Yesterday, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER [pdf] 7/31/2012

AXIOM STRATAGES, LLC

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY

KANSAS CITY, MO 64116 7/31/2012

$25,000.00

MONETARY

[emphasis added]

Or is that just a giant rebate? Via the Missouri Ethics Commission:

Search Results for Expenditures

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER 8 Day Before Primary Election-8/7/2012 AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 CONSULANT 07/03/2012 $3,300.00 Paid

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER 8 Day Before Primary Election-8/7/2012 AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 PHONE CALLS 07/03/2012 $2,057.02 Paid

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER April Quarterly Report AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 CONSULTANT 03/13/2012 $2,500.00 Paid

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER April Quarterly Report AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 campaign material 03/13/2012 $1,118.86 Paid

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER July Quarterly Report AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 CONSULANT/BUMPER STICKERS 04/12/2012 $2,891.11 Paid

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER July Quarterly Report AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 CONSULANT 05/07/2012 $3,300.00 Paid

C041627 FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER July Quarterly Report AXIOM STRATAGES

1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 CONSULANT 06/13/2012 $3,300.00 Paid

[emphasis added]

Or a just a prediction for next week? That’s a total $18,466.99 in 2012.

Via the Missouri Ethics Commission. Jason Kander (D) had a very good fundraising quarter and healthy cash on hand:

C071012: Kander For Missouri

Information Reported On: 2012 – July Quarterly Report

Beginning Money on Hand $648,567.02

Monetary Receipts + $229,598.75

Monetary Expenditures – $80,949.79

Contributions Made – $0.00

Other Disbursements – $0.00

Subtotal     $148,648.96

Ending Money On Hand   $797,215.98

[emphasis added]

Shane Schoeller (r) had a very good fundraising quarter, but has a high burn rate:

C061132: Schoeller For Missouri

Information Reported On: 2012 – July Quarterly Report

Beginning Money on Hand $161,893.78

Monetary Receipts + $280,496.12

Monetary Expenditures – $135,441.08

Contributions Made – $100.00

Other Disbursements – $5,046.32

Subtotal     $139,908.72

Ending Money On Hand   $301,802.50

[emphasis added]

Bill Stouffer (r):

C041627: Friends Of Bill Stouffer

Information Reported On: 2012 – July Quarterly Report

Beginning Money on Hand $247,157.64

Monetary Receipts + $76,126.27

Monetary Expenditures – $48,016.96

Contributions Made – $0.00

Other Disbursements – $38,000.00

Subtotal     ($9,890.69)

Ending Money On Hand   $237,266.95

[emphasis added]

Scott Rupp (r):

C111045: Rupp For Missouri

Information Reported On: 2012 – July Quarterly Report

Beginning Money on Hand $148,375.78

Monetary Receipts + $88,045.70

Monetary Expenditures – $60,100.84

Contributions Made – $0.00

Other Disbursements – $0.00

Subtotal     $27,944.86

Ending Money On Hand   $176,320.64

[emphasis added]

There are some interesting details.

Some of Bill Stouffer’s (r) expenditures:

ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER 7/16/2012

AXIOM STRATAGES 1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 4/12/2012 CONSULANT/BUMPER STICKERS $2,891.11

AXIOM STRATAGES 1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 5/7/2012 CONSULANT $3,300.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 5/21/2012 BILLBOARDS $2,016.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/11/2012 BILLBOARDS $5,775.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/13/2012 BILLBOARDS $4,200.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/13/2012 BILLBOARDS $4,725.00

AXIOM STRATAGES 1251 NW BRIARCLIFF PKY KANSAS CITY MO 64116 6/13/2012 CONSULANT $3,300.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/27/2012 BILLBOARDS $6,300.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/27/2012 BILLBOARDS $1,575.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/29/2012 BILLBOARDS $4,800.00

WAITT OUTDOOR 4725 “F” STREET OMAHA NE 68117 6/27/2012 BILLBOARDS $3,450.00

[emphasis added]

That would explain this:

Huh?

Will that dog hunt?

