This afternoon we accompanied a canvassing crew working in Raymore, Missouri for Teresa Hensley’s (D) 4th Congressional District campaign.

This household had a big friendly dog.

They definitely got a reminder to vote on Tuesday.

Checking the turf.

We encountered young teens working the same neighborhoods doing a literature drop on behalf of Vicky Hartzler (r). Children.

It is a myth. Very similar to the confidence fairy. Wishing really, really hard that something exists can’t make it so.

From a 48 hour campaign finance report for Vicky Hartzler’s campaign in the 4th Congressional District filed at the Federal Election Commission:

10/31/2012 15 : 03

Image# 12961225424 [pdf]

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

Ann Wagner for Congress Transaction ID : 21031.C11087 10/30/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a $1,000.00 endorsement from republican candidate (in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District) Ann Wagner (r) of vouchers for Medicare, privatizing Social Security, USDA farm subsidies for large operations, navel oranges, and microchips in our toasters. Just to name a few.  

And it’s still going down…

The price of gas in west central Missouri on October 31, 2012.

Still, it’s been a while since we’ve heard a peep from Vicky Hartzler (r) about gas prices. I wonder why?

Previously:

Vicky Hartzler (r): What’s that? Did you say something? Apparently not. (October 29, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): the sound of silence (October 23, 2012)

The past, the gas, and isms (September 24, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas – part 2 (June 6, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas (May 27, 2012)

Previously:

Vicky Hartzler (r): FEC Pre-General Report (October 31, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Vicky Hartzler (r) – October quarterly report – farms (October 21, 2012)

At this point in the campaign federal candidates must file 48 Hour Reports on contributions of $1000.00 or more received within twenty days of an election with the Federal Election Commission. It always makes for interesting reading. This is the case in the 4th Congressional District race with Teresa Hensley (D) and incumbent Vicky Hartzler (r). The reports (to date) for Vicky Hartzler (r):

10/19/2012 15 : 45

Image# 12960064798 [pdf]

48 HOUR NOTICE OF CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS RECEIVED

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

Robert Hayden Sedalia MO Starline, Inc. Owner Transaction ID : 21019.C10807 10/19/2012 [$]2000.00

Eric Wilson Cole Camp MO Dentist Transaction ID : 21019.C10808 10/19/2012 [$]1000.00

Marilyn Hebenstreit Mission Hills KS Homemaker Transaction ID : 21019.C10785 10/19/2012 [$]2000.00

James Hebenstreit Mission Hills KS Bartlett and Company President Transaction ID : 21019.C10787 10/19/2012 [$]2500.00

Steve Cowger Butler MO Farmer Transaction ID : 21019.C10790 10/19/2012 [$]2000.00

Committee for Advancement of Cotton Cordova TN Transaction ID : 21019.C10782 10/19/2012 [$]3850.00

Bayer Corporation PAC Pittsburgh PA Transaction ID : 21019.C10780 10/19/2012 [$]1000.00

COTCO PAC Memphis TN Transaction ID : 21019.C10781 10/19/2012 [$]1000.00

Joseph Ismert Kansas City MO Sioux Chief Mfg. Co. Inc. President Transaction ID : 21019.C10789 10/19/2012 [$]1000.00

Blockpac Kansas City MO Transaction ID : 21019.C10809 10/19/2012 [$]1000.00

Stace Anderson Sedalia MO Firstwave LLC Information Requested Transaction ID : 21019.C10810 10/19/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

The Committee for Advancement of Cotton. My new favorite political action committee name.

