trying to get mammograms). She proposes participating in federal program.
Talent: "She doesn't support" the bill. Equates it to farm coop. Savings of "10, 15, 20, 25 percent ... and it wouldn't cost consumers a dime." Wouldn't "cost anybody anything," he says in a special bit of hyperbole.
McCaskill rebuts: "I certainly support small businesses." Cites auditor job as proof she's independent. Whips out the "Talent voted for taxes" line. Yawner.
8:04 p.m.
Dave Catanese asks about Iraq. "Can you both agree that what you're saying, you'd like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq?" McCaskill answers first, criticizes Bush and his "preoccupation" with Iraq. "We need to change course," she says. She's got the majority of people on her side. Launches the two-year time limit for redeployment.
Talent: "We're not gonna win victories if we leave," he says. That's what McCaskill wants to do, her adds. "We need to finish the job ... and then come home with a victory in our pocket." He links McCaskill to "Howard Dean's disengagement plan." Clumsy line, old hat. Is Howard Dean (or Ken Mehlman) that important to the average voter?
McCaskill rebuttal: Evokes John Warner to say she's right and Talent is wrong. Nails Talent for not showing up for two-thirds of armed services committee meetings.
8 p.m.
Talent looks pasty under the lights. McCaskill looks fine. Someone get that pale boy a makeup artist!
Talent gets the chance to speak first. We don't mean to be shallow, but his complexion is uncomfortable. Richard Nixon looked shadowy in his first TV debate with John Kennedy, and that didn't turn out too well for Tricky Dick.
Talent is talking a bit fast. Reeled off his conservaive bona fides -- Alito yes, stem-cell no. Now he's ripping into McCaskill. "This election's about who's gonna change the system," Talent says.
McCaskill: Takes him on for attacking the opponent. Turns to the tack of wanting to change Washington. "It's a mess out there," she declares. Uses the "I" word -- independent -- to evoke Harry Truman. Then does what Talent does, and rips into her opponent.
These opening statements are mostly forgotten by debate's end, unless someone drools. Questions incoming from the Gang of Three.
7:57 p.m.
Just an aside, but this "Deal or No Deal" show is incredibly annoying. Almost as bad as the NBC promos for that new John Lithgow show.
7:54 p.m.
Monday night, Springfield, and Missouri's major-party candidates for U.S. Senate are holding a debate. Sponsored by KYTV, KSMU and the News-Leader, this rules-driven gabfest is especially important for both camps. Claire McCaskill needs a respectable showing in southwest Missouri; Talent has to keep his base from staying home on Election Day.
What the hell. We're going to live-blog this pup. Jerry Jacob is the moderator. Missy Shelton of KSMU, David Catanese of KYTV and Tony Messenger from Ye Olde News-Leader are armed with questions. Join in with your comments.
No one scored a knockout, but only the foolish would have expected one. Both candidates know what they're doing.
McCaskill wins, narrowly, by coming across as rational. Talent loses by not knowing when to shut off his attack mode. First thing he needs to do in the post-debate bliss: Hunt down the person who applied his makeup. Tony Messenger looked more hale and hearty than Talent, and even Tony would acknowledge that's saying something.
Right after the debate -- a Talent ad attacking McCaskill! And after a couple of PSAs, a McCaskill ad attacking Talent! What a surprise!
Another perspective comes from Strannix, who also notes Talent's ghostly complexion.
Also check KY3's Political Notebook for more reaction from viewers.
8:52 p.m.
Closing statements. Talent says he's the change agent. McCaskill says she is. These are basically canned speeches -- long-form audio commercials with the talking points the pollsters says will work to peel away undecideds.
8:50 p.m.
Shelton to McCaskill: Social Security.
McCaskill: Best plan is to stop bad plan, runaway spending. No discipline to balance budget, she says. Need to stop runaway spending, privatization. "Wall Street has enough power."
Talent: SS is vital, great program, gotta protect it. Opposed to privatization. Raises broader issue about keeping faith to seniors. He veers into nursing-home abuse.
8:45 p.m.
Messengers asks about cable competition. Local versus more choice, where do you stand? Odd question, but probably will get fresh answers.
Talent: Locals need to be able to maintain revenue flow from cable companies. Doesn't mean munis should be cut out from fees.
McCaskill: Comes down on side of competition for consumer. "I believe in open markets." But big corporations in D.C. are consolidating, growing in power and influence. Have to fight for competition and to open markets.
Talent ridicules McCaskill for "conspiracy" thinking about corporations.
8:42 p.m.
Messenger asks McCaskill about Mexico. She says: "Not sure" if it's U.S. responsibility. Says Mexico not doing too bad because we're borrowing money from Mexico to subsidize "this mess" in Iraq. Tries not to look soft on immigration. First responsibility is to secure the border. Says she doesn't support amnesty for illegals.