Oh, this is very interesting. A few in-kind contributions:

CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL

FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER 7/16/2012

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/6/2012 $5,313.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/13/2012 $3,864.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/15/2012 $5,796.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/16/2012 $12,000.00

DDI MEDIA 8315 Drury Industrial Pky St Louis MO 63114 6/25/2012 $8,200.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/26/2012 $25,500.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/11/2012 $4,347.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/1/2012 $4,500.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/19/2012 $4,575.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/21/2012 $4,060.00

The Lamar Companies 7108 East 48th Terrace KANSAS CITY MO 64129 6/28/2012 $2,415.00

PORLIER 1027 N SERVICE ROAD WEST FORISTELL MO 63348 6/15/2012 $1,900.00

PORLIER 1027 N SERVICE ROAD WEST FORISTELL MO 63348 6/18/2012 $4,750.00

PORLIER 1027 N SERVICE ROAD WEST FORISTELL MO 63348 6/19/2012 $800.00

PORLIER 1027 N SERVICE ROAD WEST FORISTELL MO 63348 6/21/2012 $450.00

[emphasis added]

Well, what do you know? An interlocking billboard strategery.

And Shane Schoeller’s (r) fundraising success was largely because of four people:

CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL

SCHOELLER FOR MISSOURI 7/16/2012

DAVID HUMPHREYS PO BOX 4050 JOPLIN MO 64803 UNKNOWN 4/3/2012 $25,000.00

ETHELMAE HUMPHREYS 2505 E 11TH STREET JOPLIN MO 64801 UNKNOWN 5/18/2012 $25,000.00

REX SINQUEFIELD 244 BENT WALNUT WESTPHALIA MO 65085 RETIRED 6/22/2012 $150,000.00

MENLO SMITH 15009 MANCHESTER RD #284 BALLWIN MO 63011 RETIRED 4/12/2012 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s so grassrootsie.

The October 2011 quarterly campaign finance reports are showing up at the Missouri Ethics Commission. The active Secretary of State campaign committees:

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) has announced that she is not running for reelection.

Jason Kander (D) filed his filed his filed his quarterly report on October 17th:

REPORT SUMMARY

KANDER FOR MISSOURI [pdf] 10/17/2011

2. All Monetary Contributions Received This Period $65,015.00

10. Expenditures made by cash or check this period $2,195.56

27. Money On Hand at the close of this reporting period $232,888.45

34. Total Indebtedness at the Close of This Reporting Period $0.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a healthy cash on hand. And that does not include:

Campaign Finance: Jason Kander (D) continues…part 3 (October 13, 2011)

….A total of $80,406.00 since September 30th. And that’s just the big dollar contributions (over $5000.00) that must be reported within 48 hours.

There are two republican candidates.

Scott Rupp (r) filed his filed his quarterly report on October 17th:

REPORT SUMMARY

RUPP FOR MISSOURI [pdf] 10/17/2011

2. All Monetary Contributions Received This Period $85,700.00

10. Expenditures made by cash or check this period $16,759.94

27. Money On Hand at the close of this reporting period $96,210.60

34. Total Indebtedness at the Close of This Reporting Period $0.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a relatively paltry cash on hand.

Bill Stouffer (r) filed his filed his filed his filed his quarterly report on October 17th:

REPORT SUMMARY

FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER [pdf] 10/17/2011

2. All Monetary Contributions Received This Period $28,805.00

3. All Loans Received This Period $150,000.00

10. Expenditures made by cash or check this period $19,095.14

27. Money On Hand at the close of this reporting period $170,614.39

34. Total Indebtedness at the Close of This Reporting Period $150,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a decent cash on hand, but most of it is from a loan:

SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN INFORMATION

FRIENDS OF BILL STOUFFER [pdf] 10/17/2011

1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF LENDER

WILLIAM H STOUFFER

NAPTON MO 65340

4. DATE OF LOAN 9/30/2011

5. AMOUNT OF LOAN $150,000.00

6. ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST 6%

7. TIME PERIOD OF LOAN 1 YEAR

[emphasis added]

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D), while not running for reelection, has not terminated her committee yet and must still file a quarterly report (and did so on October 15th):

REPORT SUMMARY

ROBIN CARNAHAN FOR MISSOURI [pdf] 10/15/2011

2. All Monetary Contributions Received This Period $3.00

10. Expenditures made by cash or check this period $7,841.14

27. Money On Hand at the close of this reporting period $203,002.39

34. Total Indebtedness at the Close of This Reporting Period $0.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a significant cash on hand.

