Seriously?

Posted on Advocate.com  June 09, 2010

Skelton on DADT: What About the Kids?

By Michelle Garcia

Missouri Democratic congressman Ike Skelton says the military should retain the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly so parents can avoid talking to their children about homosexuality.

Skelton, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has been a vocal opponent of the move to end “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Skelton told reporters Tuesday that the repeal could put parents in the position of talking to their curious children about being gay.

“What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?” he asked, according to CBS News.

As somebody on a blog somewhere commented (paraphrase): “Now we’re basing national policy on the opinions of seven year old kids?”

Okay, given the republican minority’s behavior in Congress I may need to rephrase that question.

My guess is that most seven year olds don’t care.

Congressman Ike Skelton (D – MO)

Apparently, for Congressman Ike Skelton (D), it is.

I just called his Washington office and the nice person on the other end of the phone, in response to my question, “Now that Congressman Stupak is supporting the health care reform bill, will Congressman Skelton vote for it?,” responded, “No…”

Remember this, from 1993?:

…The turning point for Margolies-Mezvinsky came when she made a last-minute switch to support the 1993 Clinton budget after months of publicly voicing her opposition to the bill because it did not contain enough spending cuts. During her campaign, she had promised not to raise taxes, and the budget proposed a hike in federal taxes, including a gasoline tax. On the day of the vote, she appeared on television and told her constituents that she was against the budget. Minutes before the vote, however, on August 5, 1993, President Clinton called to ask Margolies-Mezvinsky to support the measure. She told him that only if it was the deciding vote-in this case, the 218th yea-would she support the measure. “I wasn’t going to do it at 217. I wasn’t going to do it at 219. Only at 218, or I was voting against it,” she recalled. She also extracted a promise from Clinton that if she did have to vote for the budget package, that he would attend a conference in her district dedicated to reducing the budget deficit. He agreed (and later fulfilled the pledge). Nevertheless, Margolies-Mezvinsky told Clinton “I think I’m falling on a political sword on this one.” When she finally walked onto the House Floor to cast the decisive vote, passing the measure 218 to 216, Democrats cheered while Republicans jeered, “Goodbye, Marjorie!” She later recalled that “I knew at the time that changing my vote at the 11th hour may have been tantamount to political suicide…. [but] the vote would resolve itself into one simple question: Was my political future more important than the agenda the President had laid out for America?”…

[emphasis added]

A freshman legislator had to be the deciding vote while long time (and safer) incumbents couldn’t exhibit any political courage.

You know, we elect people to office to make the right decisions, not to be frightened by half truths, opposition distortions, the propaganda arm of the rnc, or crazy people. It’s not supposed to be too much to ask to do the right thing. But, apparently, it is in Missouri.

I expressed my extreme disappointment to that nice person on the other end of the phone.

Yesterday, from a republican member of the House in the Missouri General Assembly at the opening of debate on HJR 48, 50 & 57 (a republican sponsored state constitutional amendment nullifying federal health care reform legislation):

…Mister Speaker, Democrats now, across the country are rising in support of the “health care freedom acts.” They are speaking out in op, they are speaking out in opposition to the federal plans…Representative, our own Representative Ike Skelton, here in Missouri, voted against the House version of the federal takeover earlier this year. And just today, this morning on the radio Congressman Skelton said, that what they are doing currently in DC on their proposed violations of various Congressional rules is an abomination…

I’m not particularly impressed with a republican legislator attributing inflammatory language on the part of any Democrat in support of a bogus republican agenda. Though, to be clear, Congressman Skelton (D) issued a statement in November explaining why he did not support the health care reform bill.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce issued a publication today showing Benefits of Health Care Reform, District by District Impact. “The Committee has prepared, for all 435 congressional districts, a district-level analysis of the impact of health care reform legislation. This analysis includes information on the impact of the legislation on families, small businesses, seniors in Medicare, health care providers, and the uninsured.” [you can check out the numbers for each congressional district in the nation]:

March 2010

The Benefits of Health Care Reform

In the 4th Congressional District of Missouri [pdf]

Committee on Energy and Commerce

The U.S. House of Representatives will soon vote on health care reform legislation. This legislation will make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and guarantee access to health insurance for the uninsured – while reducing the federal deficit by over $100 billion over the next decade. This analysis examines the benefits of the legislation in the 4th Congressional District of Missouri, which is represented by Rep. Ike Skelton.

In Rep. Skelton’s district, the health care reform bill will:

• Improve coverage for 390,000 residents with health insurance.

• Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 187,000 families and 14,900 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

• Improve Medicare for 120,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.

• Extend coverage to 55,500 uninsured residents.

• Guarantee that 11,400 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

• Protect 1,200 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

• Allow 53,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.

• Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 13 community health centers.

• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $74 million annually…

[emphasis in original]

Using the language of a republican member of the Missouri House – 55,000 uninsured individuals in the 4th Congressional District is indeed an abomination.

Former state representative Gene Lang (r) (who was defeated by Democratic challenger Deleta Williams in 1990) had a letter to the editor in today’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:

With 20 years legislative experience, I cringe when I hear the term, “up or down.” The legislative process is a messy maze of rules that take divergent people and allow them to pass laws that reasonably govern all. True, you can’t turn the world upside down in a year, but most would agree that is a good thing. When the term up or down is used, someone is trying to force something down the throat of the taxpayer, and the reason for that is that it hasn’t been worked through properly, or even worse, it doesn’t carry the support of the voters…

Uh, I don’t recall a similar letter to the editor when republicans used the same terminology.

