Previously: Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) and Rep. Joe Wilson (r) in Warrensburg on defense sequestration (September 18, 2012)

Yesterday and today we covered two events on the same campus involving two candidates, the republican incumbent and the Democratic challenger, for the 4th Congressional seat. The trappings of office and the different venues aside, the two events couldn’t have better illustrated the difference between the two candidates.

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley spoke this afternoon on the campus of the University of Central Missouri as a guest of student Democrats. She made opening remarks and then took questions from the approximately thirty individuals in attendance, including media. Like Vicky Hartzler’s (r) event last night, the editors of the Sedalia and Warrensburg papers and two bloggers, minus the AP reporter, were there to cover the event.

Cass County Prosecutor and 4th Congressional District Democratic Party candidate Teresa Hensley,

speaking in Warrensburg on the campus of the University of Central Missouri on September 19, 2012.

Listening to a question.

Ultimately Teresa Hensley’s (D) event today also addressed the same issue as Vicky Hartzler’s (r) stylized Congressional event, sequestration (automatic cuts) in the defense budget. The big difference was that Teresa Hensley (D), unlike Vicky Hartzler (r), also addressed the other side of the sequestration coin, the mandated cuts to the non military discretionary budget (which includes cuts to Medicare).

And, the difference in process between the two events was stark.

Vicky Hartzler’s (r) event included another member of Congress with her on the stage, was held in an 1100 seat venue with approximately 80 people in attendance, incorporated opening remarks, then prepared remarks by “community leaders”, then a selection of submitted questions and comments pulled from a large basket (there didn’t appear to be a random nature to the selection).

Interestingly enough, in a sort of epistemic closure:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Great Defending the Defenders Listening Session tonight! Thank you to all who came & took part. Everyone agrees we must stop sequestration! 7:35 PM – 18 Sep 12

[emphasis added]

Teresa Hensley’s (D) event was held in a lecture hall with space for about seventy-five people and ended up having approximately thirty people in attendance. Teresa Hensley stood on her own, spoke at length and then took questions. Everyone who wanted to ask a question was given the opportunity to do so. The questions weren’t screened and at least one individual was obviously a supporter of Teresa Hensley’s opponent. Teresa Hensley appeared very comfortable with the give and take.

There is a difference.  

A little over a year ago, from the republican Speaker of the House of Representatives:

Boehner: I got ’98 percent’ of what I wanted in debt deal

By Daniel Strauss – 08/02/11 08:27 AM ET

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said he got “98 percent” of what he wanted in the final deal to raise the debt ceiling.

“When you look at this final agreement that we came to with the White House, I got 98 percent of what I wanted. I’m pretty happy,” Boehner said in an interview with CBS News on Monday evening….

….The measure passed the House Monday 269-161, with 174 Republicans backing the bill. Sixty-six Republicans voted against the plan….

[emphasis added]

This evening Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) was the host of an event in Warrensburg on the subject of sequestration in the defense budget. At least one member of Congress, Randy Forbes (r) from Virginia, who was scheduled to appear could not do so due to a “conflict”. Representative Joe Wilson (r) from South Carolina joined Representative Hartzler on the stage and participated with opening remarks and in answering the submitted questions. Yes, that Joe Wilson.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) (left) and Representative Joe Wilson (r) (right).

Today, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

“I voted no on #sequestration. I believe its wrong to threaten our national security in that way.” 5:30 PM – 18 Sep 12

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Honored to have Rep. Joe Wilson speaking. Community leaders also addressing #defense cuts. 4:53 PM – 18 Sep 12

There were a number of “community leaders” who spoke on stage to the two Congresspersons lamenting the negative economic impact on local economies if sequestration cuts in the defense budget were to proceed.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

#sequestration slated to raise unemployment by another percent. #MO would lose over 33k jobs. 4:45 PM – 18 Sep 12

Who knew that the defense budget was a stimulus plan for local economies?

