Via Twitter this morning:

Michael Sean Kelley ‏@mskstl
Apparently I will be voting for the NRA endorsed candidate. Not sure that has ever happened for me in the past.
11:22 AM – 6 Sep 2016

A lot of people are saying that this morning.

From Chris Koster’s (D) campaign:

RELEASE: Chris Koster Endorsed by the National Rifle Association
 
St. Louis – Today, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) announced their endorsement of Chris Koster’s campaign for governor. The NRA-PVF cited Attorney General Koster’s longstanding support of Second Amendment rights as the key reason for their endorsement.

Attorney General Koster released the following statement in response to the endorsement.

“I am pleased to receive the endorsement of the NRA. As a rural prosecutor, State Senator, and now as Attorney General, I have long defended Missouri’s hunting heritage and Second Amendment rights. As Governor, I pledge to continue to protect the traditions and values of people across Missouri.”

[….]

Did he have to rub it in?

No surprise here:

Susan Montee well-qualified to be lieutenant governor

Kansas City Star Editorial

Republican Peter Kinder spent his second term as Missouri’s lieutenant governor improperly spending taxpayers’ money for political travel, challenging the federal health reform law in a clumsy lawsuit and getting in trouble with visits to a bawdy nightclub.

No wonder Kinder was unable to put together a campaign for governor. But now he wants to warm the lieutenant governor’s seat for a third term.

Fortunately, voters have a much better option in Democrat Susan Montee.

As a former state auditor, Montee knows every nook and cranny of state government.

She would be eminently qualified to fill in for the governor if needed – which, after all, is the primary function of the office….

….Voters can expect Montee to carry out her duties in a responsible, conscientious way. The same cannot be said for Kinder.

This afternoon the Kansas City Star endorsed Teresa Hensley (D) in her 4th Congressional District race against first term teabagger Vicky Hartzler (r).

Cass County Prosecutor and Democratic Party Candidate in the 4th Congressional District Teresa Hensley

received the endorsement of the Kansas City Star this afternoon.

The Star’s recommendations for U.S. House in Kansas, Missouri

Kansas City Star Editorial

Congress is deadlocked, stymied by partisanship and a big target for voter discontent, expressed in record-low approval ratings. Yet area incumbents likely have the upper hand. It shouldn’t be so in all cases.

Here are The Star’s recommendations for local contested congressional races:

Missouri

4th District

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley, the Democratic challenger, far outclasses Republican incumbent Vicky Hartzler. Voters should evict Hartzler, who in her first term showed no interest in compromise or moderate views.

Hensley has a shot at accomplishing what voters often say they want: Beating an incumbent and offering a thoughtful approach to the nation’s ills. New boundaries stretch the district from Harrisonville to Columbia, and add the more progressive Boone County.

Hensley, of Raymore, emphasizes help for small businesses, including breaks on costly regulations, as the best way to boost job prospects in the largely rural district. Her record as prosecutor speaks well of her ability to pull people together. She’s created child abuse response teams as well as arson and DWI task forces. As she says, prosecutions aren’t partisan, and she pledges to keep that attitude in Congress.

She backs alternative energy efforts, public education improvements and reforms to the tax system, including higher taxes for those who earn more than $1 million.

Hartzler’s family is a long-time recipient of federal farm aid, yet she likes to bash U.S. spending – for others. She’s a tea party voter with no hint of compromising in her future. She’s ducked debate offers and avoids joint appearances. There’s a reason. Hensley’s thoughtful ideas would expose Hartzler’s weaknesses.

Hensley would effectively serve the district formerly represented for decades by Ike Skelton….

