All of us here at MoPo would like to welcome back Representative Talboy and his girlfriend.

  We are glad you didn't die.   

MOTO wonders if lobbyists paid for Talboy's swimming lessons or EMT training? 

In a news/blog world where the 'scoop' is so important, it makes me chuckle that the Missouri Political News Service today has a post commenting on an editorial from McClellen which was commenting on an article by Peterson.

Of course now we have a post commenting about the post about the editorial about the article.

Ironic, don't you think? 

This blog lately lacks content. I hope readers will not stray too far away. The recent actions by politicians and their advisors bore me and leaves me often without words. I see so much chatter on other political blogs, and I have nothing new to add, so like mother suggested, I say nothing at all.

Not that long ago the infidelity of the Republican Party in this state was laughable, but no one went to jail. Democrats, however, upped the ante, and won that battle. We've got three already in the papers, and three to six more in the wings. I'd like to blame the 'city machine' for the problems, but the truth is that two out of three are not a product of St. Louis City politics. They are a product of their own self-serving poor judgment. And I think that's what will see in the next round.

On a national level the Republicans are acting like children. Screaming down Congresspeople at Town Hall meetings? That's how the government operates in non-civilized nations. As if sucking support from Public Schools and screaming half-truths on talk radio wasn't enough, now you've officially stuck your axe in the heart of the system.

But the truth is that Democrats gave them the opportunity. Democrats are weak. They didn't take control. They can pass healthcare. They can pass reasonable security and environmental measures. They can preside over a Town Hall Meeting. But they don't.

So we are not on hiatus at MoPo, we're just watching, listening, thinking, waiting, hoping, and crying when we laugh. Integrity in Politics today is dead.

Yesterday's post was incorrect. Arch City has new numbers.

Drebes is now saying only 132 votes are to be counted. 

Why do I think Democrats will somehow fuck this up?

MOTO notes that the 'Slay' Committeeman is the Mayor's father.

The PoliFix has a rundown today of potential candidates.

MOTO sees Keaveny as having the advantage of...not being too far out there. 

NOTE:  MOTO asks, WASB? (What about Steve Brown?)

I'm told that the Democratic Committee people will vote to select the Democratic nominee. The 4th, of course, is a strong Democratic Seat. That doesn't mean another party or an independent couldn't garner enough votes with Name ID vs. Party Votes.

Arch City says, "here is the breakdown of how many votes each Democratic committeeperson will have when they meet to decide the Democratic nominee for the special election." 

Ward      CommitteePerson  Votes                                                                                      144 total votes.  

MJ is ALIVE!

(and something about Senator Jeff Smith)

This is bad.

No question about it.  Physical violence, over any issue or belief, in this state and in this country is bad. 

When I first looked a videos from these 'Tea Party' people online today, I could not believe that this was all happening in our state. 

The opposition is so ignorant that they cannot peacefully protest.  These people are the foundation of the Republican Party?  How embarassing. 

I don't have any blind faith in Russ Carnahan, but I appreciate that he attended his own town hall forum. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how Claire McCaskill deals with what is expected to be the same nonsensical attendees. 

Online editors (ie: bloggers) aren't getting much readership lately. It's summer, and let's face it, no one fucking cares about politics right now.  So these poorly paid, over celebrated "journalists" are forced into using semi-gorilla tactics to get someone, anyone, to head over to their site.

Enter, the ONLINE POLL.

Today, Jason Rosenbaum, actaully a good reporter, relies on the tactic, asking the question, "Which candidate had the best fundraising quarter?", and comparing Roy Blunt (who is running for US Senate in a top-watched national race) to Susan Montee (who is running for State Auditor against the dog catcher). 

I understand needed to gain readership.  Rosenbaum was the rising Missouri Political Reporting Star, then he took a job that paid better.  I don't blame him.  I bet he has better hours too.  So he's trying to build readership for Capitol Calling. 

Jason, you're a good reporter, and a nice guy.  Get a girl, put out quality content, and people will follow you. 

MOPO begs:  "Jason Rosenbaum, please don't become a hack, we don't need another Jake Wagman"

It is a slow day in the small town in NoWhere, USA.  It is raining, and the little town looks totally deserted.  Times are tough, everybody is in debt and everybody lives on credit.  On this particular day a rich tourist from the East is driving through town.  He enters the only hotel in the sleepy town and lays a hundred dollar bill on the desk stating  he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one to spend the night  As soon as the man walks up the stairs, the hotel proprietor takes the hundred dollar bill and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher.  The butcher takes the $100 and runs down the street to pay his debt to the pig farmer.  The pig farmer then takes the $100 and heads off to pay  his debt to the supplier of feed and fuel.  The guy at the Farmer's Co-op takes the $100 and runs to pay his debt to the local prostitute who has also been facing hard times and has lately had to offer her "services" on credit..  The hooker runs to the hotel and pays off her debt with the $100 to the hotel proprietor  paying for the rooms that she had rented when she brought clients to that establishment.   The hotel proprietor then lays the $100 bill back on the counter so the rich traveler will not suspect anything.  At that moment the traveler from the East walks back down the stairs  after inspecting the rooms.  He picks up the $100 bill and states that the rooms are not satisfactory.  Pockets the money and walks out the door and leaves town.     No one earned anything.  However the whole town is now out of debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism.  

Sound familiar? 

Or is it the Circle of Life?

I don't understand why Roy Blunt did this - but he just sent a mass e-mail telling the world that he has raised over $1,000,000 in the last three months for his US Senate bid.

The fundraising reports are not due until the 15th of July. So that gives Robin Carnahan 14 days to ensure she raised $1,00,001 in the same time period.

Maybe she won't. Because that would be unethical - if not ILLEGAL.

Remember - if a candidate asks you to date a check...say, June 30th...don't. Just say NO to this illegal practice. You're not really helping anyone.