…There is plenty of health care reform that could, and should, be quickly agreed to by rational legislators, but those weren’t allowed to be pursued…

Uh, who said what? “If we’re able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.”

What color is the sky in your world? Rational republican legislators? I spent the day in Jefferson City today and listened to republican tenthers in debate. That ain’t rational.

…moderates like our own Ike Skelton…

Really? You didn’t get the memo, did you?

There’s no such thing as a “moderate” republican anymore.

A look at Vicky Hartzler’s (r) fundraising in the 4th Congressional District republican primary via the Federal Election Commission.

Previously:

Bill Stouffer (r) in the 4th Congressional District – campaign finance

Vicky Hartzler (r) in the 4th Congressional District

HARTZLER, VICKY JO

Candidate Details

From: 01/01/2009   To: 12/31/2009

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

HARTZLER, VICKY JO H0MO04086

Office: HOUSE

Party: REPUBLICAN PARTY Election: 2010

State: MISSOURI District: 04

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

From: 01/01/2009   To: 12/31/2009

I. RECEIPTS

Itemized Individual Contributions $187,342

Unitemized Individual Contributions $100

Party Committees Contributions $0

Other Committees Contributions $2,000

Candidate Contributions $8,088

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $197,530

Transfers from Authorized Committees $0

Candidate Loans $105,000

Other Loans $0

TOTAL LOANS $105,000

Operating Expenditures Offsets $0

Other Receipts $0

TOTAL RECEIPTS $302,530

II. DISBURSEMENTS

Operating Expenditures $45,213

Transfers To Authorized Committees $0

Candidate Loan Repayments $0

Other Loan Repayments $0

TOTAL LOAN REPAYMENTS $0

Individual Refunds $2,400

Political Party Refunds $0

Other Committee Refunds $0

TOTAL CONTRIBUTION REFUNDS $2,400

Other Disbursements $0

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $47,613

III. CASH SUMMARY

Ending Cash On Hand $254,916

Net Contributions $195,130

Net Operating Expenditures $45,213

Debts Owed By $105,000

Debts Owed To $0

That’s quite a campaign treasury, roughly equivalent to Bill Stouffer (r). And where did some of that money come from?:

Other Committees Contributions – HARTZLER, VICKY JO  

Page 1 of 1 (1 records)    

EAGLE FORUM PAC RECEIPT ALTON IL 62002 11/10/2009 $2,000

Yes, that Eagle Forum.

And, there are loans:

Candidate Loans – HARTZLER, VICKY JO  

Page 1 of 1 (2 records)    

HARTZLER, VICKY LOANS MADE/GUARANTEED BY CAND. HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 07/17/2009 $5,000    

HARTZLER, VICKY LOANS MADE/GUARANTEED BY CAND. HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/29/2009 $100,000

The expenditures:

Operating Expenditures – HARTZLER, VICKY JO  

Page 1 of 3 (60 records)

HILL, SAMANTHA GRASSROOTS HOLDEN MO 64040 11/30/2009 $2,500    

CHASE HOTEL EXPENSES PALENTINE IL 60094 12/15/2009 $443    

NET LLC ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 09/22/2009 $16    

BEST BUY LAPTOP COMPUTER LEES SUMMIT MO 64081 09/07/2009 $1,067    

LLC, NET ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 12/31/2009 $199    

HORIZON PRINTING LETTERHEAD/ENVELOPE PLEASANT HILL MO 64080 11/19/2009 $405    

REEDY, ROGER TOUR REFRESHMENTS WINDSOR MO 65360 11/21/2009 $125    

CHASE HOTEL EXPENSES PALENTINE IL 60094 11/16/2009 $170    

BEGLEY, DENNIS T-SHIRTS HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 11/20/2009 $158    

HARTZLER, VICKY OPER. EXPENSES NOT REIMBURSED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/30/2009 $1,156    

NET LLC ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 09/21/2009 $89    

NET LLC ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 09/30/2009 $14    

CASS GAZETTE PUSHCARDS BELTON MO 64012 09/11/2009 $553    

NET LLC ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 09/30/2009 $2    

BENNETT SIGNS SIGNAGE HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/11/2009 $274    

CASS GAZETTE PUSHCARDS BELTON MO 64012 08/27/2009 $129    

HARTZLER, LOWELL REIMBURSEMENT FOR POSTAGE HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/15/2009 $1,320    

HARTZLER, VICKY MILES DRIVEN NOT REIMBURSED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/30/2009 $3,142    

HILL, SAMANTHA INDEPENDENT CONTRACT WORK HOLDEN MO 64040 09/12/2009 $2,500    

MIDDAUGH, JEANNE FOOD AND BEVERAGE DISCOUNTS HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $731    

SARAHS PHOTOGRAPHY   PHOTOGRAPHY   FREEMAN   MO   64746   08/25/2009   $150    

HARLAND BUSINESS CHECKS CHECKS DECATUR GA 30035 09/01/2009 $134    

KING, JERRY THE X GROUP BUTLER MO 64730 11/20/2009 $71    

KING, JERRY ADRIAN JOURNAL BUTLER MO 64730 11/20/2009 $144    

HARRISONVILLE POST OFFICE POSTAGE HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 12/29/2009 $220    

