Previously:

Jackson County Democratic Committee – Truman Days 2015

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) spoke at the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s Truman Days dinner in Kansas City on Saturday night. He spoke about his campaign for the United States Senate  

The transcript:

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D): It is so good to be with you all, it is so good to be to be home in Jackson County. I appreciate the opportunity to be home and with so many of my friends here. This is so much a trip home for me, believe it or not, this is actually the room where I went to my Senior prom. [laughter]

No kidding. I married my date, by the way. So, it is fantastic to be with you here.

Before I get into talking a little bit about this race for the US Senate, there’s something else I wanted to do real quick.Next week in Jefferson City is a pretty important week, right? It’s the last week of session and we know that the other side is gonna try very hard to pass right to work, right? we know that. We know that we’ve stopped them in the past and we’re gonna stop them again. But let me tell you, make no mistake, they really, particularly on right to work, they believe that this is their year. They do. They believe that they’re gonna get it done and we’re not gonna let that happen. [applause]

It is wrong to try to take away people’s rights, as a way to take away their voice. I wanna do something real quick, if you’re a member of the state legislature, please stand up and stay standing. Everybody look around, go ahead and applaud. [applause]

Everybody look and figure out of the people standing right now, which one is closest to you, because when the program is over, I would ask you to go to these folks and thank them in advance for the work that they’re gonna do next week and I would ask you to give them a word of encouragement, because they’re on the front lines of this and they’re gonna stop this from happening. [applause]

Now, I wanna spend a few moments telling you why I’m running for the United States Senate and how I’m gonna win. You all know me, we’ve spent a lot of time together, you know my history, you know my background. So let me just talk a little bit about the mentality I take to this, the mentality I take to public service. Mike [Sanders] referenced what I did in the Army, referenced that I served in Afghanistan and that is where I come from on a lot of this stuff. Because when you’re in the Army, you don’t have the luxury of worrying about what assignment you’re given, or how difficult the job is, you just get it done, you just accomplish the mission. That, for me, is the mentality I’ve taken to public service.

As a State Representative, I worked with Democrats and Republicans to balance the budget each year without raising taxes. I took on both parties to pass the first campaign finance and ethics reforms in Missouri in over 20 years. I took our Human trafficking laws from some of the weakest to some of the strongest in the country.

As your Secretary of State, I slashed my own budget by over a million dollars while still providing more services than the office ever has before. I have cut red tape and fees to make sure that Missouri businesses could continue to hire and thrive. I’ve protected our right to vote and I brought tens of millions of dollars back to Missouri taxpayers when I took on the Wall Street firms that helped cause the 2008 Financial Crisis. [applause]

So I could have run for re-election and continued to work on those important issues. I didn’t have to run for the United States Senate. Heck, even the Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party said that I was a pretty safe bet for re-election. But, I was raised a certain way and I learned in the Army, that you don’t do what’s easy, you do what’s right. And Washington is completely broken right now. I believe I can be part of the solution to help fix it. [applause]

That’s why this election is gonna be about one very simple question: “Do you like how things are going in Washington right now?”

[“NOO”]

I, for one, am among the 85 percent of Americans who don’t approve of Congress and I intend to do something about it. Because the Senators there, they need to stop legislating by talking points. They need to quit playing political games with our national security. And they need to learn that because half of them are millionaires doesn’t mean that millionaires are the only people that they represent. [applause]

I’m not saying that the Senators out there are bad people. I’m just saying that too many of them have forgotten where they came from in the first place. When politicians have been in Washington for 10, 15, 20 years, and they’ve served in both the House and the Senate, Washington becomes their home. That’s where their friends are, that’s where their kids go to school, that’s where they build their lives. When you have a multi-million dollar mansion in Washington DC, i’m sure it could be hard to leave, right? and when you’ve taken over a 100 flights on corporate jets, you probably don’t get as excited as the rest of us do when you get offered both peanuts and pretzels on Southwest flights. [laughter]

