As if anyone else thinks the General Assembly would have a clue?

Senator Chuck Purgason (r) introduced SB 861 on February 29th:

SB 861 Creates “The Task Force on Government Continuity”

Sponsor: Purgason

LR Number: 6044S.01I Fiscal Note not available

Committee: General Laws

Last Action: 3/8/2012 – Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee Journal Page: S433

Title: Calendar Position:

Effective Date: Emergency clause

Current Bill Summary

SB 861 – The “Task Force on Government Continuity” is established to study the potential impacts on Missouri from, and preparation of the government and the citizens of Missouri for, a potential disruption of the United States government. The task force is charged with studying the following issues:

• Potential effects of the rapid decline of the United States dollar and the ability to quickly provide an alternative currency;

• Potential effects of a situation in which the federal government has no effective power or authority over the people of the United States;

• Potential effects of a constitutional crisis;

• Coordination between the Governor’s office, Missouri national guard and any federal military in Missouri;

• Potential effects of a disruption in food distribution; and

• Potential effects of a disruption in energy distribution.

The task force shall submit a report containing recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2012.

This act contains an emergency clause.

They left out “zombie apocalypse”. There’s just way too much right wingnut paranoia and delusion to mock.

“…This act contains an emergency clause.”

Really, a jobs bill is impossible for them and they think we’ll be confident in their ability to take over?

Today, according to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dsipatch, we learn that Tea Partier and state senator Chuck Purgason shares progressive concerns about the effort to reallocate the state’s jobs incentives during the upcoming special session of the state legislature. Purgason has offered some alternative legislation since he believes that, “Republicans are always portrayed as taking from the poor and giving to the rich, and we didn’t want to do that.”

Apart from how fiddling with incentives might effect the public’s perception of the GOP, Purgason is right about the substantive issue of harm to the poor – and to be fair, his proposed alternatives are, at first glance at least, interesting. As Matthew Iglesias points out, the progressive Center on Budget and Policy Priorities condemns the proposed Missouri “compromise” incentives legislation, asserting that it will essentially tax the poor to help the rich under the guise of creating jobs:

Killing this tax credit would raise taxes on some of Missouri’s most vulnerable residents by up to $750 a year.  It would also hurt local retailers and other businesses, since low-income people are among those most likely to spend every dollar they have.  That’s not a smart deal for Missouri.

I don’t know if Purgason’s concern with the poor is sincere or not, but I do wonder if he doesn’t experience a little cognitive dissonance when he attempts to reconcile this concern with his other positions. Tea Party poster-boy Purgason went on the record right away in favor of radically cutting government spending. That particular song-and-dance has been getting a trial run during the past several months, and it doesn’t really seem like a winner as far as the economic well-being of the poor goes. Actually, it doesn’t seem to be having much of a beneficial effect for anyone. The chart below, prepared by DailyKos‘ Jed Lewison, shows monthly job figures during 2011, and suggests that while spending cuts hurt the poor directly, they don’t do too much to save or create jobs either:

Given the evidence, I wonder if, since Purgason is concerned about the poor, he will change his tune when it comes to levying draconian spending cuts during a period of high unemployment? Or is he just another one of those GOPers worried abut doing the right thing when the wrong thing is manifestly unpopular at home, but who really couldn’t be more delighted with the result of ideologically driven political strategies, the effect of which Dave Weigel  sums up as follows:

Confidence has collapsed as Washington has gone into the austerity mode that Republicans demanded. The result: Voters think Obama’s screwing up.

A gift to Chuck Purgason, paid for and developed by Joe the Plumber, aka Joe Wurzelbacher, and “friends”, and set to air on cable throughout Missouri until August 3rd:

True, Purgason does seem to be a stand-up fringe-winger, willing to take the crazy as far as it will go, but withal showing a type of integrity – while Blunt is a surely a cynical, get-while-the-getting’s-good kind of guy.  But seriously, is it possible to be so far to the right that one describes Newt Gringrich, Karl Rove and Mike Huckabee, all of whom have endorsed Blunt, as moderates? What does “moderate” mean to Republicans anyway?  Corrupt, maybe?

Afterthought:  It just struck me that the fairy tale format is especially appropriate for the Tea Partiers given their proclivity for fantasy.

Yeah, it looks like we’re gonna get a lot of mileage out of this type of headline during the primary election cycle.

A hat tip for the catch to our good friends at Fired Up.

Sam Wurzelbacher is fast becoming the Energizer Bunny of video political endorsements for non-establishment republican candidates in Missouri. Do you think he has a place at the lake? Just asking.

Sam Wurzelbacher: Hi, this Joe Wurzelbacher. You might know me as Joe the plumber. A few years ago I asked Obama a simple question and he surprisingly gave me a truthful answer that he had every intention of taking money from hard workin’ Americans and and givin’ it to whoever the heck he wanted. Well, ever since then I’ve made it my mission to stop politicians like Obama. Missouri has a choice for U.S. Senate on August third between Washington insider Roy Blunt and a man with character, Chuck Purgason. Chuck Purgason has served in the Missouri House and Senate with integrity. And believe me, it’s not an easy thing to do. He stuck to the budget and saved Missourians over a billion dollars. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself. Go to Purgasonforsenate dot com and see what a real American looks like. Remember, you do have a choice on August third – Washington or a man who’s proven he can be trusted, Chuck Purgason.

Announcer: Paid for by Purgason for U.S. Senate, because integrity really does matter.

Chuck Purgason: I’m Chuck Purgason [and] I approved this message.

Where to start?

“…I asked Obama a simple question and he surprisingly gave me a truthful answer that he had every intention of taking money from hard workin’ Americans and and givin’ it to whoever the heck he wanted…”

Not exactly. Senator John McCain used these words in a presidential debate on October 15, 2008:

“…MCCAIN: You know, when Senator Obama ended up his conversation with Joe the plumber — we need to spread the wealth around. In other words, we’re going to take Joe’s money, give it to Senator Obama, and let him spread the wealth around….

[emphasis added]

Interesting. That was Senator McCain’s spin. And he wasn’t present for the original conversation.

Somebody with a camera was.

Obama said (at the end of the original conversation with Sam Wurzelbacher):

…If you’ve got a plumbing business, uh, you’re gonna be better off if you’ve got a whole bunch of customers who can afford to hire you. And right now everybody’s so pinched that business is bad for everybody and, and I think when you spread the wealth around it’s good for everybody….

[emphasis added]

Back to Senator Chuck Purgason’s (r) campaign video.

“…He stuck to the budget and saved Missourians over a billion dollars…”

Balancing budget is a true group effort

By CHRIS KELLY

Sunday, April 4, 2010

In a recent editorial, Hank Waters wrote “Missouri law demands a strictly balanced budget.” That is not accurate. The Missouri Constitution is vague on the subject – never saying the General Assembly has direct responsibility to balance the budget. Arguably, only the governor has that duty. In practice, though, generations of Missouri legislators have operated on the premise that we all share that responsibility, but it is not explicit in the constitution….

“…see what a real American looks like…”

Wow. And to think that’s all there in one candidate’s campaign website.

Previously: Icet (r), and Schweich(r), and Wurzelbacher, oh my! (June 30, 2010)

Public Policy Polling, 11/13-15, 769 voters

Carnahan (D) 43%

Blunt (R) 42%

Undecided 15%

Blunt 53%

Purgason 16%

Undecided 31%

Carnahan (D) 42%

Purgason (R) 35%

Undecided 23%

More info under the fold

Favorable/Unfavorables

Obama: 43/52

Carnahan: 40/36

Blunt: 30/38

Purgason: 7/14

Congressional Democrats: 27/58

Congressional Republicans: 21/62

“Next year do you think you will vote in the Democratic Primary, the Republican primary, or will you not vote in a primary?”

Democratic 41%, Republican 41%, Not Sure/Won’t Vote 18%

“Do you think that Congressional Democrats are too liberal, too conservative, or about right?”

“Do you think that Congressional Republicans are too liberal, too conservative, or about right?

59% say Dems are too liberal, 29% say Reps are too liberal. 12% say Dems are too conservative, 43% say Reps are too conservative. 29% say that Dems are about right, 28% say that Reps are about right.

During Roy Blunt’s 13 years in Congress do you think he has been part of the problem or part of the solution when it comes to huge deficits and too much government spending?

Problem: 65%

Solution: 35%

If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a Republican, press 2. If you are an independent or identify with another party, press 3.

Democrats: 36%

Republicans: 32%

Independent/Others: 33%

How about some internals?