The event was held in Hendricks Hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri. There were approximately 80 people who attended the event, including an Associated Press reporter, the editors of the Sedalia and Warrensburg papers, and two bloggers. The hall can seat approximately 1100 people.

Today, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Shocking Pres. Obama refuses to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu when he comes to the U.S. During this critical time we must stand with Israel. 10:36 AM – 12 Sep 12

Because foreign leaders should always dictate American foreign policy?:

Israeli Sharpens Call for United States to Set Iran Trigger

By DAVID E. SANGER and ISABEL KERSHNER

Published: September 11, 2012

WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel inserted himself into the most contentious foreign policy issue of the American presidential campaign on Tuesday, criticizing the Obama administration for refusing to set clear “red lines” on Iran’s nuclear progress that would prompt the United States to undertake a military strike….

Oh, it’s really just neoconservative spin:

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 11, 2012

Readout of the President’s Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu for an hour tonight as a part of their ongoing consultations. The two leaders discussed the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, and our close cooperation on Iran and other security issues. President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed that they are united in their determination to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and agreed to continue their close consultations going forward. Contrary to reports in the press, there was never a request for Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama in Washington, nor was a request for a meeting ever denied.

[emphasis added]

I know, it’s shocking that a right wingnut republican backbencher regurgitates neoconservative blather.

Previously: Campaign Finance: FEC 48 Hour Notice – Vicky Hartzler (r) – 4th Congressional District (September 3, 2012)

We thought we’d take a look at Federal Election Commission 48 Hour Notices (FEC Form 6) in the 4th Congressional District race over the last few weeks (since the last quarterly report).

For Teresa Hensley (r):

07/24/2012 09 : 16 Image# 12952588785

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES P E O P L E 1625 L STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 Transaction ID : C5304269 07/23/2012 [$]1000.00

Jack L. Campbell 6318 Morningside Dr Kansas City 64113-2309 Transaction ID : C5304308 Polsinelli Shugart Attorney 07/23/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

Organized Labor – that’s working people!

07/26/2012 10 : 39 Image# 12952592288

Joyce A. Aboussie 76 Overhills Dr Saint Louis MO 63124-1532 Transaction ID : C5321135 Aboussie & Associates CEO 07/25/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

07/27/2012 14 : 42 Image# 12952599114

Anita Porte Robb 5500 Ward Pkwy Kansas City MO 64113-1118 Transaction ID : C5321714 Robb and Robb LLC Attorney 07/26/2012 [$]1500.00

Gary C. Robb 5500 Ward Pkwy Kansas City MO 64113-1118 Transaction ID : C5321717 Robb and Robb LLC Attorney 07/26/2012 [$]2500.00

[emphasis added]

07/29/2012 22 : 01 Image# 12952599794

AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION – COPE 5025 WISCONSIN AVENUE N.W. WASHINGTON DC 20016 Transaction ID : C5322389 07/27/2012 [$]2500.00

Greg Graves 9400 Ward Pkwy Kansas City MO 64114-3319 Transaction ID : C5322387 Burns & McDonnell President and CEO 07/27/2012 [$]1000.00

Transport Workers Union 501 THIRD ST. NW 9TH FLOOR WASHINGTON DC 20001 Transaction ID : C5322394 Transport Workers Union 07/27/2012 [$]2000.00

[emphasis added]

Organized Labor – that’s working people!

08/01/2012 08 : 56 Image# 12952602396

United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters THREE PARK PLACE ANNAPOLIS MD 21401 Transaction ID : C5332443 United Association of Plumbers & Pipef 07/31/2012 [$]5000.00

[emphasis added]

Organized Labor – that’s working people!

08/02/2012 16 : 25 Image# 12971838581

Ironworkers Political Action League 1750 New York Avenue, N.W. Washington DC 20006 Transaction ID : C5334292 08/01/2012 [$]4000.00

[emphasis added]

Organized Labor – that’s working people!

