Missouri’s 2nd congressional district is relatively wealthy, mostly white and traditionally conservative. For years it was represented by retrograde moron and dominionist Christian, Todd Akin, who worried the issue of something he called “legitimate rape” like a dog worrying a bone until he found himself out of a job. His replacement, GOP Rep. Ann Wagner, who can best be described as a political Mommy Dearest, is preoccupied with the sad plight of bankers and financiers whom she struggles to protect, while cloyingly reassuring her other constituents that she has only their welfare in mind – a position the defense of which has necessitated that she rarely make contact with folks from her district who might be inclined to ask inconvenient questions.
We in the 2nd district may be able to tell a different story, though, after 2018. In past election cycles, Wagner has had few opponents who have been able to go up against her scads of banking industry money and local connections and she has easily prevailed. But all things must pass; change is inevitable.
Democratic strategists see the possibility of an upset in the 2nd – how much of a possibility and how seriously the Democratic party plans to support it has yet to be determined; it’s early days yet. Nevertheless, the party’s interest, coupled, I suspect, with the renewed activism triggered by the truly hideous garden path down which Republicans, led by their Trump man-baby, are taking us, has led to several viable candidates stepping up to take Wagner on.
One of those candidates, Kelli Dunaway, was profiled by Gloria Bilchik of Occasional Planet, and based on Bilchik’s comments, certainly seems promising. Another, Mark Osmark, currently employed as a consultant with Deloitte, met with a few members of the Queeny and Lafayette Townships’ Democratic Club last Wednesday (Aug. 16) and also managed to come across as an excellent alternative to the artificial and subtly doctrinaire Wagner. The following comments reflect my impressions of Osmack and what he had to say, in my language, not his – but if I misstate any facts, I would welcome corrections.
Like Dunaway, Osmack, is a newbie when it comes to running for office, although, again like Dunaway, he’s spent some time lurking on the periphery of the political world, putting in stints with both Claire McCaskill and Tammy Duckworth. He implied that he learned from these two distinctive politicians the importance of persevering in the face of obstacles, as well as more than a little about the realities of political give-and-take – and in spite of that baptism, he still believes that government has the power to make lives better for everyday people.
Osmack is a fluent and graceful speaker. Without once mentioning that he was awarded a bronze star, he was able to convey the importance of his two combat tours in Afghanistan. What he focused on when he spoke about his time in the military, was the importance of stepping up and accepting the challenges of leadership – he was a platoon leader – no matter how daunting it might seem.
Apropos of his experience in the service as well as his readiness to start big and run for the US Congress, he noted that no one would ever do anything if they waited until they’re “ready” for new challenges, but instead, one succeeds by stepping up and purposefully addressing the task in hand. To very loosely paraphrase, he presented his approach to the challenges of public service as something you just do because it has to be done and there’s no alternative but to succeed.
Osmack demonstrated familiarity with the ins-and-outs of the major political issues of the day as well as the lay of the land in the 2nd district. His offered acceptable if not daring answers to specific questions concerning such political danger zones as local racism (he won’t shy away from calling out racism despite the fact that the 2nd is a staid, predominantly white district), and, that major spoiler, reproductive rights (he “hates” abortion, but defends the right of women to choose to have a safe, legal abortion). What was impressive in his answers, though, was the way they were laid out clearly within a fully-fleshed, often personal, context that could help to make them palatable to many who are not firmly located on one or the other ends of the political spectrum.
Osmack’s answer to a question about gun violence was typical of his seemingly anecdotal but still laser-sharp approach to explaining his positions. After establishing his military bona fides as a man who knows about guns, he recounted his experience as the victim of an attempted car-jacking. His made the point that the perpetrator was armed with a gun and clearly understood how to deploy it; had Osmack been carrying a firearm and had he attempted to use it, he said that he is convinced he could now be dead. And had there been a gun concealed in his car, a criminal with one gun would now be, he noted, a criminal with two guns – an important point since most authorities agree that the proliferation of illegal guns on our streets is fueled partly by the theft of legal guns.
Nor is Osmack in denial about the potential roadblocks he may need to overcome to win the Democratic primary and prevail over Wagner in 2018. When asked about Wagner’s war-chest, his noted that money isn’t the whole picture and he doesn’t really need to match her reserves: there’s only so many TV spots etc. that can be purchased. He’s equally que sera, sera when it comes to the question of Democratic Party support and his current primary rivals. As noted above, it’s early times yet, and Osmack let us know that he is aware of that fact.
Given that it is early times, what did I learn last Wednesday? First, Osmack could be a real contender. He’s got serious potential and I hope, no matter what happens in the months ahead, that we see more of him in the Missouri political arena. Second, Democrats in the 2nd may be in the almost unprecedented situation of having an embarrassment of riches when it comes to possible challengers to Wagner. I’m looking forward to a promised panel discussion (or debate?) later on when we are closer to the primary.
Oh yes … I’m also feeling just a little more optimistic about being able to say adiós amiga once and for all to Ann Wagner.
Bill Haas said:
Nice puff piece for my friend Mark Osmond. But the reality is I won the primary for this district in 2008 by more than 50% over the next candidate after being outspent $350,000 to $15,000, and am the hands-down favorite to win it again. And the reality is that when Bill Otto spent $500,000 last time and lost by 21%, and Hillary lost by 11%, it’s going to be no mean feat to beat Ann. she got 58% of the vote, which means you have to turn 1 out of 6 of her voters. It will take a candidate with name recognition, good issues that appeal to the center like mine, and mostly $5M to get your message out which no one will have without a lottery win. Claire will soak up the won in MO, and the national party’s barometer is a district Hillary lost by less than 4% or won. So we should support not the most progressive candidate, we’ll all vote well in congress, but the one with the most attractive set of issues to moderates and independents who plays the lottery the most. That’d be me, even tho didnt win powerball tonight, no one else did either, so maybe Wednesday.
Michael Bersin said:
Puff piece? Is that anything written that may discuss some positive traits in a candidate? Just asking.
Sure, make your own case. I would point out that there are probably more effective ways to do so than commenting on a post about a potential primary rival at an out of the way blog that’s read by dozens of people, most who don’t even live in your district.
Maybe start knocking on doors? It takes time and shoe leather, but it might not hurt your cause, right?
Bill Haas said:
I take your points; perhaps you took mine; sorry if I hurt your feelings; you seem a little sensitive; you should take the compliment; what I did not inconsistent with the other; got 30% of vote in 2008 with $15,000; 12% state-wide Lieutenant Governor. Expect to contribute close to $50,000 to this primary. I know how to run a campaign. Door to door sort of difficult in congressional district with bad hip; I could swim door to door. If not a puff piece, are you going to profile all the candidates? purr or otherwise? I would welcome the opportunity to talk but wont tell you all my secrets; maybe my issues. when we talking? votehaas@yahoo.com @votehaas. best, namaste, Congr Bill; other than the puffpiece comment I presume you found the other things substantive; that was the main point of my comment. Off to buy lottery tickets, dog park, swim, OpenDoorAnimalSanctuary where my campaign is one of the sponsors.
willykay said:
If Michael seems sensitive it’s on my behalf since he didn’t write the post – but it might also be because a backhanded “compliment” isn’t much of a compliment. There’s just something about passive-aggression that tempts one to call it out.
I’d be delighted to interview any of the other candidates for the 2nd – including you – although just as in the case of Osmack, I can’t guarantee a “puff” piece. Osmack earned the praise he got – he comes across as a very sharp guy. ime will tell if the good impression endures.
I expect to write about each one of the contenders as I encounter them via meetings, etc. but I’d be happy to interview you sooner. I’ll contact you through Facebook messenger next week to see if you want to set something up.