PHOTOGRAPHY, SARAHS PHOTOS FREEMAN MO 64746 10/16/2009 $100    

LLC, NET ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 12/21/2009 $154    

MINUTEMEN PRESS INVITES/PLEDGECARDS ST. PETERS MO 63376 11/19/2009 $1,530    

SCHROCK, CYNTHIA LETTERHEAD GARDEN CITY MO 64747 10/10/2009 $50    

THOMAS, DR. BENNY WAYNESVILLE DAILY GUIDE FOUR SEASONS MO 65049 11/21/2009 $325    

SIGNATURE ADVANTAGE FUNDRAISING EXPENSES CHESTERFIELD MO 63006 11/19/2009 $5,979    

HILL, SAMANTHA GRASSROOTS HOLDEN MO 64040 10/26/2009 $2,500    

JOHNSON, CARL TOUR REFRESHMENTS VERNON MO 64772 11/20/2009 $50    

LLC, NET ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 12/13/2009 $4    

LLC, NET ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 12/31/2009 $21    

CHURCHILL STRATEGIES MATERIALS DESIGN HARRISBURG PA 17101 10/05/2009 $2,823    

BOATRIGHT, MATT TOUR REFRESHMENTS SEDALIA MO 65301 11/20/2009 $72    

CAUDEL, CHER TOUR REFRESHMENTS CALIFORNIA MO 65018 11/20/2009 $20    

GOODSON COMPANY INVOICE # 91301 PRINTING ST. LOUIS MO 63104 10/02/2009 $968    

HARTZLER, VICKY POSTAGE FOOD PARKING HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 12/31/2009 $61

HARRISONVILLE POST OFFICE   POSTAGE   HARRISONVILLE   MO   64701   11/03/2009   $664    

SEESER, JAMES REFUND-DEPOSIT IN ERROR ST LOUIS MO 63119 11/29/2009 $100    

KING, JERRY KMOE BUTLER MO 64730 11/20/2009 $48    

LLC, NET ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 10/19/2009 $21    

ARISTOTLE SOFTWARE WASHINGTON DC 20003 10/26/2009 $2,100    

HALL, COLONIAL KICKOFF PARTY HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 10/01/2009 $1,773    

HARTZLER, VICKY MILES DRIVEN NOT REIMBURSED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 12/31/2009 $3,728    

HILL, SAMANTHA GRASSROOTS HOLDEN MO 64040 12/28/2009 $2,500    

LLC, NET ELECTIONMALL TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON DC 20004 11/23/2009 $8    

HARRISONVILLE POST OFFICE POSTAGE HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 10/12/2009 $94    

SHELTONS PRINTING FULL COLOR CARDS HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 10/19/2009 $168    

KYLE SHELL GASOLINE EXPENSES DEFIANCE MO 63365 12/11/2009 $126    

MCKENNA LONG ALDRIDGE LEGAL SERVICE WASHINGTON DC 20005 10/14/2009 $1,283    

CHASE HOTEL EXPENSES PALENTINE IL 60094 10/26/2009 $214    

JESDAN CREATIONS TEE SHIRTS GARDEN CITY MO 64747 11/01/2009 $166    

CASS GAZETTE THANK YOU CARDS BELTON MO 64012 10/26/2009 $880    

ANGST, RANDY TOUR REFRESHMENTS LEBANON MO 65536 11/21/2009 BROWN, RYAN TOUR REFRESHMENTS GREENFIELD MO 65661 11/20/2009 $33    

HILL, SAMANTHA MILES DRIVEN PHONE HOLDEN MO 64040 10/26/2009 $428    

HILL, SAMANTHA MILES DRIVEN PHONE HOLDEN MO 64040 11/30/2009 $502

[emphasis added]

T-shirts!

And the money from individual contributors, all 588 of them? (actually, a useful and informative excerpt):

Itemized Individual Contributions – HARTZLER, VICKY JO  

Total: 588 records…

….PEARCE, DAVID STATE OF MISSOURI/SENATOR WARRENSBURG MO 64093 10/12/2009 $20     RECEIPT

PEARCE, DAVID STATE OF MISSOURI/SENATOR WARRENSBURG MO 64093 11/03/2009 $25     RECEIPT

PINKEPANK, PHILIP UPA/UPA CIO BELTON MO 64012 11/29/2009 $250     RECEIPT

HARTZLER, JAY RETIRED/RETIRED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 11/19/2009 $400     RECEIPT

HARTZLER, MARY ANN RETIRED/RETIRED CLINTON MO 64735 11/22/2009 $200     RECEIPT

MORSE, ANN SELF/HOMEMAKER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 12/10/2009 $50     RECEIPT

NOTESTINE, STEPHEN QUADRANT PROPERTIES/DEVELOPER ST LOUIS MO 63131 12/26/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

CAMPBELL, BILLIE CAMPBELL PROTECTION/LIFE SAFETY EQUIPMENT HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 11/26/2009 $500     RECEIPT

COOK, MIKE NECO SEEDS/OWNER GARDEN CITY MO 64747 10/09/2009 $1,000     RECEIPT

KURZWEIL, LINDA FARMER/SELF FREEMAN MO 64746 12/13/2009 $150     RECEIPT

MAGNESS, DIANE INFORMATION REQUESTED/INFORMATION REQUESTED GARDEN CITY MO 64747 10/13/2009 $100     RECEIPT

ANGST, RANDY SELF/SELF LEBANON MO 65536 11/21/2009 $9    

MOORE, DOUGLAS RETIRED/RETIRED BELTON MO 64012 10/22/2009 $5     RECEIPT

EDWARDS, ANN RETIRED/RETIRED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 11/23/2009 $250     RECEIPT