Talent: "We need to deal fairly" with Mexico. Agrees with McCaskill -- the heaven failed to open to herald this moment. Strongly supports border fence. Says McCaskill opposed fence. Opposed to amnesty, "just gonna make the problem worse." Insists she did oppose amnesty, border fence.
McCaskill rebuttal: "I said a fence wasn't going to solve the problem, and it won't." Says Talent just keeps repeating "smears against me and my family ... because they don't have issues to talk about."
8:38 p.m.
Shelton asks Talent about environment -- global warming. Goody.
Talent: Yeah, I think global warming is a problem. Don't know how fast, don't know if humans are to blame, don't know what to do about it. Says burning ethanol, biodiesel will help. About to rip McCaskill for being against it, just watch. "My opponent opposed it." Yep, there it is. She took the "northeast line, the East Coast line." So that's where McCaskill gets her accent.
McCaskill: Global warming definitely a problem. Says Talent said "no one is sure if the Earth getting warmer is necessarily a bad thing." In 2005. Can't wait to hear his response. She says she was for ethanol in 1988, back before it was cool. Brings up subsidies for oil and Talent's ties to those companies.
8:35 p.m.
God bless Jerry Jacob. For the third time he's gently reminded both candidates to try to stick with the question given them. Next time he should pull a Hunter. We'd cheer.
Catanese asks about No Child Left Behind; McCaskill says she and Talent agree with the basic tenets, but then she says Talent is against Head Start, other popular programs for kids.
Talent: Education very important, obviously. Supported $2.2 billion in fed support for local schools. Says feds should enpower local districts. Always supported education increases, he says. Disturbed by NCLB red tape.
McCaskill: Look at Talent's record; he said private schools should be funded with public money.
8:29 p.m.
Catanese asks about wasteful government spending, big budget deficits. Can Talent name an earmark he'd kill for Missouri?
Talent: Doesn't answer. Pivots to cutting taxes, says revenue is way up and that the budget deficit isn't that big a deal. "We do need to eliminate wasteful spending," he says, but doesn't bring up any single program he thinks is wasteful.
McCaskill: Points out that Talent didn't answer the question. Says voters should go on auditor's website and see over 800 audits that expose wasteful spending in Missouri. Specifics, she says. For second time, brings up Talent "going to Washington 14 years ago."
In rebuttal, Talent brings up McCaskill and taxes, personal issues. Yikes.
8:25 p.m.
Shelton asks about McCaskill as a Catholic, her support for the stem-cell initiative (the Catholic Church is against it). Says she's prayed about it. But she seems to be missing a chance to talk stronger on her ability to disagree with her faith while still being faithful.
Talent: On the ballot issue, would create constitutional right to clone. "I'm not for that," he says, while maintaining he's for stem-cell research. Now calls her no friend of life, brings up her pro-choice stance.
McCaskill: Personally opposed to abortion. No support for partial-birth abortion. We need to come together and prevent abortions.
Observation: Talent had no problem answering how he'll vote on Missouri's stem-cell initiative. Why the problem with talking about the minimum wage proposal?
8:22 p.m.
Messenger: Do you believe Auditor McCaskill is a liar and a cheat, as a veteran claims in a Talent radio ad?
Talent: "No, I wouldn't have used those words." Talks about his record on veterans, says believes in "obligations of honor." Cites awards from veterans, says McCaskill has done nothing to vets worth recognizing.
McCaskill: He approved an ad that said that. How to clean things up if "we, as candidates, don't stop it?"
Our comment: There's a thread here that seems to work -- people are genuinely fed up with the amount of money being sunk into political campaigns. Between McCaskill and Talent, they've raised $16 million, and that doesn't include money from the national Dems and GOP pockets. Call it $30 million, all told. For what?
8:18 p.m.
McCaskill asks Talent (nice format touch, that): "As someone whose salary is paid by the taxpayers ... yes or no, how will you vote on the minimum wage proposal that you will be voting on in three weeks? Yes or no?"
Talent: An issue for the state's voters to decide. He doesn't take the bait. He should have. Pushes PLAY on the minimum-wage-will-hurt-small-business recording.
Talent asks McCaskill: We know your family owns 150 limited partnerships ... you own an off-shore tax shelter in Bermuda ... will you release your family's tax returns?"
McCaskill: This campaign is going to new lows. "Washington has changed Jim Talent more than he has changed Washington." Says family has released book of information on holdings. No tax sheltering that isn't part of the tax code. This is just about smear, she says. "We're better than that in Missouri ... I will not attack Senator Talent's family."
8:08 p.m.
Missy Shelton asks Talent about Iraq. Why aren't you advocating sending troops to Iran and North Korea?
Talent: Entire mission was to replace Saddam Hussein. Now replaced with democracy. S'all good. Criticizes McCaskill for being weak on national security. Didn't answer the question.