Bill Haas said:
hey Willykay; I think I replied by email but I dont see it posted but perhaps you got it; but let me cut to the chase. Because of your obvious agenda and that you seem hostile towards me, tho I may have you confused with some of the other posters, apologies, I’m not sure I trust you to do fair profile of myself and candidacy, but what I would suggest is that we meet to discuss what issues the democratic nominee should espouse in the general election to try to peel one out of 6 voters away from Ann the impaler, cousin to Chad, if they have the money to do so. I’m thinking tv, but not sure it matters. I’ll bring my 5-10 ideas for commercials I’d like to do at this point, and you can bring your viewpoints, and we’ll dialogue about them. Everyone will benefit and should be interesting valuable discussion. And if it bleeds into a discuss of my position on other issues or my candidacy or so-called political career, so be it. I actually was impressed by your profile but it seemed sort of advocacy, tho youre allowed to like him, and that you didnt mention the favorite who won before, moi, was disappointing and not very smart in my opinion. Or an intentional agenda to small-time me. What I also should mention is that I’m the only one of us to have been elected to public office, 4 times, schoolboard, last time 2014, an important position generally, as goes education so goes the country, and have a record spanning 20 years that I’m proud of, starting with lgbt non-harassment and non-discrimination policy that passed, my first month on the board, 1997, and also one for state of thea rt sex/health education that passed, and as recently as this month, a pilot program to try to address abysmal third-grade reading scores. I prefer my email as check more often, but try to get facebook messages too. Namaste, Bill
Bill Haas said:
En contraire, grasshopper; as I posted above, if you accept my premises, how’s tomorrow, Wednesday or Thursday am, or Friday for you? anywhere near cwe or Clayton?
“hey Willykay; I think I replied by email but I dont see it posted but perhaps you got it; but let me cut to the chase. Because of your obvious agenda and that you seem hostile towards me, tho I may have you confused with some of the other posters, apologies, I’m not sure I trust you to do fair profile of myself and candidacy, but what I would suggest is that we meet to discuss what issues the democratic nominee should espouse in the general election to try to peel one out of 6 voters away from Ann the impaler, cousin to Chad, if they have the money to do so. I’m thinking tv, but not sure it matters. I’ll bring my 5-10 ideas for commercials I’d like to do at this point, and you can bring your viewpoints, and we’ll dialogue about them. Everyone will benefit and should be interesting valuable discussion. And if it bleeds into a discuss of my position on other issues or my candidacy or so-called political career, so be it. I actually was impressed by your profile but it seemed sort of advocacy, tho youre allowed to like him, and that you didnt mention the favorite who won before, moi, was disappointing and not very smart in my opinion. Or an intentional agenda to small-time me. What I also should mention is that I’m the only one of us to have been elected to public office, 4 times, schoolboard, last time 2014, an important position generally, as goes education so goes the country, and have a record spanning 20 years that I’m proud of, starting with lgbt non-harassment and non-discrimination policy that passed, my first month on the board, 1997, and also one for state of thea rt sex/health education that passed, and as recently as this month, a pilot program to try to address abysmal third-grade reading scores. I prefer my email as check more often, but try to get facebook messages too. Namaste, Bill”
willykay said:
If you feel that this exchange has muddied the waters too much for you to get a fair shake, fine. I’ll look forward to hearing your positions explained in other venues – I’m sure I’ll get lots of opportunities before the primary.
Bill Haas said:
willykay, you said above “If you feel that this exchange has muddied the waters too much for you to get a fair shake, fine. I’ll look forward to hearing your positions explained in other venues – I’m sure I’ll get lots of opportunities before the primary.” but there is no place to reply to it for some reason, maybe I dont understand the protocol here, so I’ll reply here: you should forgive me, but youre too stupid for words, but since I’m Yale PBK Magna Cum Laude 😉 (where is that summa when you need it; mortifying), I’m going to try. or maybe youre just trying to appear stupid. nice. 1. first, the exchange hasnt muddied the waters, your initial post that didnt mention me, and your reply to my comment, make me despair of fair treatment; so it’s not me, it’s you dipstick. Moreover, if you can read better than you write (it was actually a nice profile you did in many ways), I offered to meet with you to discuss what issues I think I will emphasize in the general to beat Ann. Nothing should be of greater importance or interest than how the winner of the primary is planning to beat Ann, take one of her each 6 votes away. But if that’s too challenging a topic for you, or you dont have anything to bring to the table, or it doesnt fit neatly into your interest in doing a hatchet job on me, I accept your compitulence. Otherwise, let me know when you want to talk. If not now, not otherwise during the primary, tho I’m sure we’ll have lots of time to talk during the general election. On the other hand, youre always welcome to misquote or misunderstand or take out of context, things I say during the primary. If you think youre man enough, or writer and thinker enough, text to 3145622559. best, and thank for the dialogue such as it is. No muddied water here. Maybe I’ve muddied them too much for you. And if you think I’m harsh on her, I’m just warming up for what I’m going to do to Ann during the general, and the Republicans in congress. Theyre the real adversary.
perhaps we’re lost in the thread, but I dont think so; if want to talk as I’ve indicated, text; if you think youre overmatched, I accept your humble surrender.