Congressman Ike Skelton (D) now knows who his opponents will be for the November general election.

The residents of the 4th Congressional District get to look forward to seeing these through November.

Illustration of the vote by county between the top two republican candidates courtesy of RBH.

Results from the Missouri Secretary of State:

Unofficial Election Returns

State of Missouri Primary Election  – 2010 Primary Election

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

U.S. Representative – District 4 – Summary

Precincts Reporting 417 of 417

Steinman, Leonard DEM 6,264 19.5%

Skelton, Ike DEM 25,914 80.5%

Scholz, James REP 4,259 4.8%

Madden, Arthur John REP 2,483 2.8%

Hartzler, Vicky REP 35,853 40.5%

Viessman, Roy REP 3,702 4.2%

Riley, Brian REP 3,196 3.6%

Stouffer, Bill REP 26,570 30.0%

Clark, Brian REP 2,655 3.0%

McElroy, Eric James REP 1,928 2.2%

Parnell, Jeff REP 7,968 9.0%

Braun, Jason Michael LIB 165 50.6%

Holbrook, II, Thomas LIB 161 49.4%

Cowan, Greg CST 296 100.0%

Total Votes   121,414

[emphasis added]

An understated (single color!) campaign sign – apparently there just weren’t enough of them.

When right wingnuts collide, the results aren’t always pretty, though the ice cream imagery is greatly appreciated during the current heat wave. Bill Stouffer (r) tried to use direct mail to paint Vicky Hartzler (r) as one of those tax raising politicians.

31 Flavors Of Ice Cream

Good

31 Tax Increases

Not Good

State Representative Vicky Hartzler’s record on taxes is Not Good.

You hear that, Ike? Vicky Hartzler is a tax and spend liberal. Go figure.

Right wingnut rhetoric on any government revenue has gotten so extreme that anything greater than 0% is a grievous affront to their orthodoxy.

State Representative Hartzler served up 31 ways to scoop your money into big government.

Can You Believe…

…now she wants you to send her to Congress?

Higher Property Taxes

Senate Bill 348

New Sales Taxes

Senate Bill 193

A New Farm Tax

House Bill 1207

Even A Tax On Pets

House Bill 1099

August 3rd say No to Higher Taxes! Say No to Vicky Hartzler for US Congress.

Republican

Bill Stouffer

Farmer.

Small Businessman.

Conservative.

I guess we can be thankful that it wasn’t fifty-seven ways, otherwise there’s be ketchup splatters all over the mailer.

Given the results of the primary 40.5% of republican primary voters wanted those 31 taxes and weren’t willing to join the fight. Either that, or there were 35,853 Democratic voters with a sick sense of humor who crossed over to vote in the republican primary.

That would have been awesome.

The second mailer:

Bill Stouffer

Republican U.S. Congress

“Our children should have the freedom to prosper and enjoy a quality of life comparable to our own. I refuse to let the tax-and-spend liberals force our families, economy, military and nation into a position of weakness. If you’re willing to join the fight and ensure our nation’s best days are ahead of us, I ask you to join my campaign.” – Bill Stouffer

Priorities –

Restore fiscal discipline in government

Make private-sector job creation a priority

Streamline the tax code and cut income taxes

Reduce regulations and bureaucracy for businesses

Reduce regulations and bureaucracy for businesses – because bad things wouldn’t have happened if we had left British Petroleum alone. Oh wait, we did.

Bill Stouffer

Conservative Republican For Congress

Bill Stouffer is running for U.S. Congress because Washington is failing to hear our concerns and leading our nation down a dangerous path. Bill is a son of the soil, former school board president, and graduate of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture. As a father and a grandfather, he refuses to let government jeopardize our children’s future with more debt and reckless spending.

