Capitol Calling

Purgason to take plunge?

There are reports this morning that state Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, might make the leap into the 2010 Senate race.

That's according to the Springfield News-Leader and the Associated Press. Both are reporting that the second-term lawmaker is launching an exploratory committee for a run at the seat currently held by Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, is the only announced Republican candidate. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is running as a Democrat.

Purgason set up a Web site that contains a lengthy press release. In the statement, Purgason says"I think that my own Party bears some blame for many of the things that are happening today. We have forgotten our values, what we stand for, and what made us a great nation."

"The greatness of America is not with her government," Purgason said in the release. "The greatness of America is the people of America who day-in-and-day-out, work hard, love and provide for their families and pursue their own version of the American dream. This is the America that I want to represent and fight to preserve."

Purgason often departs with his Republican caucus on fiscal policy. He was one of the chief opponents, for instance, a bonding bill aimed at building capital improvement projects at colleges and universities.

He also came out strongly against an insurance mandate for afflictions related to autism spectrum disorder.

Additionally, Purgason is renowned throughout the Capitol for sometimes sporting a bolo tie.

But Purgason is perhaps best known for his opposition to ethanol subsidies. To illustrate this, here's an audio clip that I made last year during a debate on a mandate for bio diesel:

Danforth backs Blunt

EVANSTON - The endorsement train keeps on rolling for U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt.

Blunt, R-Springfield, received the support of former Sen. John Danforth tonight. The backing came after a candidate Danforth was touting - Thomas Schweich - dropped out of the race to replace U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri.

"Senator Danforth's public service to our state and to our nation hasbeen tremendous and it means a lot to me to have his personal support and endorsement," Blunt said in a statement. "I have appreciated Jack's warm personal friendship through the years and am very much looking forward to campaigning with him."

When Danforth came to Jefferson City last month to pump up Schweich's potential Senate bid, I asked him if he could support Blunt or former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. I also asked whether either candidate could beat Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

Here's a clip:

KC Star: Schweich passes on Senate bid

EVANSTON - Steve Kraske of the KC Star is reporting that Thomas Schweich will not run for the U.S. Senate next year.

Schweich, a visiting law professor at Washington University, had been touted as a potential alternative to U.S. Roy Blunt or former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman in the Republican primary. But according to Kraske, Schweich decided to stay out of the race and back Blunt's bid for Senate.

Robin Carnahan is the only announced Democrat running for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri.

You can read Kraske's post here.

Blunt sounds off on Sotomayor nod

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt - a Springfield Republican running for the U.S. Senate - has released the following statement on Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"The most important issue when considering a Supreme Court nominee is their judicial philosophy and whether they are an activist who would attempt to legislate from the bench, or a jurist who respects the authority of the Constitution.  This nominee offers proper professional credentials and a compelling life story.  However, her view that judges should make policy raises a huge red flag.  The U.S. Senate should neither pre-judge or pre-confirm, but thoughtfully, thoroughly and rigorously examine the record of this nominee to our nation's highest court."

Blunt's statement is largely symbolic in this specific case, as U.S. House members don't get to vote on appointments to the Supreme Court. And the chances are not terribly high that Sotomayor's nomination will languish to the point where Blunt - or anybody who replaces Bond - will get to vote.

But since senators will have to vote on judicial appointees, a candidate's philosophy on the matter is still noteworthy.

Blunt could face former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Washington University professor Thomas Schweich in a Republican primary. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is running for the seat as a Democrat.

Gaggle of state senators get behind Blunt's Senate bid

Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt received the endorsement of dozens of GOP state representatives for his U.S. Senate run. Today, the Springfield Republican congressman rolled out a press release touting the support of 18 GOPers in the Missouri Senate.

They are: Norma Champion, Dan Clemens, Jane Cunningham,Tom Dempsey, Kevin Engler, Jack Goodman, John Griesheimer, Jim Lembke, Gary Nodler, David Pearce, Luann Ridgeway, Kurt Schaefer, Eric Schmitt, Delbert Scott, Charlie Shields, Bill Stouffer and Carl Vogel.

For those keeping score, the state senators who did not throw their support behind Blunt's bid are: Matt Bartle, Jason Crowell, Brad Lager, Chuck Purgason and Scott Rupp.

Blunt could face former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Washington University law professor Thomas Schweich in a GOP primary for U.S. Sen Kit Bond's seat. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is the only announced Democratic candidate.

Schweich - who is mulling a bid for the Senate - has received the backing of former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, R-Missouri. Bond and the entire Missouri congressional delegation endorsed Blunt's bid.

Schweich comes to Jefferson City

Thomas Schweich, a potential candidate for Missouri's soon-to-be open U.S. Senate seat, stopped by Jefferson City today.

Schweich - a Republican who is currently a visiting law professor at Washington University - was joined by former Sen. John Danforth, R-Missouri. Danforth has been pushing Schweich as potential alternative to either U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, and former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Blunt announced his bid to replace U.S. Sen. Kit Bond earlier this year, while Steelman is strongly considering running for the seat.