08/04/2012 12 : 26 Image# 12952616597

Grant L. Davis 5020 W 67th St Prairie Village KS 66208-1402 Transaction ID : C5337205 Davis Bethune Attorney 08/03/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

There is a difference.

Oh, and the “trial attorney” vapors that are sure to emanate from right wingnuts is laughable.

We thought we’d take a look at Federal Election Commission 48 Hour Notices (FEC Form 6) in the 4th Congressional District race over the last few weeks (since the last quarterly report).

For Vicky Hartzler (r):

07/20/2012 16 : 44 Image# 12952568639

Billy Long For Congress 1675 E Seminole St Ste F Springfield MO 65804-2454 Transaction ID : 20720.C10070 07/20/2012 [$]1000.00

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KC PAC 2301 Main Street Kansas City MO 64108 Transaction ID : 20719.C10067 07/19/2012 [$]2000.00

Elloine Clark 3838 Oak Lawn Ave. Suite 911 Dallas TX 75219 Transaction ID : 20720.C10068 Retired 07/20/2012 [$]2500.00

Gerald Chip Cook 2015 E Dale St Springfield MO 65803-4637 Transaction ID : 20720.C10069 Loren Cook Company Chairman 07/20/2012 [$]1000.00

Mark Sutherland 4000 Main St Kansas City MO 64111-2313 Transaction ID : 20719.C10066 Sutherland Lumber Co. Owner 07/19/2012 [$]1000.00

[emphasis added]

07/26/2012 14 : 24 Image# 12971833881

Barry Corona 1124 Tamaron Place St Louis MO 63131 Transaction ID : 20725.C10090 Production Products President 07/25/2012 [$]2500.00

Friends of Joe Pitts PO Box 775 Unionville PA 19375 Transaction ID : 20726.C10092 07/25/2012 [$]1000.00

Daniel Gaffney 16823 Chesterfield Bluff Cir. Chesterfield MO 63005 Transaction ID : 20725.C10089 Production Products Vice President 07/25/2012 [$]2500.00

Jeffrey Sutton 23908 E 355th St Archie MO 64725 Transaction ID : 20725.C10088 Sutton Trucking, Inc. Owner 07/25/2012 [$]1000.00

Thoroughbred PAC PO Box 65116 Washington DC 20035 Transaction ID : 20726.C10091 07/25/2012 [$]2000.00

[emphasis added]

Thoroughbred PAC? That would be Congressman Ed Whitfield (r):

Imperial President?

by U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01)

Jun 21, 2012

I’m beginning to think that President Barack Obama believes he is an “Imperial President,” that he has to answer to no one else, and that there are no other branches of government.  

The campaign critic of extending executive power has now issued more than 100 Executive Orders….

That could explain this.

The FEC reports continue:

07/30/2012 16 : 51 Image# 12952600121

Jerry Schnelle 613 Route V V Golden City MO 64747 Transaction ID : 20730.C10134 Self-employed Farmer 07/28/2012 [$]2000.00

[emphasis added]

08/01/2012 15 : 38 Image# 12952603006

Dealers Election Action Committee 8400 Westpark Drive McLean VA 22102 Transaction ID : 20801.C10136 07/31/2012 [$]2500.00

Judy Wood 17701 South Timber Ridge Road Belton MO 64012 Transaction ID : 20801.C10135 Homemaker 07/30/2012 [$]2500.00

[emphasis added]

08/03/2012 12 : 45 Image# 12952612402

Glen Dieckmann PO Box 95 Levasy MO 64066-0095 Transaction ID : 20803.C10156 Lafayette Truck & Trailer Owner 08/03/2012 [$]1000.00

Lone Star Leadership Pac 7315 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda MD 20814 Transaction ID : 20803.C10153 PAC 08/02/2012 [$]1000.00

Edward Jones Pac 12555 Manchester Road St Louis MO 63131 Transaction ID : 20803.C10155 08/02/2012 [$]2500.00

Pete Sessions for Congress PO Box 823047 Dallas TX 75382 Transaction ID : 20803.C10154 08/02/2012 [$]2000.00

[emphasis added]

Lone Star leadership PAC? That would be Congressman Michael Burgess (r) [from 2011]:

GOP Rep: Obama Impeachment ‘Needs To Happen’

By Tanya Somanader on Aug 9, 2011 at 11:20 am

At a town hall meeting yesterday, a Tea Party member urged Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) to bring impeachment proceedings against President Obama in the House. Burgess replied, “It needs to happen, and I agree with you it would tie things up…No question about that.” When asked to clarify, Burgess said he wasn’t sure what the proper charges to bring against Obama would be, but reiterated his support for such a move. “We need to tie things up,” he said. “The longer we allow the damage to continue unchecked, the worse things are going to be for us.” Burgess joins numerous House Republicans in their impeachment-saber rattling.

That Congressman Pete Sessions (r)? [from 2008]:

PACs put the fun in fundraising

by Steve Henn

Marketplace for Tuesday, July 22, 2008

[….]

Sessions: That’s right, we do a Las Vegas fundraiser every year and not only raise money, but see Las Vegas. It’s a beautiful town.

Henn: Forty Deuce is a strip club.

Sessions: You know, I’ve never seen that. It is what I would call a burlesque show where there’s a woman who comes out and has a dress on… Uh, she never get’s naked. There’s no nudity, there’s no nudity in there.

[….]

And here we all thought PAC money was raised at local bake sales. Evidently not. The local and bake sale parts, that is.

Saline County Democrats held their first annual Ike Skelton Sevice Award dinner in Marshall, Missouri on Friday, August 31st. The recipient of the first award – for service to the people of Saline County – was Hazel Willet, a long time legislative assistant for Saline County legislators in the Missouri General Assembly. The award was a well kept secret until the announcement that evening and a complete surprise to the recipient who was in attendance.

Former Congressman Ike Skelton (D) at the annual Ike Skelton Service Award Dinner in Marshall, Missouri on August 31, 2012.

A number of Democratic office holders and candidates, statewide and local, attended the dinner. It was an opportunity to visit with Democratic Party voters and an opportunity for those voters to meet and interact with their various representatives and candidates. It’s retail politics at its best.

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley (D) (center left) and former Congressman Ike Skelton (D) (center right). Teresa Hensley is the Democratic candidate in the 4th Congressional District which to 2010 had previously been Ike Skelton’s seat.

Yes, there’s always good food and patriotic table decorations at these events:

 

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley, the Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District.

Former State Representative Jim Seigfreid (D) (left) and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D) (right).

Gary Grigsby, the Democratic Party candidate in the 51st Legislative District which includes portions of Marshall and Saline County.

Phyllis Domann (far left), the Democratic Party candidate in the 52nd Legislative District and Teresa Hensley. Elgene Ver Dught (right), the Democratic Party candidate in the 21st Senate District.

Office holders and candidates were given the opportunity to speak. In every instance they kept their remarks brief, in deference to the purpose of the evening – and also already having spent time meeting and greeting the dinner attendees before the start of the formal activities.

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D). His district will include Marshall and Saline County when redistricting takes effect.

Teresa Hensley (D) (left) and Attorney General Chris Koster (D) (right).

ElGene Ver Dught (D).

Phyllis Domann (D).

Gary Grigsby (D).

Former Congressman Ike Skelton (D) addressed the audience before the award was announced.

An excerpt from Ike Skelton’s remarks:

Ike Skelton (D): ….I, uh, can step back a little bit from the political fray and I, I feel somewhat heartbroken. America became great because of our positive attitude toward life. What we’ve had is the challenges, some pretty tough ones, but we always overcame them. It was a positive attitude of America.

Alexis de Tocqueville, in eighteen forty, visited America and he went back and wrote a book, Democracy in America, in his native France. And he wrote that America is great because America is good. And should America ever stop being good then America will stop being great.

And all you have to do is listen to the radio and the television and read the items in the newspapers and you will see an America that is bathed in negativism. This really, really bothers me. And if our country is to continue to be the bastion of freedom in this world we’re gonna have to change the tune of what we hear. We’re going to have to regain America is good attitude all across the board. And politicians ought to lead that effort and say what’s going to better our country and we can make it better. That’s the challenge that we ought to be accepting, rather than the challenge of tearing down another party or tearing down another candidate. It’s got to change. [applause]

Politics is not a dirty word. Politics is the art of government. It’s a good thing. I’ve enjoyed it all my life. My daddy was very involved with it, my mother was very involved with it. And I also became involved with it. And it was a good ride for me. I enjoyed it. Most of all I enjoyed the serious friendships that we made through the years. And memories are great. And that is the greatest pay I can, anyone in public office can receive.

[….]

You know, we have with us two previous prosecuting attorneys, Teresa Hensley, Chris Koster, and both of them are tied for a prize. Both of them win the prize for being the second best prosecuting attorney [laughter] in the State of Missouri. [applause] Being modest, I will not tell you who is the best one [laughter].

[….]

Attorney General Chris Koster (D) (right).

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D).

After the dinner and speeches the conversations continued.

Ike Skelton and Teresa Hensley. Photo by Jerry Schmidt.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) sent out her weekly constituent e-mail. It opens with:

From: Representative Vicky Hartzler [….]

Date: Sat, Sep 1, 2012 [….]

Subject: View From the Capitol – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s Newsletter for the Week of August 27-31, 2012

To: [….]

Labor Day heralds the end of the traditional summer driving season. And, many Missourians hitting the road for the last bit of summer fun….

That’s it for Labor Day.

The e-mail continues with previous boilerplate blaming President Obama for higher gas prices now than when he took office (debunked here) and blaming  “Senate liberals” for not helping republicans further coddle big oil. Who knew that Tom Harkin (D) had such power? She also throws in a gratuitous jab at the Environmental Protection Agency for good measure.

Why Labor Day is a holiday (since 1894):

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

[….]

Those damn union thugs.

Astroturf refers to apparently grassroots-based citizen groups or coalitions that are primarily conceived, created and/or funded by corporations, industry trade associations, political interests or public relations firms.

Yesterday Representative Vicky Hatzler (r) sent out her latest e-mail missive with some interesting observations an Medicare:

From: Representative Vicky Hartzler [….]

Date: Sat, Aug 25, 2012 at [….]

Subject: View From the Capitol – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s Newsletter for the Week of August 20-24, 2012

To: [….]

….The deficit for 2012 alone….

….On another matter, I felt honored this week to be recognized for my efforts to address issues involving senior citizens. I was presented with the “Standing Up for America’s Seniors” award by RetireSafe – a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of America’s seniors on such issues as Social Security, Medicare, health and financial well-being….

[emphasis added]

There is a history of receiving astroturf awards.

Let’s take a look at RetireSafe [2004]:

….RetireSafe is a project of the Council for Government Reform, a corporate-backed group that advocates privatization of Social Security and other government services….

[emphasis added]

Uh, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t privatizing Social Security the third rail of American politics? Like that worked out so well for George W. Bush.

Via OpenSecrets [2012]:

Client Total Subsidiary (Lobbied For) Industry

Council for Government Reform $144,341 RetireSafe Repub/Conservative

[emphasis added]

So much for “nonpartisan”. Their financial numbers are down quite a bit from peaks in 2000, 2005 and 2010. 2011 was a particularly minimalist year.

Interesting, let’s look at what RetireSafe was up to when Medicare, part D was in the works.:

The Hill

September 22, 2004 Wednesday

Want to earn quick $4K? See GOP firm

By Bob Cusack

….A recent e-mail sent from the DCI Group’s Starlee Rhoades to healthcare consultants says that the campaign will run from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 and that the client is RetireSafe, which has sponsored the hiring of healthcare consultants….