10/19/2012 16 : 06

Image# 12960065982 [pdf]

48 HOUR NOTICE OF CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS RECEIVED

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

Ronald Wood Belton MO Self-employed Information Requested Transaction ID : 21019.C10811 10/19/2012 [$]2500.00

[emphasis added]

10/22/2012 14 : 23

Image# 12940370328 [pdf]

48 HOUR NOTICE OF CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS RECEIVED

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

Kathryn Buerge Joplin MO First State Bank Banker Transaction ID : 21022.C10812 10/20/2012 [$]2000.00

Ash Grove Cement Pac Shawnee Mission KS Transaction ID : 21022.C10813 10/20/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

10/24/2012 14 : 55

Image# 12940414382 [pdf]

48 HOUR NOTICE OF CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS RECEIVED

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

Butterball, LLC PAC Garner NC Transaction ID : 21024.C10814 10/22/2012 [$]1000.00

Mark Eveans Overland Park KS Meritage Portollio Management President/Portfolio Manager 10/22/2012 [$]1000.00

David Fairbanks Lexington NE Fairbanks International, Inc. Owner Transaction ID : 21024.C10818 10/22/2012 [$]1000.00

Graves For Congress Kansas City MO Transaction ID : 21024.C10816 10/22/2012 [$]1000.00

Larry Gross Columbia MO Retired Transaction ID : 21024.C10817 10/22/2012 [$]1000.00

Brenda Potterfield Columbia MO Midway U.S.A. Vice President Transaction ID : 21024.C10821 10/23/2012 [$]1000.00

Sarah PAC Arlington VA Transaction ID : 21024.C10820 10/22/2012 [$]5000.00

SBA List Candidate Fund Washington DC Transaction ID : 21024.C10815 10/22/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

Money from Evita Mooselini! A grifter working the long con.

10/26/2012 16 : 56

Image# 12940741848 [pdf]

48 HOUR NOTICE OF CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS RECEIVED

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

David E. OReilly Springfield MO OReilly Automotive Chairman of the Board 10/25/2012 [$]1000.00

American College of Radiology Assc. PAC Reston VA Transaction ID : 21026.C10869 10/24/2012 [$]2500.00

Leanne Dolan Lohman MO Homemaker Transaction ID : 21026.C10867 10/24/2012 [$]1000.00

Jack Bragg Columbia MO Physician Transaction ID : 21026.C10864 10/24/2012 [$]1250.00

Donald Howser Columbia MO Real Estate Development Transaction ID : 21026.C10858 10/24/2012 [$]5000.00

Tina Maurizi Columbia MO Countryside Nursery School Director Transaction ID : 21026.C10863 10/24/2012 [$]2500.00

Christina Maurizi Columbia MO Maurizi ISL Habilitation Operation Transaction ID : 21026.C10865 10/24/2012 [$]2500.00

W Jason Van Eaton Columbia MO Spectrum Consulting Group Principal Transaction ID : 21026.C10866 10/24/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

10/29/2012 16 : 37

Image# 12961221506 [pdf]

48 HOUR NOTICE OF CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS RECEIVED

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

WedgePAC Franklin TN Transaction ID : 21029.C10989 10/28/2012 [$]1000.00

JE Dunn Construction Group Inc. Pac Kansas City MO Transaction ID : 21029.C10902 10/29/2012 [$]1000.00

Heavy Constructors Association Kansas City MO Transaction ID : 21029.C10903 10/29/2012 [$]2000.00

National Mining Assc Coal PAC Washington DC Transaction ID : 21029.C10985 10/29/2012 [$]2000.00

[emphasis added]

Coal!

Somehow I don’t think Wedge PAC has anything to do with golf or fine dinnerware…

Vicky Hartzler’s (r) campaign for the 4th Congressional District filed a FEC Pre-General Report [pdf] on October 25th. There are also 48 hour reports (more on those later). The Pre-General Report covers the period from October 1st through the 17th:

10/25/2012 14 : 56

Image# 12961031865

FEC FORM 3

REPORT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

For An Authorized Committee

Vicky Hartzler for Congress

6. (c) Net Contributions [$]25990.50

7. Net Operating Expenditures [$]615528.58

8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period [$]158500.61

[emphasis added]

Where did all the money go?

First, let’s take a look at some of the contributions:

Eagle Forum PAC Alton IL 10 15 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.C10768 [$]5000.00

The Freedom Project Washington DC 10 04 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.C10720 [$]5000.00

Concerned Women for America PAC Washington DC 10 05 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.C10737 [$]20.00

Friends of John Boehner West Chester OH 10 04 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.C10719 [$]2000.00

[emphasis added]

That $20.00 is very concerning. John Boehner! That must be in honor of Halloween.