Schweich said he is still in process of testing the waters for a Senate bid. He discussed his possible run with several reporters in the Senate gallery:

Schweich discussed his views on a number of issues, including the federal stimulus package, "Card Check," Cap and Trade and embryonic stem cell research. Here's a clip:

Schweich for Senate?

Is the Republican primary for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat getting a bit more crowded?

According to St. Louis Beacon reporter Jo Mannies, it's possible.

Mannies reported this morning that Washington University law professor Thomas Schweich is mulling a bid for the seat current held by U.S. Sen. Kit Bond:

Schweich, a graduate of Clayton High School who served the Bush administration as the ambassador for counternarcotics and justice reform in Afghanistan, has been asked by some of the region's most prominent Republicans to consider the idea because some in the GOP question whether Blunt will be a strong candidate against the only announced Democrat, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

Among the Republicans encouraging Schweich: retired U.S. Sen. John C. Danforth, R-Mo.; former Ambassador to Hungary Bert Walker, a Bush cousin and chairman emeritus of Stifel Nicolaus and Webster University; and former Ambassador to Belgium Sam Fox, the founder of Clayton-based Harbour Group.

Danforth, Fox and Walker used the same phrases to describe Schweich: "A fresh face."

"He's a fresh face. A tremendously impressive individual,'' said Walker. "He's somebody that the Republican Party should take a hard look at."

Read the rest here.

Blunt announces House endorsement bonanza

And now, a word about the Kit Bond sweepstakes.

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt's Senate campaign announced today the endorsement of 71 sitting members of the Missouri House. They include:

Sue Allen, Walt Bivins, Ellen Brandom, Dan Brown, Jason Brown, Mark Bruns, Eric Burlison, Wayne Cooper, Stanley Cox, Mike Cunningham, Bill Deeken, Charlie Denison, Scott Dieckhaus, John Diehl, Bob Dixon, Ed Emery, Sally Faith, Barney Fisher, Tom Flanigan, Tim Flook, Ward Franz, Doug Funderburk, Chuck Gatschenberger, Jeff Grisamore, Steve Hobbs, Denny Hoskins, Allen Icet, Tim Jones, Kenny Jones, Shelley Keeney, Gayle Kingery, Andrew Koenig, Will Kraus, Mike Lair, Scott Largent, Mike Leara, Tom Loehner, Mike McGhee, Cole McNary, Brian Munzlinger, Bob Nance, Brian Nieves, Jerry Nolte, Mark Parkinson, Mike Parson, Darrell Pollock, Bryan Pratt, Ron Richard, Jeanie Riddle, Marilyn Ruestman, Don Ruzicka, David Sater, Rodney Schad, Dwight Scharnhorst, Charlie Schlottach, Tom Self, Shane Schoeller, Bryan Stevenson, Rick Stream, Mike Thomson, Steve Tilley, Clint Tracy, Jim Viebrock, Maynard Wallace, Jay Wasson, Ray Weter, Kevin Wilson, Larry Wilson, Dennis Wood, Billy Pat Wright and Anne Zerr.

Here are some names not on that list:

Cynthia Davis, David Day, Mike Dethrow, Tony Dugger, Gary Dusenberg, Doug Ervin, Casey Guernsey, Jim Guest, Scott Lipke, Chris Molendorp, Therese Sander, Rob Schaaf, Ryan Silvey, Jason Smith, Joe Smith and Don Wells.

Blunt could face former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman in the GOP primary. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is the only announced candidate on the Democratic side.

Hannibal Highlights

I did not make it up to Hannibal this year for the annual extravaganza known as Democrat Days. With the help of Combest, here are some highlights:

- Arguably the most substantive news from the event is a potential deal to have hospitals pick up the tab for a proposed Medicaid expansion. Gov. Jay Nixon is going around the state this week to announce the plan. According to the AP, Republicans seem rather cool to the idea.

- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan took some questions from reporters on social issues and the federal stimulus plan. David Catanese wrote about how the Democrat U.S. Senate candidate is not saying how she would have voted on certain issues.

- Lyndon Bode won't pursue another congressional run, but Judy Baker might. And Sara Lampe and Rachel Storch might have statewide ambitions.

- On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Strafford, provided the GOP response to President Barack Obama's radio address. Sarah Steelman criticized a Republican press release attacking Carnahan. And Sen. Claire McCaskill compared Steelman to Sarah Palin.

- By far the most entertaining nugget from the weekend comes from Catanese, who posted a video of McCaskill recording several reporters with a small video camera. The first-term senator asked reporters a raft of questions, including whether inserting videos into blogs was "cheating." Tony Messenger also plugged his Twitter stream.

Catanese pretty much hit the nail on the head. I tend to agree with him that Web videos provide an additional dimension to reporting. When done responsibly, giving readers a face and a voice behind printed verbiage ensures a degree of transparency and creditability. While Web videos are certainly not a replacement for a well-written analysis, they can provide an important – and entertaining – supplement.

Hopefully when McCaskill comes to Mid-Missouri, she can get video of me recording a tracker recording another tracker.

Blunt quizzed on Steelman primary challenge, Delay ties

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt was asked about the potential primary challenge from former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. He was also asked about his ties to former House Majority Leader Tom Delay, R-Texas.

Here's a clip: