Rep. Blunt and Sen. Stevens

You know what they say about birds of a feather . . .

Just a little flash back to 2006. The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington came up with a list of the 20 most corrupt politicians in DC. Guess who came in at #1 - Congressman Roy Blunt. This non-partisan group is so good at picking out the corrupt politicians, they picked Congressman William Jefferson (the Democrat from LA with a freezer full of cash).

What did Roy Blunt do to get listed as #1? "Rep. Blunt's ethics issues stem from the misuse of his position to benefit family members, his connections to Jack Abramoff, and a trip paid for by a foreign agent." The report details of helping out big tobacco companies to assist his wife, but what I thought was prophetic is that he helped out UPS and Fed Ex when his son, Andy Blunt, was the lobbyist for these two companies. When Blunt needed a kindred spirit, he went to his good friend, Sen. Ted Stevens. After almost $100,000 in political contributions from these two companies (and giving his young son some work), the only person that would help Congressman Blunt insert a special provision in a bill was Sen. Stevens. Blunt and Stevens co-hosted a party together, sponsored bills together

Sen. Stevens was convicted of violating federal ethics rules and run out of office. Here's hoping Missouri voters end Roy Blunt's political career, too.

Robin Carnahan - Standing up for the Elderly

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan comes by some things naturally, like standing up for the elderly.

The St. Louis Biz Journal has an article about Robin sticking up for an elderly St. Louis woman who was ripped off by some shady financial companies. OK, that is her job to regulate securities, but Robin does a fine job.

It's good to know that someone is out there fighting for middle class America.

Roy for Senate

It's about time we returned to real Missouri values.

You know, we need more of the Blunt family in our state. Matt Blunt has shown himself to be a leader in ethics and open government during his four years as Governor. His father, Congressman Roy Blunt, represents real Missouri values. Like when he divorced his wife to marry a tobacco lobbyist; those are family values. Then, when tobacco companies needed a favor, Blunt helped out his lobbyist wife by inserting language into a bill.

I can't wait for Roy Blunt to bring his record of family values and self-dealing to the US Senate.

Hulshof is Blunt-lite

Congressman Kenny Hulshof looks like the favorite Republican in the run for governor - favorite of the Blunt/Abramoff/Corporate crowd.

Learn a little more about Hulshof from this video.



Congressman Hulsof was looking at the governor's race 4 years ago when Congressman Roy Blunt (then majority WHIP - ouch) got Kenny to back in line. At least whatever promises were made 4 years ago are being kept now.

Blunt Won't Seek Reelection!

Blunt Won't Seek Reelection.

Look for Roy to retire, the Republicans put Matt into that lay up spot and Sara Steelman to run for governor! Don't forget Jim Talent or Congressman Kenny Hulshof.

Here's Matt's statement that he has done everything he promised - including kicking 100,000 people off Medicaid.

The Chair of the Republicans said "I also appreciate Governor Blunt’s commitment to ensuring the next governor of our state is a Republican who will continue to employ the principles of personal responsibility, fiscal conservatism and limited government so that we can be assured Missouri’s brightest days are ahead.” Ya, because Blunt was going to get beat and if the Republicans have any chance of winning, it would be without Blunt.

Jack Abramoff

As we move through the primaries, sometimes we forget that we are all on the Royals and that we are playing the Cardinals (substitute Tigers v. Jayhawks or whatever works for you). We are blessed to have 3 wonderful candidates for president. I'll try to give us some lighthearted reminders of our real opposition.

Remember Jack Abramoff - the guy who bribed his way through D.C. with the help of Tom Delay and Roy Blunt? Recall this quote:

"The president does not know him, nor does the president recall ever meeting him." - White House Pres Secretary Scott McClellan on Jack Abramoff.

Jack raised $100,000 for Bush's reelection effort and he is now serving 6 years in prison. Let's not allow our neighbors to forget Jack Abramoff.

Giuliani Can't Be Elected

For good or for bad, Rudy Giuliani can't be elected for President in a swing state like Missouri (or Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas, or South Carolina).

Missourians voted down gay marriage by over 70%. That vote broke my heart. I saved my "No on 2" sign and look at it in my garage sadly. That vote also pushed a new crop of leaders to the top of the heap, i.e. Sen. Jolie Justus. Giuliani may have ticked off his kids by dumping their mom (at least it wasn't for a tobacco lobbyist like Congressman Roy Blunt did to Governor Matt Blunt's mom), but at least Rudy believes that "all men are created equal" applies to gays. Rudy has been an active leader in the NYC GLBT community.

KC Blue Blog has done a great job of tracking down the Giuliani videos that show Rudy dressing in drag, marching in gay pride parades and doing all the things a good liberal should do in NYC. It would have been nice to put a D up against Rudy because the religious right already feels upset with the Missouri Republican Party over stem cell. The Republican Party created the folks who believe that two gays living together is bad, but two gays getting married will destroy our country and is more important than the war on terror. They created this stem cell fight that divides their party.

Well, you invited them to the party, now you are stuck with them.