EHLEN, BEVERLY CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA/STATE DIRECTOR WARRENTON MO 63383 10/17/2009 $200     RECEIPT

FERRELL, JAMES FERRELL GAS/OWNER OVERLAND PARK KS 66210 12/15/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

FLOYD, LINDA NOELS HAIRSTYLING/SELF HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 11/22/2009 $136     RECEIPT

FOLSOM, MELODY CASS COUNTY/PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 10/13/2009 $235     RECEIPT

GENTRY, ANNETTE BUTLER R-V ELEMENTARY/TEACHER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 11/10/2009 $25     RECEIPT

KING, JERRY RETIRED/RETIRED BUTLER MO 64730 11/03/2009 $50     RECEIPT

WILSON, HERMAN PIONEER EQUIPMENT/PRESIDENT HOUSTON TX 77019 08/29/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

WISE, JOHN RETIRED/RETIRED FREEMAN MO 64746 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

WYATT, JEWELL RETIRED/RETIRED ARCHIE MO 64701 09/26/2009 $25     RECEIPT

BOWLING, SHARON RETIRED/RETIRED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/19/2009 $100     RECEIPT

BRANTLEY, DEBORAH HONEYWELL/ENGINEER PECULIAR MO 64078 09/19/2009 $250     RECEIPT

COX, LOREN JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLE/RETI/RETIRED/PART TIME INSTRUCTOR HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/09/2009 $250     RECEIPT

COX, RUTH REQUESTED/REQUESTED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $100     RECEIPT

DANNER, JAMES RETIRED/RETIRED FREEMAN MO 64746 09/11/2009 $100     RECEIPT

DANNER, JAMES RETIRED/RETIRED FREEMAN MO 64746 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

DARR, VIRGINIA REQUESTED SPRINGFIELD MO 65809 09/28/2009 $300     RECEIPT

DAVENPORT, LD SELF/HOUSEWIFE DREXEL MO 64742 09/16/2009 $50     RECEIPT

KILP, ROBERT RETIRED/RETIRED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/19/2009 $50     RECEIPT

KING, JON DIVERSIFIED SERVICES/AGRICULTURE RISK MANAGEMENT HIGGINSVILLE MO 64037 08/21/2009 $100     RECEIPT

KURZWEIL, THOMAS SELF/FARMER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/30/2009 $350     RECEIPT

LUDWIG, MARK REQUESTED/ER DOCTOR HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $100     RECEIPT

MCCLAIN, JANICE WINDY RIDGE/OWNER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

MEINS, JUDY KAY GARDEN CITY PLASTICS/CO-OWNER GARDEN CITY MO 64747 08/21/2009 $500     RECEIPT

SANCKEN, ALLEN HARRISONVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL/ADMINISTRATOR GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

SCAVUZZO, LYDIA CASS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT/DEPUTY CLERK HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/09/2009 $250     RECEIPT

SCHROCK, ALISSIA SELF/HOMEMAKER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

SCHROCK, ROSELLA SELF/HOMEWORKER GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/12/2009 $1,000     RECEIPT

SCHULT, KEITH SCHULT INDUSTRIES/SALES BELTON MO 64012 09/19/2009 $250     RECEIPT

ANDREWS, MARK REQUESTED SANIBEL FL 33957 09/21/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

HAYDEN, ROBERT STARLINE, INC./OWNER SEDALIA MO 65301 09/21/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

HEARNE, DONNA REQUESTED/REQUESTED ST LOUIS MO 63141 09/30/2009 $100     RECEIPT

HEID, KONRAD RETIRED/RETIRED JOPLIN MO 64801 09/16/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

BAKER, DAVID FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BELTON/MINISTER BELTON MO 64012 09/21/2009 $200     RECEIPT

BAKER, EVERT MINISTER/RETIRED BELTON MO 64012 09/21/2009 $250     RECEIPT

BEARD, RICK SYCAMORE GROVE CHURCH/PASTOR HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $25     RECEIPT

BEGLEY, DENNIS SERENITY ACRES FARM BOARDING K/OWNE/OWNER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/06/2009 $200     RECEIPT

BINKLEY, JAMES SELF-EMPLOYED/DENTIST ARCHIE MO 64725 07/20/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

BOCKELMAN, KATHY SELF/HOMEMAKER PECULIAR MO 64078 09/21/2009 $20     RECEIPT

MOORE, LISA HARRISONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT/TEACHER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $25     RECEIPT

MORRIS, JAMES REQUESTED LEBANON MO 65336 09/22/2009 $250     RECEIPT

MUELLER, ROBERT REQUESTED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $250     RECEIPT

OCONNOR, JAMES RETIRED/RETIRED GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/15/2009 $100     RECEIPT

ORR, LUCIA RETIRED/RETIRED GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/26/2009 $100     RECEIPT

EVERS, GLORIA SELF/HOMEMAKER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/16/2009 $50     RECEIPT

FAIRBANKS, DAVID FAIRBANKS INTERNATIONAL, INC./OWNER LEXINGTON NE 68850 09/13/2009 $1,000     RECEIPT

FILER, KELLY SELF/HOMEMAKER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/05/2009 $500     RECEIPT

