Capitol Calling

Carnahan, Blunt react to Obama's Afghanistan

Two of the contenders for the soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat in Missouri released statements on President Barack Obama's speech on Afghanistan.

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, said Obama's speech tried to "walk a line between the political views of those who are ready to give up on the war in Afghanistan, and the real-world needs of both our troops on the ground and the Afghan people, all of whom need to have confidence that the U.S. is there to get the job done."

"While I’m pleased that he will take steps toward adopting General McChrystal’s troop level recommendations, setting a published timetable while announcing a troop increase will satisfy neither of those groups," Blunt said in a statement.

On Wednesday morning, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan released a statement saying that she supported "the decision by the President and his national security team to increase our troop levels in Afghanistan and I am encouraged that the strategy is receiving bipartisan support."

“We must protect our nation from future attacks by stabilizing Afghanistan and the region so that it is not a safe haven for terrorists and is eventually responsible for its own security," Carnahan said in the statement. "It's vital that there be clear benchmarks, strict oversight and that our troops have the tools they need to succeed and ultimately return home safely." 

 

 

CBT: Forsee letter sparks debate

University of Missouri System President Gary Forsee's letter opposing "Cap and Trade" legislation is attracting a lot of attention from both sides of the political spectrum.

Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, and popular radio host Rush Limbaugh are praising Forsee's opposition to the bill. But supporters of the legislation aimed at cutting carbon emissions aren't so enthusiastic.

You can read more about Forsee's letter and the reaction at the Columbia Business Times Blog.

Luetkemeyer breaks with delegation on defense bill

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, was the only GOP representative from Missouri to vote for a defense authorization bill.

Some Republicans - including Luetkemeyer - objected to an amendment that would make it a federal crime to assault people based off their sexual orientation. But unlike the four other Republican U.S. representatives from Missouri, the freshman legislator decided to vote for the bill.

“We must support our military men and women who are putting their lives on the line to defend our nation and our freedoms, and we must remain committed to the fight against terrorist regimes that seek to destroy our way of life,” Luetkemeyer said in a statement. “Despite political games by the Majority that includes a divisive non-defense related measure tacked onto the bill, I supported this legislation because our men and women in uniform are my top priority.”

Luetkemeyer's press release went on to say that the congressman opposed the hate crimes legislation because "of his belief that it would make one person’s life more valuable than another person’s life."

"The congressman has argued that all violent crime is wrong, is founded in hate, is devastating to victims and communities and it should always be vigorously prosecuted," the press release went on to say.

Still, U.S. Reps. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, Todd Akin, R-Town and Country, and Joann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, all voted against the defense authorization bill. The Missouri Democratic Party put out a release charging that the four "chose politics over principle today" by voting against the bill.

“Congressman Blunt and other Missouri Republicans have obviously decided to put politics ahead of our troops,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Brian Zuzenak in a statement. “This is a bipartisan bill that makes sure our men and women have what they need to keep our country safe – our troops and Missourians deserve better than the same old Washington party politics.”

In a statement of his own, Blunt said he voted against the bill because of the hate crimes amendment. Here's video of Blunt speaking out against the measure:

Putting on my legal hat for a moment, it would be fair to assume that this legislation would be challenged immediately if it had been passed in the Missouri General Assembly. The Missouri Constitution forbids legislation dealing with multiple subjects.

Lobbyist Epidemic, Tonight

Democrats have been pushing the fact that U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, has taken more money from lobbyists than another candidate running for office this election cycle.

That's according to an article from USA Today, which features a chart showing Blunt's U.S. Senate campaign has scooped up $310,534 from lobbyists. In an e-mail to reporters, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Ryan Hobart pointed out that the figure is more than Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

But the top committee that received funds from lobbyists on USA Today's list is the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. That committee - which has taken $731,800 from lobbyists - exists to help out Democratic candidates running for the U.S. Senate. The group's Republican counterpart has raised $408,500 from lobbyists, according to the article.

The question has to be asked: if the DSCC spends, say, $400,000 to help Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, wouldn't it stand to reason that the Democratic statewide official would benefit? That's especially the case if that money is used to fund ads attacking Blunt's congressional record. Conversely, Blunt would almost certainly benefit if the National Republican Senatorial Committee spends money to attack Carnahan.