82% of Dems approve of how Obama’s doing his job, 88% of Reps disapprove of Obama’s job performance, Indys split 59/32 unfavorable. Obama’s best demo is 18-29 (46/44) and his worst is 65+ (57/37). 816 (KC area) and 314 (STL) approve of Obama, the rest disapprove by 30 points or more.

53% of Republicans view Blunt favorably, 53% of Democrats view Blunt unfavorably, with 30%+ unsure on both sides. Indies split 44/23 unfavorable. Blunt doesn’t top 32% amongst any age demo. Amongst 417 (SW MO) respondents, Blunt has 38% favorability and 38% of people viewing him unfavorably. Yes, amongst his “base”, for every person who likes him, someone dislikes him.

67% of Republicans view Carnahan unfavorably, 74% of Democrats view Carnahan favorably. Indies split 40/33 unfavorable. Carnahan’s best Demo is 46-65. The least certain demo is 18-29 (37% unsure). Robin has a positive with 314 and 816, and is within 10 with 660 respondents.

82% of Republicans picked Blunt, 83% of Democrats picked Carnahan. Indies split 44/32 Blunt. Carnahan wins 18-29 and 46-65. Carnahan wins 314 and 816, Blunt wins 417, 573 and 636 by 15+. Blunt wins 660 by a 42/35 margin.

10% of McCain voters will vote in the Democratic primary, 5% of Obama voters will vote in the Republican primary. (originally I did McCain/Obama splits before getting to the DRIs and editing. But this is more interesting than the DRI split here)

Blunt beats Purgason, 61/10 amongst Republicans and loses Democrats who got lost and who’d vote in a Republican primary, while winning 37/24 amongst Independents.

60% of Democrats view Congressional Democrats favorably, 94% of Republicans view Congressional Democrats unfavorably. Indies split 66/17 unfavorable. 40% of 18-29 view them favorably, and every other Demo is baaad for the Congressional Democrats. Only 314 respondents view Congressional Dems favorably.

44% of Republicans view Congressional Republicans unfavorably, 38% of Republicans view Congressional Republicans favorably. 79% of Democrats view Congressional Republicans unfavorably. Indies split 68/14 unfavorable. 18-29% is 30% favorable, 65+ is 53% unfavorable, the best showings for the Grand Obstructionist Party. 417 respondents had a 20% net unfavorable, a high for the Republicans.

57% of Democrats think Congressional Democrats are just right. 21% say too conservative. 22% say too liberal. 91% of Republicans say Congressional Democrats are too liberal. 46-65 are the best demo for “just right”.

50% of Republicans think that Congressional Republicans are just right, and 38% think that Congressional Republicans are too liberal. 73% of Democrats say that Congressional Republicans are too conservative. 36% of 18-29s say that Congressional Republicans are too liberal, compared to 35% in that demo..

36% of Republicans think that Blunt’s part of the problem, to go along with 83% of Democrats. But 48% of McCain voters think that Blunt is part of the problem. 74% of Indies think that Blunt is part of the problem.. Around 73% of voters from 18 to 45 think Blunt is part of the problem.

And how about some maps?

Roy v. Robin

Obama’s job approval

Blunt, problem or solution?

Conclusions

1) Robin Carnahan has some room to expand amongst some favorable demographics (18-29).

2) Roy Blunt’s base likes him as much as base Republicans liked John McCain.

3) Nobody know who Chuck Purgason is, but his polling numbers exceed his name recognition.

4) People in the KC and STL areas still like Democrats.

5) Roy Blunt is a Washington Insider who is part of the reason for the problems we’re seeing today, and people at least see his time as a GOP leader as a problem.

6) Independent voters don’t like anybody.

7) Congress isn’t popular. Good luck to any current Congressmen who were Republican leaders on selling themselves as outsiders.

State Senator Chuck Purgason:

Last night Purgason sent a statement via fax announcing he is setting up an exploratory committee for the race. He took aim at his own party.

“I think that my own Party bears some blame for many of the things that are happening today,” Purgason said. “We have forgotten our values, what we stand for, and what made us a great nation. In the past few years, the leaders we sent to Washington did not stand up for our values of smaller government and more freedoms but instead became part of the problem rather than the solution. As a result, we have become a Party without a true base and a vacancy in real leadership.”

(snip)

Purgason also criticized the president for trying to “change” America.

“We must stop the “changing” of America and fight for the renewal of America and the dreams we share as Americans,” he said