Coffman Proud of Endorsements

The CCP has endorsed Amy Coffman. This is a piece I got in the mail on Saturday. Even my friend Dan at Gone Mild will have to admit this is a professional looking piece. The CCP logo looks great along side the other progressive groups in KC.

44th Race

I have to say I was proud to see 2 candidates for the 44th out working hard in the rain yesterday. Amy Coffman was at my polling place at the Baptist church on Wornall Road. She was handing out this very nice piece.

Jason Kander had a nice woman handing out this flyer to a Mother's Day Celebration. Both candidates are obviously very serious and very motivated. No Mary Spence sighting. Clearly, there are different styles. Amy has a more professional piece that shows some impressive endorsements. Kander lists lots of folks in the 44th that have endorsed his campaign and a Mother's Day celebration is clearly showing his softer side in a race against two women.

What do you think? Is one piece more effective for the very progressive 44th?

GUEST EDITORIAL - Open Letter To Chris Koster from Jason Kander

Dear Senator Koster,

I congratulate you on your excellent decision to become a member of the Missouri Democratic Party. You'll find it liberating, I think, to fight unapologetically for those who need your advocacy most, working families. That said, I urge you not to seek our party's nomination for Attorney General. My hope is that you will instead run for re-election in the 31st District.

I am the last person to talk about the importance of "paying dues," but I do prefer that you contribute to our side of the aisle for a time. I appreciate very much your positions on life sciences, collective bargaining, and the judiciary, and I hope that you'll also find your way to our positions on other important issues, such as reproductive choice, medicaid, and equal rights regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

But before you don the banner of my fine party in pursuit of one of this state's most important offices, I would prefer that you brave a few of the experiences that we in the Missouri Democratic Party have come to know. For instance, while going door to door in the 31st Senate district, how will you answer voters that call you a "baby killer" for your support of women's rights? What will you say to your Republican opponent who calls you a "tax and spend liberal" for your desire to provide healthcare to the working poor? And on civil rights, will you speak up for your fellow Democrats as they champion equality for those in the LGBT community, or will you attempt to fly below the "value debate" radar?

My aim is to give you the benefit of the doubt. I choose to believe you when you say that this is a deeply personal decision and not a case of political opportunism. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that though you regret your actions, such as the punishment of my State Senator and her constituents for her principled stand on MOHELA, you are unable to undo them. And therefore I welcome you to our party with open arms, but I ask that you fight from within our ranks for a time before asking us to fall in behind you.

Jason Kander Well Situated for Mo-44

Jenee Low is retiring from the General Assembly next year, and Jason Kander has raised over $66,000 in preparation for his race to keep her seat in progressive hands. Beyond that, Jason has been pounding the pavement, introducing himself to people and letting them know that he is interested, informed, and ready to make a difference in Jefferson City.

My personal opinion on the race may be found here, but I think I can speak for the entire CCP membership in saying that the 44th District, composed of Waldo, Brookside, and the Ward Parkway corridor, is a seat that should always be held by a strong, progressive Democrat. Thanks to Jenee Low for serving us well, and we are eager to make certain that her replacement does an effective job of representing our values in Jefferson City.