I’m still very excited about that. So it’s pretty easy to see how so many members of Congress can completely lose touch with where it is that they came from in the first place, but that doesn’t make it right. Because we don’t send Senators to Washington so they could vote with their party nearly 90 percent of the time, we send them there to vote with Missouri 100 percent of the time. [applause]

We don’t send Senators to Washington so they can get rich, we send them there so they can fight to protect the ability of middle class Missourians to provide for their families and make ends meet. And We don’t send Senators to Washington so they can climb the leadership ladder of their political party as fast as possible. We send them there to take on their party bosses when they need to. That’s why we send them there. [applause]

We deserve an independent minded Senator who will stand up for Missouri every minute of every day. Senator Blunt has been in Washington so long that he just can’t do that anymore. Washington has become his home. Lobbyists and his political party have become his constituents. Folks, that doesn’t make him a bad person, but that doesn’t make him a good Senator either.

Senator Blunt votes with his party more than the average Republican and he misses more votes than the average Senator. And when he does bother to show up and vote, he doesn’t stand up for us here in Missouri, not at all. He’s just simply not the same person who was elected Greene County Clerk or Missouri Secretary of State any more. He has been representing Washington instead of Missouri for a long time now.

I wanna give you a just few examples of how poorly he has represented us so far this year. Keep in mind, it’s only May as you listen to this list.

He’s one of five Senators to vote against confirming the Secretary of Defense. He voted against funding the department of Homeland Security. He signed to that embarrassing letter to the Government of Iran that made it more likely that Iran would get a nuclear weapon. He voted against a Middle Class tax cut. He voted to end Medicare as we know it.

A couple of weeks ago, he suggested that the reason that some students have trouble with debt when they get out of school is not the loans themselves, it’s not tuition, it’s simply their lifestyle while they’re in college. He recently said that he was unclear on the scientific causes of climate change even though 97 percent of scientists say that they’re pretty sure that human beings probably have something to do with it.

So, instead of being a leader who pushes Congress to actually represent Missourians, he’s become a part of the problem, and he’s actually made Washington worse. So, you can see that the folks making decisions in DC right now, they’re not doing a good job. So, it is time for the next generation to step up and take the lead in shaping the direction of this nation and this state. And with your help, I’ll do that as your United States Senator. [applause]

I think that we need a Senator who thinks it’s wrong that somebody can work 40 hours a week and have to rely on food stamps to order to survive because the Minimum Wage isn’t a livable wage. We need a Senator who thinks it’s wrong that a woman can work the just same exact same job as a man and on average get paid 79 cents on the dollar for doing the same exact job. [applause]

And finally, we need a Senator who thinks it’s wrong to try and take away Medicare from our parents and our grandparents.

Folks, Roy Blunt isn’t that Senator. But with your help, I will be.

I’m running to be Missouri’s Senator. To stand up for the middle class, not millionaires, huge corporations, and lobbyists. I’m running to be a Senator who tells DC that compromise is a part of Democracy and not the enemy of it, and I’m running to be a Senator who leads by example, not one that becomes part of the problem. [applause]

I’m a fifth-generation Missourian and I promise you that I will never forget where I came from. And you have heard a lot of politicians say things like that, so let me finish my speech by offering you just a little bit of proof.

I actually went to college out in DC before my wife Diana joined me out there for law school. We graduated on a Sunday, and the next morning, we got in our jeep and we drove back to Missouri. We were so excited to move home to Kansas City that we drove straight through the night, 18 hours. So I can promise you that if elect me as Missouri’s next Senator, you’ll never lose me to Washington.

Thank you! [applause]

The Jackson County Democratic Committee is holding its annual Truman Days celebration this weekend. The festivities at the Adam’s Mark in Kansas City started last night with the food and informal social atmosphere of the hospitality suites. Candidates, Democratic Party activists, and anyone in attendance have an opportunity to introduce themselves to each other, renew acquaintances, visit, and talk about campaigns and politics in Missouri.  