[emphasis in original]

“…Teresa Hensley, the Democratic challenger, far outclasses Republican incumbent Vicky Hartzler. Voters should evict Hartzler, who in her first term showed no interest in compromise or moderate views…”

Uh, we knew that a long time ago.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): “No answer given.” (October 19, 2012)

Teresa Hensley (D) in the 4th Congressional District: endorsement by the Columbia Daily Tribune (October 12, 2012)

Ouch. That’s gonna leave a mark. In the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Posted: Sun, Oct. 14, 2012, 3:01 AM

Inquirer Editorial: Obama will do a better job

Like a carnival barker cajoling a mark into spending the last bills in his wallet, the Republican Party is counting on Americans’ not remembering that they’ve seen this trick before.

GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney wants voters to forget their familiarity with the prize he’s dangling before their eyes – a return to the disastrous economic policies that preceded the recession. Given that context, Romney’s prize is no better than a fake pearl….

Though, betting on the long term memory of the American voter is a risky proposition.

The major paper in the largest population center in the 4th Congressional District endorsed Teresa Hensley (D) who is challenging one term incumbent Vicky Hartzler (r) in the November general election.

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley (D) received the endorsement of the Columbia Daily Tribune today in the 4th Congressional District race.

The Tribune’s View

Fourth District

Teresa Hensley vs. Vicky Hartzler

By Henry J. Waters III

Friday, October 12, 2012

One of the season’s easiest endorsements from this corner is for Teresa Hensley in her congressional race against incumbent Vicky Hartzler in the Fourth District.

During her time in the Missouri House of Representatives, the Republican earned the sobriquet “Vicky Von Hartzler” for her far-right positions. Since her election to Congress, she has done nothing to soften that image, remaining a faithful supporter of fringe conservatism. She and Rep. Todd Akin have been birds of a feather….

….On almost any issue, you can find Hartzler is on the extreme right. Certainly her views do not reflect those of most Boone Countians – or even of Mitt Romney.

Hensley is appealing in her own right…she is a moderate law-and-order type with eminent good sense…

….In Teresa Hensley we have a chance to elect a smart moderate who will defend the broad center against the Hartzlers of the world.

Teresa Hensley for Fourth District, U.S. Congress.

HJW III

[emphasis added]

Vicky Hartzler (r) came up empty on the Columbia Daily Tribune endorsement.

Politics makes for some very strange bedfellows:

MNEA Political Action Committee recommends  candidates for the 2012 primary election

At the close of candidate filing in March, local Missouri NEA members began the process of candidate recommendation. Candidates are evaluated through a series of questionnaires and interviews to see if they are a viable candidate who would support and value public education, the rights of school employees and the health and safety of students. After careful review, the MNEA PAC Executive Council has chosen to recommend the following candidates to MNEA members for the Missouri primary election Aug. 7, 2012.

[….]

MO HOUSE District 054 (Warrensburg) Denny Hoskins (R)

[….]

Remember this?:

“Noun, Verb, CPA”: Hoskins (r) mail attack on Cole (D) in the 121st Legislative District race (October 8, 2010)

Denny Hoskins (r-noun, verb, CPA) is the beneficiary of a mail piece attacking Courtney Cole (D) – and just like two years ago it’s paid for by the Missouri republican party, of course….

….And then there’s this disingenuous little gem:

“…Courtney Cole proudly states she is a card-carrying member of a liberal special interest group…”

As the footnote states, she’s a member of the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA). Uh, Courtney Cole is a teacher who works very hard to educate our children. And these republican morons call the MNEA a “liberal special interest group”? That shows the worldview of the Missouri republican party – and they think everyone else is stoopid….

Can you picture the endorsement vetting process? “Uh, about that mailer, I didn’t have anything to do with it (wink, wink, nod, nod), but I sure did benefit from it.”

Maybe it’s eleventh dimensional chess and Missouri NEA has concocted an e-vile plot to neutralize future republican attacks on public sector organized labor by bestowing their endorsement upon them.

Somehow that doesn’t seem like a workable plan.

…because in the end, even if you carry their water for them, they’ll reward you by endorsing your opponent.

Farm Bureau rejects Skelton, endorses Republican for first time in 14 years

By: Darrell Todd Maurina

Posted: Friday, August 20, 2010 9:52 pm

SEDALIA, Mo. (Aug. 20, 2010) – For the first time since the mid-1990s, U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton has lost the endorsement of the Missouri Farm Bureau’s political action committee.