FITZPATRICK, THOMAS FITZPATRICK CONSULTING./SELF-EMPLOYED WARRENSBURG MO 64093 09/26/2009 $500     RECEIPT

GARRETT, GLEN 1ST STATE BANK/CEO PURDY MO 65734 09/30/2009 $250     RECEIPT

SMITH, NANCY REQUESTED/REQUESTED CREIGHTON MO 64739 09/16/2009 $100     RECEIPT

SPENA, MONTY BOB D. CAMPBELL & COMPANY/ACCOUNTANT PECULIAR MO 64078 08/28/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

SUTTON, TODD BLACK AND VEATCH/FINANCE MANAGER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $25     RECEIPT

TRAVIS, MARY CASS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER/NURSE HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $1,000     RECEIPT

WILLIS, DONNA HARRISONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT/TEACHER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $100     RECEIPT

GLAZNER, RALPH SHERWOOD COMMUNITY BANK/SENIOR LOAN OFFICER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 08/25/2009 $500     RECEIPT

GOTH, MARSHA SELF/HOMEMAKER DREXEL MO 64742 09/29/2009 $25     RECEIPT

HACKLER, BARBARA SELF/HOMEMAKER ARCHIE MO 64725 09/26/2009 $250     RECEIPT

BRUMITT, LORI REQUESTED/REQUESTED ARCHIE MO 64701 09/28/2009 $100     RECEIPT

BUERGE, AMY HARRISONVILLE MEDICAL CENTER/RECEPTIONIST GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/21/2009 $35     RECEIPT

WRIGHT, EDWARD SELF/FARMER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $200     RECEIPT

ZELLMER, LINDA RETIRED/RETIRED FREEMAN MO 64746 09/15/2009 $100     RECEIPT

SCHROCK, STACEY SELF-EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

BURRIS, MITZI SELF/HOMEMAKER ARCHIE MO 64725 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

CARTER, THOMAS RETIRED/RETIRED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/01/2009 $100     RECEIPT

CEARLEY, RICK SELF/FARMER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

CECIL, ERNIE ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH/PASTOR HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $25     RECEIPT

CHAFFIN, BARBIE REQUESTED/REQUESTED PECULIAR MO 64078 09/19/2009 $20     RECEIPT

COFFELT, LINDA COFFELT LAND TITLE, INC./CO-OWNER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/19/2009 $100     RECEIPT

DE GISI, JANE REQUESTED/REQUESTED OVERLAND PARK KS 66207 09/21/2009 $20     RECEIPT

HERNANDEZ, LORI REQUESTED/REQUESTED GARDEN CITY MO 64747 09/26/2009 $100     RECEIPT

DICKERSON, RITA RETIRED/RETIRED PLEASANT HILL MO 64080 09/21/2009 $100     RECEIPT

SHORES, PEGGY REQUESTED/REQUESTED BALLWIN MO 63021 09/30/2009 $20     RECEIPT

SNYDER, GLORIA REQUESTED/REQUESTED LOWRY CITY MO 64763 09/26/2009 $20     RECEIPT

WARDEN, DOUGLAS PHYSICAL THERAPIST/SELF WARRENSBURG MO 64093 09/26/2009 $35     RECEIPT

WIEDENMANN, SUSAN WIEDENMANN AND GODFREY CONSTR/CONSTRUCTION DREXEL MO 64742 09/15/2009 $250     RECEIPT

HOLDEN, LANCE COMMERCE BANK/BANKER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $1,100     RECEIPT

HOLDEN, WYNOLA RETIRED/RETIRED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/16/2009 $250     RECEIPT

HOPKINS, DAVID HOPKINS APPRAISAL/APPRAISER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/16/2009 $2,400     RECEIPT

KELLEY, PHILLIP SELF/FARMER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/29/2009 $25     RECEIPT

KIRCHER, RUSSELL SELF/FARMER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/15/2009 $1,000     RECEIPT

KNOCHE, KATHY REQUESTED/REQUESTED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

LAWSON, NANCY SELF/HOMEMAKER HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $50     RECEIPT

LINDSAY, ANNETTA SELF/SELF BUTLER MO 64730 09/15/2009 $100     RECEIPT

LINTON, LOIS RETIRED/RETIRED BALLWIN MO 63011 09/30/2009 $250     RECEIPT

MAGRUDER, L.M. RETIRED/PHYSICIAN NEVADA MO 64772 09/28/2009 $100     RECEIPT

MILLER, KATHLEEN CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT,/TEACHER GOLDEN CO 80403 07/14/2009 $500     RECEIPT

ALSTON, JEFFREY RETIRED/RETIRED CLEVELAND MO 64734 09/16/2009 $100     RECEIPT

MORGAN, BRENDA SELF/HOMEMAKER HOPKINSVILLE KY 44240 08/25/2009 $100     RECEIPT

MORSE, ELIZABETH REQUESTED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $250     RECEIPT

NGUYEN, KAREN REQUESTED/REQUESTED HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 09/21/2009 $100     RECEIPT

PEARCE, DAVID MISSOURI/STATE SENATOR WARRENSBURG MO 64093 09/26/2009 $100     RECEIPT…

[emphasis addd]

Quite an interesting excerpt. It shows a mix of large and small donors and the occasional office holder. The important number is 588…donors. Watch out if this continues through the present quarter. You’ve got to love republican primaries.

Pass. The. Popcorn.  

Previously, from Bill Stouffer (r) in an article in the Warrensburg Daily-Star Journal:

“…I’m going to stay focused on our mutual opponent, which is Ike Skelton, and his out-of-touch, liberal voting record…”

And we wrote yesterday:

…It’s really something to watch republican primary opponents scramble for the most extreme spot on the fringe right with all the decorum of one of those mad dashes in a Marx Brothers movie…

We thought we’d take a look at campaign finance reports via the Federal Election Commission.

STOUFFER, BILL

Candidate Details

From: 01/01/2009   To: 12/31/2009

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

STOUFFER, BILL H0MO04094

Office: HOUSE

Party: REPUBLICAN PARTY Election: 2010

State: MISSOURI District: 04

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

From: 01/01/2009   To: 12/31/2009

I. RECEIPTS

Itemized Individual Contributions $239,910

Unitemized Individual Contributions $15,459

Party Committees Contributions $6,439

Other Committees Contributions $16,000

Candidate Contributions $0

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $277,808

Transfers from Authorized Committees $0

Candidate Loans $70,000

Other Loans $0

TOTAL LOANS $70,000

Operating Expenditures Offsets $101

Other Receipts $0

TOTAL RECEIPTS $347,909

II. DISBURSEMENTS

Operating Expenditures $44,286

Transfers To Authorized Committees $0

Candidate Loan Repayments $0

Other Loan Repayments $0

TOTAL LOAN REPAYMENTS $0

Individual Refunds $0

Political Party Refunds $0

Other Committee Refunds $0

TOTAL CONTRIBUTION REFUNDS $0

Other Disbursements $0

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $44,286

III. CASH SUMMARY

Ending Cash On Hand $303,623

Net Contributions $277,808

Net Operating Expenditures $44,185

Debts Owed By $70,000

Debts Owed To $0

The devil is in the details. First, campaign expenditures:

HOME PIONEER 4-H CLUB   CHRISTMAS WREATHES   ATLANTA   MO   63530   12/09/2009   $400    

USPS FUNDRAISING MAILING JEFFERSON CITY MO 65101 11/20/2009 $880    X

AXIOM STRATEGIES, LLC CAMPAIGN CONSULTING KANSAS CITY MO 64116 10/26/2009 $10,163    

HAO, LLC NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RENT RUSSELLVILLE MO 65074 12/18/2009 $200    

THE J. HARRIS CO., LLC FUNDRAISING CONSULTING EXPENSE JEFFERSON CITY MO 65102 11/19/2009 $2,500    

N. CENTRAL MO GRAPHICS PRINTING BROOKFIELD MO 64628 11/04/2009 $53    X

AXIOM STRATEGIES, LLC CAMPAIGN CONSULTING KANSAS CITY MO 64116 12/16/2009 $5,750    

N. CENTRAL MO GRAPHICS LETTERHEAD & ENVELOPES BROOKFIELD MO 64628 09/02/2009 $660    

HAO, LLC OFFICE RENT RUSSELLVILLE MO 65074 09/25/2009 $300    

HOCK, DALE PHOTOGRAPHY COLUMBIA MO 65202 09/02/2009 $500    

N. CENTRAL MO GRAPHICS BUSINESS CARDS BROOKFIELD MO 64628 09/25/2009 $39    

N. CENTRAL MO GRAPHICS BUSINESS CARDS BROOKFIELD MO 64628 09/02/2009 $346    

LAW OFFICE OF JAMES THOMAS III LEGAL FEES KANSAS CITY MS 64116 09/30/2009 $360    

LAW OFFICE OF JAMES THOMAS III LEGAL FEES KANSAS CITY MS 64116 09/30/2009 $622    

BAKER, AARON REIMBURSEMENT FOR POSTAGE JEFFERSON CITY MO 65202 09/25/2009 $264    

HANCOCK, JOHN IN-KIND – FOOD AND RENTAL FEE SPRINGFIELD MO 65803 09/30/2009 $860    

STOUFFER, BILL IN-KIND – PRE-CAMPAIGN POLL AND CONSULTING MARSHALL MO 65340 07/03/2009 $2,300    

LAW OFFICE OF JAMES THOMAS III OCTOBER INVOICE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE WORK KANSAS CITY MS 64116 12/03/2009 $2,248    

LAW OFFICE OF JAMES THOMAS III NOVEMBER INVOICE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE WORK KANSAS CITY MS 64116 12/03/2009 $336    

SHOW ME PRINTING PRINTING JEFFERSON CITY MO 65101 12/16/2009 $249

VISA   CREDIT CARD CHARGES FOR THE MONTH   KANSAS CITY   MO   64121   11/19/2009   $350    

THE J. HARRIS CO., LLC FUNDRAISING RETAINER JEFFERSON CITY MO 65102 12/16/2009 $2,500    

USPS POSTAGE AND MAILING JEFFERSON CITY MO 65101 11/06/2009 $352    X

KC SCREENPRINT T-SHIRTS KANSAS CITY MO 64106 10/26/2009 $321    

LAW OFFICE OF JAMES THOMAS III SEPTEMBER BILLING FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE WORK KANSAS CITY MS 64116 11/04/2009 $1,464    

N. CENTRAL MO GRAPHICS PRINTING BROOKFIELD MO 64628 11/30/2009 $1,557    

THE J. HARRIS CO., LLC REIMBURSEMENT FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES BOUGHT JEFFERSON CITY MO 65102 12/16/2009 $79    

AXIOM STRATEGIES, LLC CAMPAIGN CONSULTING KANSAS CITY MO 64116 11/04/2009 $7,633    

VISA POSTAGE, MEALS AND LODGING FOR CANDIDATE, OFFICE SUPPLIES KANSAS CITY MO 64121 12/16/2009 $1,668

[emphasis added]

$321.00 for t-shirts! Oooh, and Axiom Strategies!? Jeff Roe, is that you?

Other Committees Contributions – STOUFFER, BILL  

Page 1 of 1 (6 records)    

BARKLAGE, DAVID CAPE GIRARDEAU MO 63702 12/31/2009 $2,400    

HARRIS, JAMES JEFFERSON CITY MO 65109 12/31/2009 $2,400    

HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP. PAC ST. JOSEPH MO 64502 12/31/2009 $5,000    

HARRIS, JULIAN JEFFERSON CITY MO 65109 12/31/2009 $1,400    

ROE, MELISSA KANSAS CITY MO 64116 12/31/2009 $2,400    

ROE, JEFF KANSAS CITY MO 64116 12/31/2009 $2,400    

Yep.

Hmmm. How about individual contributions?:

Itemized Individual Contributions – STOUFFER, BILL  

Page 1 of 11 (210 records)

….SINQUEFIELD, REX SHOW ME INSTITUTE/PRESIDENT WESTPHALIA MO 65085 11/11/2009 $2,400….

[emphasis added]

Ah, some of the usual suspects.

Show Me Institute? Didn’t they have a problem recently?

And then there’s the loans:

Candidate Loans – STOUFFER, BILL

Total: 2 records

STOUFFER, BILL 60 DAY TERM LOAN MARSHALL MO 65340 12/28/2009 $20,000    

STOUFFER, BILL 6 MONTH TERM LOAN MARSHALL MO 65340 12/28/2009 $50,000    

Yep, this republican primary is gonna be a thing to behold. Pass the popcorn.

The standings for today: 5 candidates filed in Jeff City and the Royals scored 5 runs against the Reds while the Royal B team scored 2 runs against the Rangers.

Republican Brian Clark of Cleveland filed for Congress in the 4th district, making him the 7th Republican in the field and possibly the most obscure member of this field.

Republican Doug Farnen of Salisbury filed in HD22, a Republican-held seat which is opened by term limits. Despite the Republican incumbent’s narrow victory in 2008 and her history of narrow wins from 2002 to 2006, no Democrat has filed in this district. Really. If a Democrat files, then you never know what could happen here.

Republican Joel Blevins of Independence filed in HD52, a Democratic-held seat opened by term limits. Blevins’ entry sets up an epic Noel v. Joel primary with Republican Noel Torpey (who lost to Paul LeVota twice and ran for a few months and quit in 2008). The winner will face either Robbie Makinen or Chyanne Lockhart Cardarella. The 52nd should be one of the more competitive Democratic open seats in the KC area.

Republican Chris Johnston of Alton filed in HD153, a Republican-held seat opened by term limits. He will face Steve Cookson of Fairdealing in the Republican primary. The Democrat who has filed is Carter County Assessor George Meyers of Ellsinore. The 153rd might be a winnable seat due to his historic sympathies.

The 5th filer is a Democratic candidate for Circuit Judge. Anyways, I think 5 is a good over/under for tomorrow. The weather’s nice and a car/train ride should be enjoyable.

Oh please, pretty please, make it so. If I had the money to waste I’d contribute to her campaign.

In today’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:

…Former [state] Rep. Vicky Hartzler stepped away from the pack of five Republican men running in the 4th Congressional District race…..

…While in the General Assembly, Hartzler said, she never voted for a tax increase.

“I didn’t do that. I had some bills where there were some fees, like for a new license plate and things, but as far as tax increases, no,” she said. “In this country, we need some fiscal leadership. We need someone willing to say no and look for creative solutions, with the runaway spending that we have in Washington and the growing deficit. I have a record that I believe more reflects the desires of the people in this area, which are telling me, stop spending our money…”

When is a tax not a tax?

The filed candidates in the 4th Congressional District:

U.S. Representative – District 4

Democrat

LEONARD STEINMAN JEFFERSON CITY MO 3/1/2010 1:13 p.m.

IKE SKELTON LEXINGTON MO 3/5/2010 9:06 a.m.

Republican

JAMES SCHOLZ WARRENSBURG MO 2/23/2010 8:47 a.m.

ARTHUR JOHN MADDEN MALTA BEND MO 2/23/2010 11:29 a.m.

VICKY HARTZLER HARRISONVILLE MO 2/23/2010 12:58 p.m.

ROY VIESSMAN JEFFERSON CITY MO 2/23/2010 8:52 a.m.

BRIAN RILEY MARSHALL MO 2/23/2010 9:03 a.m.

BILL STOUFFER JEFFERSON CITY MO 2/23/2010 9:07 a.m.

BRIAN CLARK CLEVELAND MO 3/8/2010 9:35 a.m.

Constitution

GREG COWAN LEBANON MO 2/23/2010 2:21 p.m.

It’s really something to watch republican primary opponents scramble for the most extreme spot on the fringe right with all the decorum of one of those mad dashes in a Marx Brothers movie. Bill Stouffer (r), from the same article:

“…I’m going to stay focused on our mutual opponent, which is Ike Skelton, and his out-of-touch, liberal voting record…”

Ike Skelton a liberal? That’s news to anyone who is sane.