As a citizen legislator, Bill Stouffer heard your calls for fiscal responsibility and delivered on his promise to cut spending and lower taxes. Widely recognized as one of the most conservative members of the Missouri Senate, Bill lead the fight to cut more than $450 million dollars in spending and balanced the state budget. As our conservative problem solver in Washington, Bill will continue working hard for the results we expect.

Conservative Republican – because there are just too damn many moderate and liberal republicans in Missouri. You know, like Vicky Hartzler.

Poor Bill Stouffer. He wasted part of his mail plan on a Democratic Party household. We didn’t get any of Vicky Hartzler’s mail (if there was any). Even at that, Vicky Hartzler only beat him by ten points. Interesting.

Ike, have you been listening to Vicky’s opponent? He’s laid out your game plan for the general election.

A question, though, for Bill Stouffer – where were your complaints about fiscal discipline and economic policy in the federal budget from 2001 to 2009?

Just asking.

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.

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.

Here’s a summary of the call. If you wish to follow along, here’s the audio.

0:00-0:04: Hello, i’m an anonymous person from an area code you don’t recognize with the NRCC hoping you don’t hang up on me, I have an end of year report too, don’t hang up! (paraphrasing, slightly)

0:08: “Ike Skelton has been in Congress for over 33 years” (December 23rd, 2009 minus January 3rd, 1977… uh…)

0:10: “Lost touch with what Missouri workers are going through”

0:15-0:25: “Booo Stimulus!” (obviously didn’t have enough tax cuts for the voodoo economists)

0:25-0:35: “Boo Cap’n’trade!” (pretending that 60 votes exist for that is like pretending that this robocall is a productive use of money)

0:35-0:50: “Call Ike Skelton, and tell him your New Years Resolution is to watch his votes in 2010 to make sure he’s voting for Missouri Workers, not the liberal agenda of the Democrat Party leaders in Washington” (“Sorry Honey, I was going to resolve myself to losing 10 pounds, but this recording told me to keep track of Ike Skelton’s votes, pass the salt”)

Tis the season for campaigning 11 months out. Fa la la la lalalala la. Transcript under fold.

Hello, i’m calling on behalf of the NRCC with an end of year action alert about Congressman Ike Skelton.

Ike Skelton has been in Congress for over 33 years and has lost touch with what Missouri Workers are going through.

Unemployment in Missouri is 9.5% but Ike Skelton spent 2009 helping Liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi push a massive $787 billion dollar pork-laden spending bill he called a stimulus but that’s not helped the Missouri economy.

To make matters worse, Skelton voted for a liberal cap’n’trade bill that will increase energy costs for Missouri families at the worst time.

Call Ike Skelton at (573) 635-3499, and tell him your New Years Resolution is to watch his votes in 2010 to make sure he’s voting for Missouri Workers, not the liberal agenda of the Democrat Party leaders in Washington.

Paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

It should tell you what you need to know about the confidence Establishment Republicans have in Vicki Hartzler and Bill Stouffer that they’re considering dumb stunts like this:

An informal list of 17 members the NRCC believes can be convinced to step down, privately called the “Dem Retirement Assault List,” makes clear the party needs Dem incumbents to step aside if they have hopes of taking back the majority. The NRCC has taken pains to attack those lawmakers in recent weeks.

The list includes 14 members whose districts voted for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in ’08. McCain won districts held by Reps. Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Bart Gordon (D-TN) with more than 60% of the vote, and districts held by Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), Marion Berry (D-AR), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Mike Ross (D-AR) with more than 55%.

Ike Skelton has won by 30% or more in 13 of 17 elections (missing that mark in 1976, 1982, 1990, and 1996). 1996 was the last serious-looking-at-one-point challenge, where Bill Phelps (two-term statewide elected official from the 1970s) lost by 29.9% to Skelton.

Considering the success of NRCC tactics in previous years, there’s not a lot to get scared about here.