Bill Haas said:
willykay, you said above “If you feel that this exchange has muddied the waters too much for you to get a fair shake, fine. I’ll look forward to hearing your positions explained in other venues – I’m sure I’ll get lots of opportunities before the primary.” but there is no place to reply to it for some reason, maybe I dont understand the protocol here, so I’ll reply here: you should forgive me, but youre too stupid for words, but since I’m Yale PBK Magna Cum Laude 😉 (where is that summa when you need it; mortifying), I’m going to try. or maybe youre just trying to appear stupid. nice. 1. first, the exchange hasnt muddied the waters, your initial post that didnt mention me, and your reply to my comment, make me despair of fair treatment; so it’s not me, it’s you dipstick. Moreover, if you can read better than you write (it was actually a nice profile you did in many ways), I offered to meet with you to discuss what issues I think I will emphasize in the general to beat Ann. Nothing should be of greater importance or interest than how the winner of the primary is planning to beat Ann, take one of her each 6 votes away. But if that’s too challenging a topic for you, or you dont have anything to bring to the table, or it doesnt fit neatly into your interest in doing a hatchet job on me, I accept your compitulence. Otherwise, let me know when you want to talk. If not now, not otherwise during the primary, tho I’m sure we’ll have lots of time to talk during the general election. On the other hand, youre always welcome to misquote or misunderstand or take out of context, things I say during the primary. If you think youre man enough, or writer and thinker enough, text to 3145622559. best, and thank for the dialogue such as it is. No muddied water here. Maybe I’ve muddied them too much for you. And if you think I’m harsh on her, I’m just warming up for what I’m going to do to Ann during the general, and the Republicans in congress. Theyre the real adversary.
willykay said:
Are you sure you’re really running for office? And that you want stuff like the above left out where folks who might consider voting for you can read it?
Bill Haas said:
No, I’m not sure. I like my feistiness but sometimes there’s a better way. Some of it was teasing, but I didnt start the tone, but there was substance within the teasing. I apologize if you thought I was inappropriately mean, but it’s going to take someone aggressive to beat Ann Wagner, and do well in Congress, and I think many people like that part of me, more than dont; I like that part of me. So we can talk about that and other things, tho I’d like to talk about what kind of general campaign the winner of the primary should run to win. Our skirmishing is over, now let’s talk. What’s your schedule Thursday? best, Bill. I admired your profile of Mark. Maybe I was jealous, but I felt small-times, and if I cant stand up for myself, wont do well standing up for others with less platform and power. That’s my story, sticking to it. I’m open to talking, with some reservations, but reservations not required. What do you want? best, Congr Bill
Michael Bersin said:
Hurt feelings? Heh. You’re new around these here parts, ain’t yah? We’re generally not very interested in hurt feelings.
That column on the left? Go ahead, read the archives. We’ll wait. They’ll tell you what we think is more important.
Bill Haas said:
Everybody has feelings, as they should, and we should be respectful of them whenever possible; I know I do, and try to be respectful of feelings of others; dont always succeed as I should. As they say, feelings arent always reasonable but theyre always real..
mjriley210 said:
Good luck, Bill. Glad to know you’re a swimmer, because it seems you’re working upstream here, in a current of your own making.
Bill Haas said:
good one running dog imperialist of the intifa; I’ll resist the obvious retort that I’m sorry for your obvious mommy passive aggressive rejection issues. That’s what they said in 2008 before I kicked butt and took names later. I think I mean to reply to williekay so I will. seems I’m outnumbered; good practice for congress. Who are you guys? as they said in Butch Cassidy.
willykay said:
Que sera, sera. I assume, based on the tenor of your comment, you aren’t interested in being interviewed then?
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