Democratic Party activists visiting in the hallway.

Jim White (D), candidate in the 4th Congressional District, speaking with Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D).

Jim White (D) to challenge Vicky Hartzler (r) in the 4th Congressional District (February 1, 2015)

Jim White (D) in the 4th Congressional District: speaking out (February 12, 2015)

Jim White (D) at the Back to Blue Dinner in Cass County – April 25, 2015 (April 27, 2015)

St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman (D), a candidate for Attorney General.

There is another (January 27. 2015)

Campaign Finance: also in under the wire (April 1, 2015)

Campaign Finance: now that’s personal commitment (April 2, 2015)

Sandy Querry, Democratic National Committee member from Missouri.

Senator Scott Sifton (D), a candidate for Attorney General.

Sen. Scott Sifton (D): running for Attorney General in 2016 (November 10, 2014)

Campaign Finance: the long road to 2016 (November 12, 2015)

Sen. Scott Sifton (D) at the Back to Blue Dinner in Cass County – April 25, 2015 (April 28, 2015)

Pat Contreras (D), a candidate for State Treasurer.

Pat Contreras (D) a candidate for State Treasurer in 2016 (April 13, 2015)

Senator Paul LeVota (D).

The speakers scheduled at tonight’s dinner include Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Secretary of State Jason Kander, Attorney General Chris Koster, and keynote speaker Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.  

Previously: Truman Days 2014 in Kansas City – Friday night (May 31, 2014)

We’ve been covering the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s annual Truman Days celebration at the Holiday Inn Coco Key in Kansas City this weekend. Last night’s speakers at the Truman Days gala dinner included Representative Emanuel Cleaver, Attorney General Chris Koster, and keynote speaker, Representative Linda Sanchez.

State Senator Scott Sifton (left) and William Grimes, the Democratic Party candidate in the 57th Legislative District (right).

Former Governor Roger Wilson.

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver.

Senator Harold Caskey and Kay Caskey at Truman Days in Kansas City. Senator Caskey and Senator Ed Quick

were awarded the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s 2014 Senator Ronnie DePasco Public Service Award.

Attorney General Chris Koster.

Representative Linda Chavez Sanchez, the keynote speaker for the evening.

We’re covering the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s annual Truman Days celebration at the Holiday Inn Coco Key in Kansas City this weekend. On Friday night it’s an opportunity for candidates, their supporters, and activists to meet each other and talk about their campaigns and the political landscape in Missouri.

Winston Apple, a Democratic Party candidate in the 29th Legislative District.

Patty Johnson, the Democratic Party candidate in the 56th Legislative District.

Understandably there’s a strong presence from organized labor at Truman Days.

Getting a living wage is not a zero sum game.

Bill Hedge, a Democratic Party candidate in the 6th Congressional District.

State Senator Scott Sifton (D).

Proud to be union – and a veteran.

Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders (D).

This evening speakers at the Truman Days gala will include Representative Emanuel Cleaver, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, Secretary of State Jason Kander, Attorney General Chris Koster, Governor Jay Nixon and keynote speaker, Representative Linda Sanchez.  

“….the greatest integrative force in this country has been our public education system. The greatest integrative value developing part of this country has been our education system. And we need to strengthen that. As a new demography comes in there has to be a touchstone, an American touchstone that translates and brings to that accommodation who we are as a nation, what our values are, and what it means to be an American. I learned that in school, I learned it from my family. And we cannot rob the next two or three generations of the opportunity in our school system to become fully empowered and American like the rest of us. [applause]….”

Previously:

That’s Liza with a Z, not Lisa with an S… (May 18, 2013)

Truman Days in Jackson County – 2013 (May 18, 2013)

Truman Days 2013 – Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – Breakfast Keynote – May 18, 2013 (May 19, 2013)

Truman Days 2013 – Attorney General Chris Koster – May 18, 2013 (May 20, 2013)

Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva (D) was the keynote speaker at the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s Truman Days dinner in Kansas City on Saturday night.

