…at the Missouri State Fair.

We just thought you’d like to know.

Dave Spence (r), candidate for governor with the desperately silly campaign commercials,

in Sedalia at the 2012 Missouri State Fair Governor’s Ham Breakfast.

That is all.

There was a parade in Stockton, Missouri this afternoon. Three hours before the start of the parade the first thing you can’t help noticing when you turn on to South Street is the large number of empty lawn chairs already occupying spaces along the parade route. Over those next three hours those lawn chairs and more filled up.

Local parades are an opportunity for candidates to interact with a large crowd of people, most of of whom probably live in the district.

Along the parade route – at 11:30 a.m. (left) and at 1:30 p.m. (right).

Cass County Prosecutor and 4th Congressional District candidate Teresa Hensley (D) took that opportunity to walk the parade and talk with voters before the parade at a meet and greet at a home along the parade route.

The parade started at around 2:00 p.m.

Teresa Hensley (D) was entry number fourteen (of over a hundred):

I love Missouri. On a classic vehicle (one among many) in the parade:

In addition to the candidates other entries included middle school and high school marching bands, organization floats, classic cars, classic tractors, and high school queens:

Inigo Montoya: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Vicky Hartzler (r) wasn’t present, but there was an entry toward the end of the parade:

Lex Luthor: “Guy’s a clod. Promises were made, gifts exchanged….”

Back in August:

Hartzler statement on Congressman Akin

Harrisonville – Vicky Hartzler stated today, “Like many Missourians, I found Congressman Akin’s comments baffling, disturbing and misinformed. Over the last few days I have attempted to communicate with him personally; however, my repeated attempts have been unsuccessful. Due to the serious nature of this issue, I hope and pray he will make the right decision for himself, his family and our country and follow the advice of Senators Blunt, Bond, Ashcroft, Talent and Danforth.”

That was then, this is now.

Fancy that.

On TPM today:

When Akin said in remarks published Thursday that McCaskill did not act “ladylike” in their first debate, both Republicans and Democrats shook their heads. They may have slapped their foreheads when just a couple hours later, it was revealed that Akin’s referring [sic] to McCaskill as a “a wildcat out of the cage.”

If Akin really wants crucial support and resources for his campaign, Republican strategists told TPM, he just has to stop saying stuff like that. The NRSC on Wednesday opened the door to supporting Akin again, but on Friday – after Akin’s newest quotes hit the Internet – there were signs the NRSC is rethinking its rethinking.

I don’t hear the sound of doors  slamming yet, but who knows? Akin seems congenitally unable to keep his foot out of his mouth. Jeff Smith, in a Politico opinion piece (worth reading in its entirety), doesn’t think all is lost for Brother Todd, however:

… The race may well be determined by next week’s end. If Akin can withstand McCaskill’s furious TV/radio ad onslaught and stay within 4-5 points while holding McCaskill under 47 or 48, national money returns and it’s probably a 1-2 point race either way. If he can’t stay close in the next week, good night, Todd. The cavalry doesn’t do charity cases.

Of course, the Akin folks profess not to be worried in the slightest in spite of their candidate’s proclivity for misspeaking in public:

Rick Tyler, the former Newt Gingrich adviser now working for Akin, told TPM that his candidate’s remarks are no problem.

“He’s doing great!” Tyler said.

On “ladylike,” Tyler accused Democrats of being overly sensitive.

“We don’t say ‘ladylike or gentlemanly?’ Did you notice how the president of the United States was introduced in his last speech? ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States. All those people must have been offended right?” he said. “I lost my subscription to the candidate’s guide to political correctness. Help me out how do I refer to the president’s wife? Isn’t she the First Lady?”

But Tyler suggested Akin perhaps wished he didn’t say the “caged wildcat” line.

One feels for the poor guy Gingrich assigned to Akin. He’s giving it the old college try, but in doing so he comes off just as unclear on the concept as Todd. Nobody is suggesting that the it’s the word “ladylike” all by itself that’s got Akin in the headlines again. The outrage reflects the fact that denying “ladylike” status to women who are capable of holding their own in a political debate indicates that the person doing so has some serious issues. I believe we call it misogyny rather than political correctness.  

Yeah, this’ll do it:

Pat Boone Endorses Todd Akin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

St. Louis, MO: The Akin campaign released the following endorsement from singer, actor and writer Pat Boone:

“I’m strongly supportive of Todd Akin for US Senator from Missouri. My ancestor Daniel Boone would be, too–he and Rebecca had 10 kids, definitely pro-life. Todd’s opponent is resolutely of the “pro abortion” camp which championed, just last year, the “termination” of over 600,000 baby girls. Todd Akin will represent the true values of Missouri families.”

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission, for Ed Martin’s (r) campaign for Attorney General:

C121046 09/28/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR ED MARTIN Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 retired 9/28/2012 $15,000.00

[emphasis added]

Huh?

Two weeks ago:

C031159 09/14/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westphalia MO 65085 Retired Retired 9/13/2012 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

….Ed springs from the world you helped create, and now he’s just too much….

Evidently not.

Previously: Campaign Finance: Oh, really? (September 14, 2012)

Teresa Hensley Comments on Selection of Paul Ryan as Vice Presidential Nominee

Columbia, MO – Today, Cass County Prosecutor and congressional candidate in Missouri’s 4th Congressional district Teresa Hensley issued the following statement in response to the selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as vice presidential nominee.

“Now more than ever it is clear that the number one issue in this election is the ultimate survival of the Medicare program.  Governor Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate has potentially put the architect of the plan to end Medicare as we know it a heartbeat away from the presidency.

“The Ryan selection, coupled with Congresswoman Hartzler’s votes in support of ending Medicare as we know it – which would cost seniors $6,400 more per year in order to protect tax breaks for millionaires and subsidies for oil companies – is the defining moment in this election cycle.

“This issue is not about partisan politics.  Medicare has helped Democrats and Republicans alike.  It’s about making commonsense decisions about protecting our seniors and balancing the budget the right way.  That means looking out for Missouri’s middle class and making sure millionaires and big oil companies pay their fair share. I’m running to stand up for middle class families and seniors and this November voters will have a clear choice between my commonsense agenda, and an agenda that recklessly ends Medicare as we know it.”

Video by Jerry Schmidt