The trustees of Missouri’s 4th Congressional District FARM-PAC announced Friday morning that they’ll be endorsing Vicky Hartzler, a former state representative from Harrisonville, over Skelton…

“…He had a favorable record on voting with ag issues of importance to Farm Bureau. The questions that came up again and again in the discussion was how over the past four years Congressman Skelton has voted like 95 percent of the time with (Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi,” Bassett said…

[emphasis added]

Yeah, Ike Skelton voted for agriculture, but you use a right wingnut front organization’s attack ad talking point to explain your endorsement of a republican? Party hack.

Ah, for the days of hardball politics, when this kind of blatant partisanship at the expense of actual issues was rewarded with a permanent sojourn in the wilderness of irrelevance. “Congressman, Farm Bureau is on the line.” “Put ’em on hold, and leave the phone off the hook.”

Wow. A first since 1908 – the Joplin Globe endorses a Democrat.

Obama’s ability to transcend generational, racial and partisan divisions, his thoughtful approach to weighty issues and message of bipartisanship resonate with many Americans. There are some who see him as simply a gifted speaker, but his words inspire. We believe that Obama can make those words a reality – making “change” more than just a campaign slogan, but a launching point for a brighter future for all Americans.

Today’s Kansas City Star offered a lead editorial endorsing Barack Obama for president:

…A vote for the future

Years of Washington blunders have left the United States struggling both at home and abroad. Both presidential candidates promise change, but Barack Obama is most likely to deliver…

tiny URL

E. Thomas McClanahan, resident dyspeptic defender of the one true republican faith, plaintively begs to differ:

A dissent: When you compare policies, McCain is the reasonable choice

…I haven’t been entirely pleased with McCain’s campaign, which has been uninspired to say the least…

tiny URL

Way to take one for the team, Thom!

Today’s Kansas City Star reports that Congressman Emanuel Cleaver endorsed Hillary Clinton’s candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination.

Cleaver discusses his support for Sen. Clinton [tiny URL]

…Cleaver decided recently to throw his support to Clinton. In fact, Cleaver has decided to serve as co-chairman of Clinton’s presidential campaign in Missouri….

Here’s the campaign press release:

8/21/2007
Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II Endorses Clinton
Cleaver Will Serve as Co-Chair of Missouri Campaign, Faith Steering Committee

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, and named him Co-Chair of Hillary’s Missouri campaign and a Co-Chair of her national Faith Steering Committee.

“Americans are ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver,” Congressman Cleaver said. “Hillary can restore America’s role as a moral leader at home and abroad.”

Cleaver is in his second term in Congress and serves on the exclusive Financial Services Committee and on the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Cleaver is also an ordained Methodist Minister and still serves as Senior Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City.

Prior to his election to Congress, Cleaver served two terms as Mayor of Kansas City, focusing on economic development and job creation. In recognition of his work, Cleaver’s peers chose him as President of the National Conference of Black Mayors for two terms.

Cleaver was first elected to public office in 1979 as a City Councilman in Kansas City. During his 12 year tenure, he served as Mayor Pro Tem and was an active Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee.

“Emanuel has dedicated his life to lifting others up and expanding opportunity for his constituents,” Clinton said. “I am delighted he will help lead our efforts in Missouri and across the country.”

Steve Penn, in the Star continued:

….It was an aggressive and savvy move by Clinton to lock down Cleaver’s support now. It shows that Clinton and her strategists are closely analyzing the political map. They have a big circle around Missouri.

Clinton is well aware of just how much weight Cleaver carries in this part of the country. In fact, his endorsement might be the most crucial of anyone’s in this area.

Clinton realizes that having him guide her politically in Missouri is a huge favor to ask. But if he comes through, his loyalty will be rewarded….

With a February 5th presidential primary Missouri is bound to see some public polls any day now.