Now, some of the disbursements:

Thompson Communications Media Buy 10 11 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5095 [$]97506.60

Friends of Roy Blunt List Rental 10 05 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5084 [$]2487.87

EV Strategies Alexandria VA Fundraising Consulting Fee 10 10 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5092 [$]6000.00

Dublin Group Overland Park KS Fundraising Consulting Fee 10 01 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5077 [$]2173.90

Thompson Communications Media Buy 10 01 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5074 [$]45635.00

Thompson Communications Media Buy 10 05 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5072 [$]87009.80

Capital Enhancement, Inc. Fundraising Consulting Fee 10 17 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5124 [$]17020.00

Capital Enhancement, Inc. Fundraising Consulting Fee 10 15 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5119 [$]2079.11

Thompson Communications Media Buy 10 03 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5075 [$]13420.00

Thompson Communications Media Production 10 04 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5083 [$]9183.17

Thompson Communications Media Buy 10 04 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5073 [$]302465.00

The Freedom Project Washington DC Refund of Contribution 10 17 2012 Transaction ID : 21019.E5125 [$]5000.00

[emphasis added]

That would explain all the ads running on our tee-vee sets which aren’t available on Youtube.

Evidently, freedom isn’t free, but it does get a refund.

We just saw a campaign television ad wherein Vicky Hartzler touts her “saving the taxpayers” money bonafides when it comes to her congressional office expenses, “leading by example to cut my office budget” (Sorry, she doesn’t appear to be posting her campaign ad videos online. Wouldn’t want us peasants fact checking her assertions, now, would we?). Really? Let’s talk about sending out mail at taxpayer expense. We remember a little something about Vicky Hartzler’s use of the congressional franking privilege (the perk which allows members of Congress to send mailings out for free):

Republicans Who Campaigned To End Taxpayer-Funded Campaigning Spend Big On Taxpayer Funded Flyers

By Josh Israel on May 16, 2012 at 10:12 am

The House Tea Party Caucus, chaired by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), says it seeks to represent the views of the people who have “had enough of the reckless spending and vast government overreach coming from Washington.” Fifteen House freshmen are part of the 60-member, all-Republican caucus. The group talks passionately about cutting spending and the need to “work towards getting our fiscal house in order, before the burden of debt is passed onto our children and grandchildren.”

Surprisingly, three of the freshmen Tea Party members were among the ten biggest spenders on taxpayer-funded mailings of the 444 people who served in the House over the last nine months of 2011, according to a new report by USA Today. They were:

   #4 Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), $263,083

   #8 Rep.Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), $253,156

   #10 Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), $237,355

[….]

But Hertzler defended her mailings, telling USA Today, “After 34 years of leadership by [the district’s previous Congressman, Rep. Ike Skelton (D)], we feel like it’s important for me people to get to know me and for me to hear from them. It’s part of serving the people that you represent is to communicate with them, and that’s always been a priority of mine.”

[….]

[emphasis added]

Yep, that’s number eight out of 444 members in spending on those campaign style franked (paid for by taxpayer) mailings.

“…It’s part of serving the people that you represent is to communicate with them, and that’s always been a priority of mine….”

Except when it’s not. A just eleven days ago, in the Warrensburg Daily Star Journal:

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

[….]

10/18/2012 5:42:00 PM

Experienced prosecutor seeks to unseat incumbent [subscription required]

ELECTIONS 2012

Jack Miles

Editor

….Hartzler’s campaign declined to participate in answering the survey….

[emphasis added]

A priority. Yeah, right.

After seeing the Vicky Hartzler’s pious promoter of rectitude in government spending television ad we thought we’d check the latest available (June) quarterly Statement of Disbursements [pdf] (page 1024) showing Representative Hartzler’s expenditures in the House of Representatives. Sure enough, the stuff applicable to franking:

2012 HON. VICKY HARTZLER

OFFICIAL EXPENSES OF MEMBERS

FRANKED MAIL

YTD AMOUNT [$]67,959.99

QUARTERLY AMOUNT [$]66,766.54

04-26 AP 00433019 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE  03/01/12 03/31/12 FRANKED MAIL [$]25,613.11

04-26 AP 00433153 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE  03/01/12 03/31/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] 673.05

04-30 GL FLG0018871  04/20/12 04/30/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] -23.40

05-17 AP 00447400 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE  04/01/12 04/30/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] 826.85

05-30 AP 00456860 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE  04/01/12 04/30/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] 26,923.56

05-31 GL FLG0019712 05/20/12 05/31/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] -40.19

06-22 AP 00475713 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE  05/01/12 05/31/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] 628.21

06-29 AP 00479334 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE  05/01/12 05/31/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] 12,200.88

06-29 GL FLG0020488  06/20/12 06/30/12 FRANKED MAIL [$] -35.53

[….]

04-04 AP 00416303 CASS CNTY DEMOCRAT-MISSOURIAN  02/28/12 02/28/12 ADVERTISEMENTS [$] 1,020.00

04-04 AP 00416305 PLEASANT HILL TIMES  03/07/12 03/07/12 ADVERTISEMENTS [$] 360.00

04-27 AP 00433889 THE FRANKING GROUP  03/09/12 03/09/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 8,083.00

04-27 AP 00433891 THE FRANKING GROUP  02/28/12 02/28/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 10,434.00

05-22 AP 00453044 THE FRANKING GROUP  04/26/12 04/26/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 15,192.00

05-23 AP 00453755 THE FRANKING GROUP  04/24/12 04/24/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 11,895.00

06-04 AP 00459298 ACCURATE WORD LLC.  05/11/12 05/11/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 141.90

06-04 AP 00459299 ACCURATE WORD, LLC  05/04/12 05/04/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 39.90

06-04 AP 00459305 MAJORITY STRATEGIES  04/24/12 04/24/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 17,918.04

06-04 AP 00459792 ACCURATE WORD LLC.  03/02/12 03/02/12 PRINTING & REPRODUCTION [$] 31.90

PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION TOTALS: [$] 65,115.74

And what kind of “communicating with constituents” franked mail did Vicky Hartzler (r) send on the taxpayers’ dimes?:

A campaign style franked mail piece from June 2012 sent by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r).

Yep, you got it. Campaign style mailers.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): frankly, the mail keeps coming (June 15, 2012)

Teresa Hensley (D): ad – Vicky Hartzler (r) has a few issues (June 13, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): We’ve got mail (May 4, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Clinton town hall – April 5, 2012 – part 2 (April 6, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): frankly, the importance of being Vicky (December 11, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): frankly, it’s all about wedge issues (November 22, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Who needs the NRA… (September 17, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): franking right wingnut propaganda on Medicare (August 27, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): frankly, it looks like a campaign mailing (July 7, 2011)

A new ad from Teresa Hensley’s (D) campaign:

Announcer: People are turning to Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley for Congress. The Star said, Prosecutor Hensley far outclasses Congresswoman Hartzler. The Tribune says, Hensley’s a moderate law and order type with eminent good sense.

Hensley will do what’s right, protect Medicare, create jobs, put Missouri’s middle class first.  

Teresa Hensley (D): I’ll fight for Missouri priorities in Washington, like I have in the Prosecutor’s Office. Our seniors can count on me to protect Medicare and Social Security.

I am Teresa Hensley and I approve this message.

Previously:

Not something you see in the paper every day (October 30, 2012)

Teresa Hensley (D) in the 4th Congressional District: endorsement by the Kansas City Star (October 19, 2012)

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

Teresa Hensley (D) (left) and Vicky Hartzler (r) (right).

This past weekend in the Kansas City Star:

Posted on Sat, Oct. 27, 2012 09:39 PM

The Star’s editorial | Best picks on Missouri ballot

[….]

U.S. House, 4th District:

Teresa Hensley

Why? The Democratic challenger from Raymore has proven her talents as Cass County prosecutor. She is smarter and much more reasonable than incumbent tea party obstructionist Vicky Hartzler.

[….]