….Reached yesterday, Rhoades initially denied that she was involved in this campaign. But when told that her e-mail had been distributed widely, Rhoades said, “I can’t talk about it.”

In a faxed comment, RetireSafe acknowledged it has launched a nationwide education effort on the new Medicare drug law….

Yes, that Medicare, part D. You know:

A Windfall From Shifts to Medicare

By MILT FREUDENHEIM

Published: July 18, 2006

….in creating the federal Part D program, Congress – in what critics saw as a sop to the drug industry – barred the government from having a negotiating role….

Saving money with the ability to negotiate volume discounts? Not a priority.

Economic Downturn and Bush Policies Continue to Drive Large Projected Deficits

Economic Recovery Measures, Financial Rescues Have Only Temporary Impact

By Kathy Ruffing and James R. Horney

May 10, 2011

….One of the major domestic initiatives of the Bush Administration was enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (known informally as the Medicare Modernization Act, or MMA). The MMA created a new prescription-drug benefit in Medicare, known as Medicare Part D. This legislation was only partly paid for, and it added significantly to the deficit that President Obama inherited….

….CBO now expects the net cost of Medicare Part D over that initial 2004-2013 period to be about $375 billion (as compared to the original $552 billion figure). But, it is not possible to tell whether the savings in Medicaid and other programs have deviated from CBO’s original estimate of $157 billion….

I don’t think Representative Hartzler (r) quite gets the irony of happily trumpeting an award she received from an astroturf group which at one time advocated for legislation which increased the national debt, while at the same time she decries that same national debt.  

Missouri 4th Congressional District candidate Teresa Hensley made campaign stops on Saturday, August 25 in Webster, Barton and Cedar Counties. Hensley arrived at her last stop of the day, the local community building in Stockton, fresh off a rain-soaked walk in the annual Lamar parade. Before heading home, she spent about 90 minutes sharing a pleasant smile, lots of conversation, and a rousing stump speech with about 35 local Democrats.

It’s one of many stops Hensley has made in the southern side of the 4th, and she’s getting great reviews like the one in the Nevada Daily Mail:

Hensley promises ‘common sense’ service

And, she added a few observations about her opponent’s silence in the Akin mess of the past week, noting that the press is also asking questions of Vicky Hartzler:

Hensley criticizes Hartzler for staying silent on Akin

This is a tremendously articulate, informed and dynamic candidate. Her experience as Cass County prosecutor gives her a trained and caring ear to listen to people’s problems and find solutions. We are lucky to have a candidate of her caliber in the 4th.

Pictures to follow.

( – promoted by Michael Bersin)

In 2004, before she ran for Congress, Vicky Hartzler was the spokesperson for the campaign to amend the Missouri Constitution to outlaw same sex marriages and civil unions. A Massachusetts court had just ruled in favor of marriage equality, so some on the religious right were nervous, upset and willing to work to prevent gay people from getting legal recognition for their relationships. On July 27, 2004, Hartzler went on a Christian radio show to promote her crusade against marriage equality. In the course of the 15 minute interview, Hartzler draws comparisons between gay marriage and 10 different things that are very different from gay marriage. Here’s her list:

1. Untested social experiment

2. 12-year-olds with driver’s licenses

3. Blind people with driver’s licenses

4. Impersonating a doctor

5. Counterfeit $20 bills

6. Driving 90 miles per hour

7. Three people getting married

8. Five people getting married

9. Polygamy

10. A man marrying a horse

Here is a 2 minute video highlighting each of the items above:

And here is the full 15 minute interview:

Here’s a transcript of the full interview.

Hartzler is running for reelection this year in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District. If you would like to be represented by someone who doesn’t go on the air and compare same-sex relationships to man-on-horse sex, then you might want to vote for her opponent, Teresa Hensley.