Representative Raul Grijalva (D) was the keynote speaker at the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s

annual Truman Days dinner in Kansas City on May 18, 2013.

Part 1:

Part 2:

“… I go, you know, Pops, why with the union, you know? And I’m speaking more for myself. Why do I have to come? But he took it as a question directed at him, like I do at the union. And I think that’s been kind of a guiding principle since he said that. He said to me, you know…on the job they can work me like a dog. But with the union they have to treat me like a man. [applause, cheers]… “

“….Social change is not neatly packaged into four and eight year increments.  The fact that, the, the fact that Jolie Justus moved the mountain is proof that mountains can be moved….”

Previously:

That’s Liza with a Z, not Lisa with an S… (May 18, 2013)

Truman Days in Jackson County – 2013 (May 18, 2013)

Truman Days 2013 – Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – Breakfast Keynote – May 18, 2013 (May 19, 2013)

Attorney General Chris Koster (D) at the annual Truman Days dinner sponsored by the

Jackson County Democratic Committee in Kansas City on May 18, 2013.

Attorney General Chris Koster (D) spoke at the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s Truman Days dinner in Kansas City on Saturday night. He spoke on Senator Jolie Justus (D) and the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act:

Attorney General Chris Koster (D):  [on cell phone] Are you there? All right.

So, when I learned that, uh, Senator [Jolie] Justus was not gonna be in attendance tonight because she is on her way to, I think, Turkey,  I stepped outside and I called her and I said, Oh my gosh, where are you, my speech is about you. [laughter] And, uh, so with the help of Jeremy LaFaver, uh, we called Jolie and Jolie is right there. The telephone is one, she can hear us. [laughter] So, good evening, it’s, it’s great to be [cheers, applause]…

First of all, it’s great to be back with Kansas City’s Democrats. Uh, where are my Cass County people? [cheers] All right. An unheralded minority. [laughter]

Well, another legislative session is behind us, has come and gone. And it is my ninth, believe it or not, in Jefferson City. And over time you learn the rhythms of the legislative session. First, what happens is that it appears that the world is going to come to an end as we know it. [laughter] Threats and compromises lead to frustration. But occasional victories do occur. And then, mercifully, at six p.m. on the first Friday after the second Monday in May, it all suddenly stops. We’d all shake hands and shake our heads, we’d go home to different town across this great state, and in the days that followed we asked ourselves whether Missouri is a better place for our efforts.

Occasionally there are legislative accomplishments that end with important laws, and front page stories in the Kansas City Star, and bill signings in the Governor’s office, and conversations in barber shops across Missouri about how much better off or worse off we are because of those damn politicians. [laughter]  But there are other kinds of legislative accomplishments that go largely unnoticed. They end with no new law being passed, no entry in the statute books, or water cooler debate. And while historically and culturally important, they are, none the less, completely missed by this morning’s [Kansas City] Star and nearly every other news outlet in Missouri. Yet because of these unnoticed accomplishments we ask, when we ask ourselves whether Missouri is a better place for our efforts our answer is a resounding yes.

I swear to you on the twenty years of my life that I have dedicated to this profession one of those largely unnoticed acts that ranks among the most impressive legislative accomplishments that I have ever seen occurred last night just before dinner. And I want to take a minute with you tonight to respect it. Last night at five forty-five p.m.  with fifteen minutes left in the legislative, legislative session of two thousand and thirteen Senator Jolie Justus passed the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act. [applause, cheers] It was an attempt to make it illegal to fire someone simply because they are gay, to make it illegal to refuse to rent a hotel room to someone simply because they are gay. She passed it through the floor of the Missouri Senate. Unfortunately there was not time left to pass it through the House floor on the other side of the Capitol and so it did not become law. But the fact that here, in our home of Missouri, such a measure was taken up in an overwhelmingly Republican Senate and passed by a vote of nineteen to eleven is deserving of extraordinary respect and recognition.  The vote itself has been years in the making. And the efforts of Senator Joan Bray should not go unrecognized tonight. [applause]

The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, or MONA as it is called, has been filed every year for over a decade. For many years the legislature would not even give it a committee hearing. Then, about five years ago the Senate and the House began giving the bill committee hearings, but never considered it, passing it, never considered passing it out of committee or bringing it to the floor.