The point is that lobbyist money - whether raised through candidate committees or through outside groups - will be flowing heavily in the race to replace U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri. That's one of the realities of running in a high-profile and tightly-contested race for an open U.S. Senate seat.

ADDENDUM: I asked Hobart about this issue and he sent me this response:

"The DSCC helps all Democratic Senate candidates, as does the NRSC and similar Republican groups. The real distinction here is that Congressman Blunt has raised over 300,000 dollars in lobbyist money this year for his personal campaign - more than any other candidate. He has even raised more lobbyist money than the Republican National Committee and the National Repubilcan Congressional Committee. It really shows that he is the quintessential Washington insider."

Blunt and Luetkemeyer to barnstorm region

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, and U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, are in for a busy Saturday.

The two GOP lawmakers will attend several weekend events in northeast and central Missouri. Blunt and Luetkemeyer will be at the Boone County Ham Breakfast at 7 a.m. The two will be in Hannibal at 12:30 p.m. for a parade and Kirksville at 3:30 p.m. Both events will revolve around "energy issues."

Blunt is running for U.S. Senate. He faces state Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, the GOP primary. The winner will likely face Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

The Boone County Ham Breakfast is a magnet for political figures. The apex of the event is the ham auction, an activity where bigwigs try to nab salty Boone County ham at outrageous prices. The final tabs are usually pretty high during election years.

Opinion of Boone County ham is varied. Some, like Boone County Commissioner Skip Elkin, said the dish is probably "the best ham in the nation." Others - such as Sen. Kit Bond - said the delicacy has tough competition from other county hams.

The Biggest Catch?

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt has wrangled up a bunch of endorsements over the past few weeks. But today's pair might be the biggest catches of all.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, backed Blunt's bid for the U.S. Senate today. Only one other person running for an open seat - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist - received a similar endorsement.

"He is traveling the state, engaging voters, and offering solutions to the economic, health care, and education needs facing Show Me State voters," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "While the likely Democrat nominee prefers to remain silent or undecided on the challenges confronting our country, Roy Blunt is - as he always has - providing critical leadership at home and in Washington."

The NRSC is a major third-party group in charge of providing resources and assistance to Senate candidates. A counterpart group - known as the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - has assisted probable Democratic nominee Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

The move could freeze out potential GOP challengers - such as former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman or state Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield - from being about challenge Blunt financially. Blunt has also received backing from essentially every major Missouri Republican political figure in the state.

Still, Crist's endorsement from the NRSC hasn't been without detractors. Some national figures are breaking with the decision and endorsing former House Speaker Marco Rubio's Senate bid.

Whether this news causes something similar to occur in the Show Me State remains to be seen

Blunt bags Ashcroft's endorsement

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, netted another major endorsement today in his quest for a U.S. Senate seat.

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft threw his support behind Blunt's run today, saying in a statement that the longtime congressman will "represent our heartland values in the United States
Senate."

"We need Roy Blunt in the United States Senate to provide a check and balance to one-party liberal control in Washington," Ashcroft said in a statement.

Ashcroft - a former state attorney general, governor and U.S. Senator - is the latest GOP heavy-hitter to back Blunt.

Blunt has now received the backing of former U.S. Sens. John Danforth and Jim Talent, as well as U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri. He was also endorsed last week by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

Former state treasurer Sarah Steelman and state Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, haven't ruled out Senate bids. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is running as a Democrat for Bond's seat.

Kinder and Talent to endorse Blunt

For those holding out hope for a U.S. Senate bid this year by either former Sen. Jim Talent or Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, prepare to have your bubble burst.

Both men will be in St. Louis tomorrow to endorse U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt's U.S. Senate bid. Both Republican officials had been considered possible contenders for the race.

While Talent ducked out of the contest a few months ago, Kinder has kept mum on the subject since Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, announced his retirement.

Blunt, R-Springfield, is the only announced Republican candidate. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is running for the position as a Democrat.

Two other Republicans - former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and state Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield - are considering running as well.

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.