Steve Brown’s ambitious alright.  After losing one election, he moved to another district where there’d be a vacancy.  As for his passion about the environment, I’m not sure about his sincerity; it’s a pretty safe issue since the State is losing revenue and can’t afford to do any of it.  And, we get at least 3 mailings a week from him – somewhere, there’s a forest…….  

As for Stacey Newman’s demonstration of ambition (or lack thereof), she has a family. Unlike men in her position (and like most women in hers), she doesn’t have someone to free her from all the domestic obligations.  She’s struggling to be a good public servant and that’s my kind of candidate.

Many years ago, a TV journalist told me why most of them voted Democratic – it’s a candidate’s off-camera behavior.  He said that when Republican candidates are interviewed, they stick to talking points and are lost when asked anything else.  Democrats have talking points but will at least demonstrate some capacity to think for themselves.  Steve Brown reminded me of that conversation.  He has canvassed my block several times over the past few months.  During one, I vented about a practice, unique toMissouri, that I believe keeps people from improving their lives.  He was completely lost, wasn’t interested in what other states did and gave me the prepared platform speech.

When Stacey canvassed my block, I did my little ‘rant’ for her.  She actually communicated with me about it! I agreed to let her put up a yard sign.  The day after she did, there were Steve Brown signs posted next to hers and there was one in my yard (to which I hadn’t consented and promptly removed)! Later that day, he was at my door – our conversation basically went (him) ‘but we talked’ (me) ‘but she listened.’

I enjoyed a great relationship with Margaret Donelly; her office was helpful when I had a problem dealing with a State department.  Per our exchanges, Steve Brown’s not into responsiveness.  I’m in Russ Carnahan’s district and I might as well be in federal government limbo. Looks like I’ll be in a State limbo if Steve Brown wins.