Last night in the Missouri Senate was the first time that MONA was ever given serous floor time in either chamber, the first time it was ever given a recorded vote in either chamber, and the first time it was ever passed in either chamber.  Every Democrat in the Senate voted in favor of it.  And so to Senators [applause]… And so to Senators Justus, Chappelle-Nadal, Curls, Holsman, Keaveny, LeVota, McKenna, Nasheed, Sifton and Walsh we say thank you. [applause, cheers]  And to nine Republicans, Senators Dempsey, Kehoe, Parson, Pearce, Romine, Sater, Schaaf, Silvey and Wallingford we say thank you as well. [applause]

The importance of human relationships in politics never ever ceases to awe me. If you look at the seating chart of the floor of the Missouri Senate you will notice that Republican Senators Sater, Pierce, Wallingford and Dempsey all sit in close proximity to Senator Justus. And as someone who spent four years on that floor I can attest to you that the respect and cooperation that comes from mere proximity is strong.

Other stories of bipartisan relationships are every bit as important but will not ever be found in the recorded vote. Senator Ed Emery, an opponent of the bill who could have ended the bill’s chances with the shortest filibusters allowed the measure to be brought to a vote.  Senator Ron Richard, the majority floor leader and an opponent of the bill, twice gave the bill valuable floor time on the last critical day of session.  And Senator Brad Lager, another opponent of the bill, allowed his own bill, his own piece of legislation, to be overlaid with Senator Justus’ substitute language so that a measure to grant equality in hiring and housing could be given a chance.

All of these things, seen and unseen, happened because of Senator Jolie Justus and the other members of the Democratic caucus, because of the relationships that they have forged, and ultimately, because of the inherent dignity of their cause.

The Democratic caucus teases me sometimes because as an old timer and an alumnus of the Missouri Senate I place undue emphasis on each of them referring to one another in, at least in formal settings and public settings, by their formal, formal titles. They are Senators. They should refer to one another as such.  They represent the hopes and aspirations of hundreds of thousands of people. And yesterday afternoon under the leadership of an extraordinary woman they lived up to the titles we have given them.

About five years ago, I was at Black Tie, which is a gay and lesbian dinner held every year in Springfield, Missouri. And one of the things in my opinion that makes Black Tie sort of a unique event is that, unlike the HRC annual dinner in St. Louis or even the Victory Fund brunch here in Kansas City, which are both LGBT events, the Black Tie dinner has a surprisingly high number of straight attendees every year from the general community, and the business community and even actually from the religious community. Which when you consider that the dinner is held in Springfield, Missouri [laughter], I think actually breaks down stereotypes, certain stereotypes, in a very positive way.

Anyway, here’s what struck me about this dinner five years ago. About half way through the night the master of ceremonies of the event asked everyone who was gay in the room to stand, which is how I knew that there were a lot of straight people in the room. [laughter] And then the MC asked all the people who were standing to give what essentially became a standing ovation to all of the straight allies who were there sharing the dinner with them that night. And it really, it really hit me. And it’s something that I’ve remembered in kind of profound way for the last five years, which is this concept of straight allies and the fact that I, along with all of other people who were there that night, were being thanked for being one of them.  First of all, not that’s its really that important, I really appreciated being thanked.  Second, this term straight ally made me realize, maybe for the first time, that I was being thanked by the LGBT community for being more than an attendee, more than a sympathizer or a friend, I was being thanked for being something called a straight ally. And that gratitude, that acknowledgement that our effort as straight allies is a critical component to this progress, which was an important moment for me as a person, I suppose also as a political figure too, but more importantly for me as a person.