McCaskill: Man running government in Iraq leads a failed policy. Says U.S. has "tunnel vision" in Iraq and hasn't paid attention to Iran, North Korea. Uh-oh, now she's done it -- she says no nukes under Clinton Administration.
Talent: "Iraq is helping us," he insists. "Not sponsoring terrorism in region, not invading their neighbor." Once Iraq government can defend itself, all will be well.
Tony Messenger: Health care question. Talent supports legislation to pool small-biz money for better savings on health insurance.
McCaskill: Supports it, "a good idea." Says Talent hasn't gotten it passed in a GOP-controlled Congress. Reason, she says: Mandates for consumer rights that Republicans don't like. Can create insurance pool for small businesses while still protecting consumers (she mentions women trying to get mammograms). She proposes participating in federal program.
Talent: "She doesn't support" the bill. Equates it to farm coop. Savings of "10, 15, 20, 25 percent ... and it wouldn't cost consumers a dime." Wouldn't "cost anybody anything," he says in a special bit of hyperbole.
McCaskill rebuts: "I certainly support small businesses." Cites auditor job as proof she's independent. Whips out the "Talent voted for taxes" line. Yawner.
8:04 p.m.
Dave Catanese asks about Iraq. "Can you both agree that what you're saying, you'd like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq?" McCaskill answers first, criticizes Bush and his "preoccupation" with Iraq. "We need to change course," she says. She's got the majority of people on her side. Launches the two-year time limit for redeployment.
Talent: "We're not gonna win victories if we leave," he says. That's what McCaskill wants to do, her adds. "We need to finish the job ... and then come home with a victory in our pocket." He links McCaskill to "Howard Dean's disengagement plan." Clumsy line, old hat. Is Howard Dean (or Ken Mehlman) that important to the average voter?
McCaskill rebuttal: Evokes John Warner to say she's right and Talent is wrong. Nails Talent for not showing up for two-thirds of armed services committee meetings.
8 p.m.
Talent looks pasty under the lights. McCaskill looks fine. Someone get that pale boy a makeup artist!
Talent gets the chance to speak first. We don't mean to be shallow, but his complexion is uncomfortable. Richard Nixon looked shadowy in his first TV debate with John Kennedy, and that didn't turn out too well for Tricky Dick.
Talent is talking a bit fast. Reeled off his conservaive bona fides -- Alito yes, stem-cell no. Now he's ripping into McCaskill. "This election's about who's gonna change the system," Talent says.
McCaskill: Takes him on for attacking the opponent. Turns to the tack of wanting to change Washington. "It's a mess out there," she declares. Uses the "I" word -- independent -- to evoke Harry Truman. Then does what Talent does, and rips into her opponent.
These opening statements are mostly forgotten by debate's end, unless someone drools. Questions incoming from the Gang of Three.
7:57 p.m.
Just an aside, but this "Deal or No Deal" show is incredibly annoying. Almost as bad as the NBC promos for that new John Lithgow show.
7:54 p.m.
Monday night, Springfield, and Missouri's major-party candidates for U.S. Senate are holding a debate. Sponsored by KYTV, KSMU and the News-Leader, this rules-driven gabfest is especially important for both camps. Claire McCaskill needs a respectable showing in southwest Missouri; Talent has to keep his base from staying home on Election Day.
What the hell. We're going to live-blog this pup. Jerry Jacob is the moderator. Missy Shelton of KSMU, David Catanese of KYTV and Tony Messenger from Ye Olde News-Leader are armed with questions. Join in with your comments.
BACK FROM THE LIVING DEAD
Where in hell are we, anyway? Last we glanced up it was Thursday and Freddy Fender was still alive but we really thought he'd already died, so news of his passing, while sad, was not unexpected.
We've been past our eyeballs in hockey and politics, not necessarily in that order. Sorry for the slim pickings of the past few days. Soon we will catch up on postings. And sleep. At least the former.
For now we leave you with this: As Halloween approaches and the inner egg-thrower in you yearns to be free of the yoke, keep this image in mind.
We've been past our eyeballs in hockey and politics, not necessarily in that order. Sorry for the slim pickings of the past few days. Soon we will catch up on postings. And sleep. At least the former.
For now we leave you with this: As Halloween approaches and the inner egg-thrower in you yearns to be free of the yoke, keep this image in mind.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
MARK WARNER SAYS NO
The Virginia governor became a darling to some local Democrats last April, when he headlined Jackson Days in Springfield. Much speculation then that he was running for president, given his "Forward Together" PAC and his trip to Missouri.
Much speculation now that Warner will not run for president in 2008. The Associated Press reports that two Democratic sources say Warner has decided to take a pass and will announce as much in a news conference. Reason? "Not immediately known," AP reports. Therein lies the real story.
Much speculation now that Warner will not run for president in 2008. The Associated Press reports that two Democratic sources say Warner has decided to take a pass and will announce as much in a news conference. Reason? "Not immediately known," AP reports. Therein lies the real story.
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