Capitol Calling

Nixon to sign tractor parade freedom bill

May 29, 2009 will forever be known as the day Missourians were granted their freedom...

... to participate in tractor parades.

Gov. Jay Nixon's office said in an advisory that the first-year chief executive will sign legislation legalizing tractor parades. The ceremony will take place this afternoon on the South Lawn of the Missouri Capitol Building.

According to the release, a tractor will be used in the ceremony.

From now until mid-July, Nixon will sign or veto a slew of bills passed this year by the legislature. It seems like he's starting this process off on a fun note.

You've Got The Touch!

You're a winner!

A few months ago, I came up with an informal ranking system of the potential candidates for the U.S. Seventh District House seat. I decided to let some time pass before updating the list. It was probably a good a decision, as a number of candidates have entered the fray.

Some - like state Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin - were not totally unexpected. Others - like Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore or political newcomer Jeff Wisdom - are surprises.

While it's still very early in the process, here's how I see things standing right now. Remember, the only thing that matters in any election is the final total on election day:

9. Nixa Councilman Kevin Elmer: Elmer is still the only candidate from fast-growing Christian County, which is a plus. I have to question though whether the influx of other Springfield-area candidates are drowning Elmer out.

8. Former state Rep. B.J. Marsh: I've heard almost nothing about Marsh lately. That doesn't mean he won't get in, but the influx of Springfield candidates doesn't help. Still, he could self-finance and does have some name recognition through his travel business.

7. Jeff Wisdom: As a newcomer to the political process, Wisdom might be able to attract some votes from disaffected Republicans tired of "politics as usual." But that role might already be taken by another candidate on this list...

6. John Putnam: As a Joplin-area candidate, Putnam could cost Nodler some votes. And in a wild contest like this, that could make a difference.

5. Hal Donaldson: The president of the non-profit ministry Convoy of Hope is a sleeper. While his campaign hasn't made much noise lately, Donaldson does have the fundraising skills to be a serious contender.

4. Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore: Moore's successfully run for a countywide office in the district's most populous area. And his high-profile position probably puts him television more than most of the other candidates. He has the potential to be a major force in this race.

2. [tie] Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin: Nodler could be the dominant candidate from the Joplin area, a fairly significant population center. And in contest that is becoming top-heavy with Springfield-area candidates, Nodler might be able to eek a plurality. There is precedent of candidates who have lost before eventually prevailing in their races for higher office.

2. [tie] Billy Long: There are certainly benefits to having solid backing from elements of a political party. But Long proves that there are rewards to being a political outsider at a time when the Republican Party is doing serious soul searching. After a solid fundraising quarter, Long as of now seems to be the top candidate from Springfield. But will the aforementioned influx of other candidates from the area sap away critical votes?

1. Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon: David Catanese over at the KY3 Blog placed Long at the top of his power rankings. With a solid fundraising quarter, good name recognition and an outsider mentality, Long is definitely a front-running candidate. But I'm going to keep Goodman at the top of this list by a hair. I predict Goodman's fundraising will pick up now that the legislative session is over. And he could definitely take a lot of votes in the area between Springfield and Joplin. I could be wrong on both counts, though. If Nodler, Moore or Long outpace Goodman in the money race, he might fall off the top spot.

Parker passes

There's some sad news to report today. George Parker, a former Republican state lawmaker from Columbia who founded the Pachyderm Clubs, has died.

Parker was something of an icon to many Boone County Republicans. He was the first GOP lawmaker to represent Boone County in the Missouri General Assembly in a generation. He was also the Republican nominee for treasurer in 1972.

But his biggest legacy, as noted in the Columbia Daily Tribune earlier this month, might be his role in founding the Pachyderm Club. The group provided a gathering place for Republicans to dine together and discuss the issues of the day. There are dozens of Pachyderm Clubs around the country.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, called Parker "a pioneer and visionary who inspired generations of Missouri Republicans and Republicans nationwide to become involved in public service and learn more about our great democracy."

"George never stopped working for the conservative cause of Missouri Republicans that he himself helped mold during most of his 86 years," Luetkemeyer said. "As George himself said just 11 days ago during his birthday celebration in Columbia: ‘The reason things happen is because you have a strong desire to make that happen. I tried to convey the idea that we’re all equal and we’re all responsible for the government.’"

Parker was 86. You can read more about Parker's life and legacy here.

Happy Thursday

There's also the hilarious Boogie Nights version.

Should the Senate confirm Sotomayor?

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.

McCaskill: Sotomayor will be a "terrific Supreme Court justice"

Jo Mannies over at the St. Louis Beacon snagged a statement from Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, on Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to Mannies, McCaskill released a statement noting that Sotomayor "accomplished great things in her life through the all-American values of discipline, hard work, and integrity."

"I'm especially glad she has experience as a courtroom prosecutor and a trial judge," McCaskill said. "There hasn't been a person with more experience nominated in decades. She will be a terrific Supreme Court justice."

Sotomayor will need Senate approval to replace Supreme Court Justice David Souter.

Bond releases statement on Sotomayor

As Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court heads to the U.S. Senate, Missouri's senior senator released a brief statement on the matter.

Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, said in a statement:

“I look forward to reviewing Judge Sotomayor's record and learning more from her hearings.  Judge Sotomayor once said ‘I don't believe that we should bend the Constitution under any circumstances,’ I agree that is how judges should rule and I will expect her to continue that view."

Even without Al Franken, the Democrats probably have enough votes to overcome a Republican filibuster. But it will be interesting to see how Republicans react to Sotomayor's nomination.

AP: Obama to choose Sotomayor

It seems that President Barack Obama will tap Sonia Sotomayor as his first appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sotomayor, a federal appeals judge, will replace Supreme Court Justice David Souter if she is confirmed by the Senate.

From the AP:

Administration officials say Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the past 70 years.

A formal announcement was expected at midmorning.

Obama had said publicly he wanted a justice who combined intellect and empathy—the ability to understand the troubles of everyday Americans.

Democrats hold a large majority in the Senate, and barring the unexpected, Sotomayor's confirmation should be assured.

If approved, she would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the current court.

Read the rest here.

AG: Eckersley to receive $500K settlement

Attorney General Chris Koster's office announced today that the state will pay $500,000 to Scott Eckersley.

Eckersley, a former deputy counsel for Blunt, had filed a wrongful termination and defamation lawsuit against former members of the Republican governor's administration. While Koster's office said in a press release that the parties involved strongly clung to their positions, they decided to settle in order to forestall more cost to the state.

A press release from Koster's office included this joint statement on behalf of Rich AuBuchon, Rich Chrismer, Henry Herschel, Ed Martin, Blunt, and Eckersley:

"The lawsuit in this case was filed following the termination of Scott Eckersley's employment by the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri.  Based on the claims and defenses asserted by both plaintiff and defendants, all of the parties strongly believe in the merits of their positions.  However, for various reasons including the cost of continuing to litigate this matter through trial, all of the undersigned parties to the Release agree that settling the case for the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) on behalf of the defendants and the State Legal Expense Fund, in exchange for full and complete release of all claims asserted, is in the best interests of the taxpayers of the State of Missouri."