Jolie Justus has been a Senator on behalf of the State of Missouri for seven years.  She is a woman in an institution that is predominantly male. She is gay in a legislative body that is thirty three thirty-fourths straight. [laughter]  She is the first openly gay member of the Missouri Senate. What happened last night is evidence that sometimes the most impressive legislative work is the quiet and slow procession of a river that over time can move shorelines of prejudice. What happened last night was the result of woman’s grace and patience and gentle advocacy that was so subtle that few even knew over those seven years that it was occurring.  What happened last night was that for the first time straight allies, many of whom were Republicans, came out of their straight ally closets and were counted when they did not have to be.  [applause]

As though we needed another example of the bad and unintended consequences of term limits we can add this to the mounting litany, profound social change does not occur on a legislative calendar.  Social change is not neatly packaged into four and eight year increments. The fact that, the, the fact that Jolie Justus moved the mountain is proof that mountains can be moved.  The fact that term limits may rob this woman of a chance to complete our journey together, that we are more likely to lose our way without her than with her, is just the one hundredth reason why this term limits law should change. [applause]

But that is for another day.  For tonight let me just say that Senator Jolie Justus, in her seven years of representing us, has given Democrats and Missourians a reason to believe that our government can work.

Thank you. [applause]

That’s the kind of speech a governor makes.

Previously:

That’s Liza with a Z, not Lisa with an S… (May 18, 2013)

Truman Days in Jackson County – 2013 (May 18, 2013)

“….The United State of America, arguably the greatest empire ever to exist on this planet, hasn’t had a budget in four years. No energy policy whatsoever. No jobs bill whatsoever.  We still have seven point five unemployment, thirteen point three, Black, and thirteen point one Latino. Unemployment. And we’re voting on the Affordable Care Act. The week before the big deal was helium. Helium. I’m for kids and the balloons, but [laughter] we, we got major issues. We don’t even have an agricultural or, or farm bill after the worst drought since the dust bowl. No, no, no farm bill. And we’re voting on the Affordable Care Act….”

We’ve been covering the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s annual Truman Days celebration at the Holiday Inn Coco Key in Kansas City this weekend. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) was the Keynote speaker for the Saturday morning breakfast.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) at Truman Days in Kansas City – May 18, 2013.

Part 1:

“….We probably lost Texas either for the last time, uh, or we may, they refocus and they may have one more chance at it. And it’s, it’s gonna be blue [cheers, applause]. And that is why they are, are so ignorant about. I saw one of my colleagues as I was sitting off, yesterday, uh, waiting, uh, to be picked up to go to the airport. And he’s on the floor, uh, talking about immigration. He’s from Iowa, uh, Congressman, uh, King. And, uh, and I’m thinking I want to take this and send it to everybody in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico….”

Part 2:

Part 3:

Previously:

That’s Liza with a Z, not Lisa with an S… (May 18, 2013)

We’re covering the Jackson County Democratic Committee annual Truman Days celebration at the Holiday Inn Coco Key in Kansas City this weekend. Last night the hospitality suites were open:

Jessica Podhola  (right), Executive Director of the Jackson County Democratic Committee.

Working people!

You got that right.

Judy Baker.

A young Democrat.

Crystal Williams, President of the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus

Tonight the featured speaker is U.S. Representative, Congressman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona. Other scheduled speakers include Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, Secretary of State Jason Kander, and Attorney General Chris Koster.

We’re covering the Jackson County Democratic Committee annual Truman Days celebration at the Holiday Inn Coco Key in Kansas City this weekend.

Last night we visited the hospitality suites and visited with old friends. The food is good, too.

A pseudonymous (left) and an anonymous (right), albeit quasi famous Twitter denizen, political bloggers.