[bold emphasis in original][underline emphasis added]

In the Kansas City Star in 2010, from Yael Abouhalkah:

Just say ‘no’ to Prop A, Hartzler, Kobach, Eilert and Mason

….Hartzler, of all the local candidates I’ve interviewed this year, has the most vacuous answers on important issues. She offers little more than ultra-conservative sound-bite positions….

[underline emphasis added]

We’ve seen it twice. About the same republican candidate in two different elections.

The price of gas continues to drop. Curiously, republicans are no longer beating their gas price drums.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Congratulations to the Mizzou Tigers on their big win yesterday! 1:13 PM – 28 Oct 12

Nope. Nothing yet about falling gas prices.

The price of gas in west central Missouri in the afternoon on October 29, 2012.

Previously:

Vicky Hartzler (r): the sound of silence (October 23, 2012)

The past, the gas, and isms (September 24, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas – part 2 (June 6, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas (May 27, 2012)

One hundred sixty-six pages.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): “Benghazigate” hearing – another republican clown show (October 11, 2012)

Vice Presidential Debate: chutzpah (October 11, 2012)

Presidential Debate: Benghazi, Libya was an act of terror (October 16, 2012)

The House republicans continue to trip over themselves when it comes to Libya. Last week:

Rep. Issa Defends Potentially Endangering Libyan Lives

By Hayes Brown on Oct 22, 2012 at 2:45 pm

The Republican politicization of the Benghazi attack may have endangered the lives of several Libyan nationals. Rep. Darrel Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform, released 166 pages of documents [PDF] on Friday as part of his investigation into the Obama administration’s response to the Sept. 11, 2012 attack.

That evening, Foreign Policy reported that the documents contained unredacted names of several Libyans working closely with the United States government….

….Rep. Gerry Connoly (D-VA), who also sits on the Oversight Committee, likewise issued a statement saying, “The irony is that while Chairman Issa purports to be sincere in his desire to investigate the recent attack so that we can learn how best to protect our diplomats in the future, his own actions have now compromised the safety of U.S. personnel and Libyans working together to forge a better Libya.”

This is not the first time that the Oversight Committee’s Republican majority has possibly exposed sensitive information in the course of their investigation into Benghazi. During the Oct. 10 hearing, Issa and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) may have revealed the classified location of a CIA safehouse while viewing an unclassified map….

….Unclassified documents also can receive labels that advise their level of ability for distribution. For example, the documents released by the Government and Oversight Committee were labeled “unclassified, but sensitive,” meaning that while their contents would not harm the United States directly, they are not intended for wide release.

Rep. Issa has been quoted, according a partial transcript released by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), as referring these unclassified designations as “crap.” Those whose names were published would likely argue otherwise.

[emphasis added]

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r), dim bulb that she is, is no exception. Via Representative Hartzler’s most recent constituent e-mail, dated yesterday, in reference to Libya:

….It is astonishing that with this new information, the Administration’s first response was to blame a video clip for inciting the attack rather than acknowledging the role of radical terrorists intent on killing our people….

….Strikingly, most of the information the public is learning is through media reports….

….The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee convened earlier this month to investigate why the State Department had failed to increase security at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi prior to the terrorist attack. Additionally, Chairman Darrell Issa and Congressman Jason Chaffetz sent a letter and 166 pages of supporting documents to President Obama on October 19th demanding answers about the Administration’s course in Libya prior to the attacks. So far, they have received no answers from the White House. This is unacceptable….

….Sensitive and classified information has been stolen by looters sifting through the rubble of the unsecured Benghazi Consulate….

[emphasis added]

“….Strikingly, most of the information the public is learning is through media reports….”

And some of that sensitive material Representative Hartzler (r) is so concerned about was released to the public via the media by the republican controlled Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearings held earlier this month.

Ironic, no?

“….It is astonishing that with this new information, the Administration’s first response was to blame a video clip for inciting the attack rather than acknowledging the role of radical terrorists intent on killing our people….”

The next morning after the attack, September 12, 2012, at the White House Rose Garden, President Obama:

….No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.  Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America.  We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act.  And make no mistake, justice will be done….

[emphasis added]

Vicky Hartzler (r) is an idiot.