And Vicki[y] Hartzler? That’s a real special brand of right wingnut – on health care reform:

A health care story (September 3, 2009)

….SMP: And, and you’ve told your story in a variety of, of places. Last week you attended a, another forum for, in this area. Could you tell me about that?

Randy Huggins:…Last Thursday I went to a health care information forum, I guess you could call it, Vicki[y] Hartzler [a declared Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District seat] held here. And she had concerns about the legislation and she had things that she liked about the legislation. Then she said she had solutions. The solution that she offered for the pre-existing condition my grandson had was, she offered to bring the family a, a hot meal. [pause] We’re hungry, but that’s not gonna help his heart, so.

SMP: And so, do you, do you feel some frustration when, when dealing with this, you know, the subject of health care reform and when you feel like people give you solutions that really aren’t solutions?

Randy Huggins: Absolutely it’s frustrating. [pause] I, I just, I don’t understand where they’re coming from. Why they can’t see the need to fix, the system’s broken. And they don’t see any need to fix it or to change it in any way. Just….

The republican party and their candidates – they “…give you solutions that really aren’t solutions…” Vicky Hartzler would fit right in with all the other obstructionist republicans in Washington.

The nice weather brought out the filers today. Well, seven filers. But still.

Libertarian Cisse Spragins of Kansas City filed for the US Senate, creating a contested primary with Jonathan Dine of Riverside. Now all four qualified parties have contested primaries for the US Senate, and Missourians are left to wonder who’ll get more total votes between the Libertarians and the Constitution Party in their contested primaries.

Libertarian Charles Baum of St. Louis filed for Auditor. If no Constitution Party candidates file, the Libertarians have a shot at 2% and securing future ballot access. Right now, they need 2% for Senator of Auditor, or they’d have to petition in 2012. The Constitution Party is guaranteed 2012.

Also, Representative Ike Skelton filed. He will face a random Dem (Leonard Steinman of Jeff City) and one of six Republicans in November in what should be his most exciting election in years.

Libertarian Sean O’Toole of Kansas City filed in HD40, making him the first non-Democrat to file in that district since 1998. Republican Brent Lasater of Independence filed in HD53. Lasater ran for the seat in 2006 and 2008 and he’ll be facing Lynn Vogel in the Republican primary. Republican William Barlish of Sedalia filed in HD118 against incumbent Stanley Cox. Republican Bobby G. Spencer of West Plains filed in HD151 against incumbent Ward Franz of West Plains and challenger Kathleen Hensley of Willow Springs. Hensley ran as an Independent in 2008. The district maps are taking a day off, as the Missouri State House site is currently out partying (it’s down at the moment)

So, perhaps some people will show up on Monday Morning. Our total through 9 days of filing is 464, with 46 of those filings coming in the last 8 filing days. Also, the Royals scored 4 runs today in Spring Training, as they beat Texas but were outscored by the Missouri Candidate filings. Over/under for Monday is 5. Hey, for the next few weeks of filing, it’s time for the random citizen to show up.

Today was the first day of March and day 4 (or 5) of filing (Nobody filed last Friday and I haven’t checked to see if the place was open or not). 12 candidates filed for office today and 10 of them are going to get covered (Sorry Circuit Judges).

Four incumbent Congressmen filed today (Lacy Clay, Todd Akin, Jo Ann Emerson, and Blaine Luetkemeyer) and coincidentally, all four have primary challenges. The only member of the Missouri Delegation who hasn’t filed is Ike Skelton, who has given every sign of running for re-election. Congressman Skelton will be facing a primary opponent, Leonard Steinman of Jefferson City. Steinman ran for the State House in 2008 and lost to Bill Deeken by a 74%-26% margin. This is the first time Skelton has been opposed in a primary since 1994, where he won 82% against 2 opponents.

Also, Martin D. Baker filed as a Republican in the 1st Congressional district. Baker’s mailing address is in Sikeston, a 2 hour drive south of the district. Baker ran for Congress in the Jackson County-based 5th Congressional district in 2008, finishing 3rd in a 4 candidate field. Baker’s Republican opponent is Robyn Hamlin of North St. Louis County. Congressman Lacy Clay has a primary opponent and 2 Libertarians are having a primary for their nomination.

Republican Nola Wood filed in the 45th State House district vs. incumbent Democrat Jason Holsman and Republican Rodney Williams filed in the open 46th State House district. Constitution Party candidate Charles Harter filed in the 95th State House district vs. incumbent Republican Mike Leara.

Lastly, Holmes Osborne of Odessa became the second Democrat to file in the 122nd State House district. Who is the son of actor Holmes Osborne who you may remember from such roles as Eddie Darko in Donnie Darko and 83 other film and television titles. I went into this post thinking the actor and the candidate were the same and I am suspecting that is not true after receiving more information.

The first Democrat to file was Gary Grigsby who is a small businessman and all around awesome guy who would do an immensely better job than Mike McGhee.

No matter who wins the primary there, here’s to hoping that Mike McGhee (who was shaken into running again) loses re-election and finds a new career in Hollywood (presumably as an actor playing the “in over his head” elected official and not as a prop builder).

Aw, primary season. Sometimes it’s like a B movie. Without zombies rampaging the countryside, presumably. Over/under for Tuesday is 6 new candidate filings.