“Who are you with?” “Progress Missouri?” “Uh, no, we’re Show Me Progress.”

“Are You Sean?” “Uh, no.”

Either the other photo didn’t turn out, or the editor controls the camera memory card. You pick.

Heh.

Previously:

Truman Days in Kansas City – 2012 – photos (May 12 2012)

Truman Days in Kansas City – 2012 – photos – part 2 (May 13, 2012)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) at Truman Days in Kansas City – 2012 (May 13, 2012)

“…Somebody needs to stand up for people who are being pushed down. And organized labor has done it and the Democratic Party has a history of standing up for people who are being pushed around. That’s why I’m a Democrat…”

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) speaking at the at the Jackson County

Democratic Committee’s Truman Days dinner in Kansas City on May 12, 2012.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D): ….And what I want you to understand is our party is the party that it is because we stand with working class people. We stand with working people who get up every day and make this country run. Did you know that we wouldn’t even have a middle class but for organized labor. [voice: “That’s right.”][applause] No middle class in this country. [applause] And we have people getting up every single day, every single day with their number one goal to dismantle organized labor. That’s what they want to do. They don’t want labor to have a voice…

…We’ve lived in those times when we didn’t have a voice. Nineteen twenty-five, four o’clock in the afternoon a fire breaks out at the shirtwaist factory in New York City. When the smoke clears forty-six women and children are dead, most of them piled up in the elevator shaft. Two fifteen year old Jewish girls, immigrants, jumped eight stories down to their death. The doors were locked, they couldn’t get out. Organized labor stopped that. And this is before CNN, seventy thousand people gathered the next week to protest what was going on.

Now, look, we understand that we need organized labor and we need to support ’em and, and I do it unashamedly without any reservations because I understand clearly that but for organized labor African Americans would not have been able to progress to the middle class.  My grandpa [inaudible] was a cook on the railroad and was able to join the union early on, the sleeping car porters, so that he could create a middle class attitude and atmosphere in the house that raised my father and his two brothers.

And so, understand that this is going to be a battle and it’s not over. And we’re going to win. There’s no question about that. [applause] And if we can, if we can somehow create an awareness of what’s going on, do you know that the big five oil companies earned last year one hundred and thirty-seven billion dollars in profits. And Congress, the House of Representatives, six weeks ago voted for a four billion dollar subsidy. [pause] And they’re not even embarrassed. The five top hedge fund managers earned four billion dollars each, average. And then, paid a fifteen percent tax when you are paying thirty percent. They paid fifteen capital gains and dividends tax.

And we are going to have the gall to attack organized labor? Somebody needs to stand up for people who are being pushed down. And organized labor has done it and the Democratic Party has a history of standing up for people who are being pushed around. That’s why I’m a Democrat. [applause] [cheers] I’ll remain a Democrat for the rest of my life because I will never remain silent or passive when people are being pushed down. [cheers][applause] And we ought to stand up as Democrats and be proud of who we are. We are Democrats. We are not people trying to make people rich, we are Democrats. [cheers][applause]

And speaking of Democrats. [laughter] We cannot even think about allowing the unthinkable to even almost happen. We absolutely must elect again our senator. [applause] [cheers] She is the obvious choice. I’m not, I’m not mad at these other people. [laughter] I don’t, I don’t know them, they probably take care of their, their homes, they, you know, [inaudible] and so forth and take care of animals and so forth. I’m not mad at them. [laughter] I’m not mad at them. But what I am is a realist. And I understand that if we don’t get Claire McCaskill back in the U.S. Senate [applause], not only does Missouri suffer, but the whole country suffers. [applause] We cannot turn the U.S. Senate over to the Republicans. [applause] And everybody in here needs to recommit themselves to getting Claire McCaskill back in the United States senate where she belongs. [cheers][applause] Claire McCaskill, our senator. Claire McCaskill [cheers][applause]….