Gov.-elect Nixon Already Bringing Change to Missouri
Although he doesn’t get sworn into office for several weeks, Gov.-elect Jay Nixon is already bringing the change that Missouri needs. In the past couple weeks, Gov.-elect Nixon announced an end to the political patronage system for license offices, announced a bi-partisan job-creation plan, and has received praise from news organizations for already changing the partisan tone in Jefferson City.
12-12-2008
Gov.-elect Nixon Ending Fee Office Political Patronage, Modernizing License System
MDP Spokesman Jack Cardetti: “Every Missouri taxpayer should be grateful that Gov.-elect Jay Nixon has stepped in and ended one of the last vestiges of political patronage in Missouri, while at the same time modernizing an important service to Missourians.”
12-06-2008
Craig Hosmer Elected Missouri Democratic Party Chairman
The Missouri Democratic Party today selected Craig Hosmer of Springfield as the new party chairman. Hosmer currently serves as the Chairman of the Greene County Democratic Party and is a former State Representative from Springfield where he chaired the House Criminal Law Committee. Hosmer also served as the Treasurer of the Nixon for Governor campaign, which won the traditionally Republican stronghold of Greene County by 15,599 votes in November.
Missourians Overwhelmingly Elect Jay Nixon Governor
Today, the people of Missouri overwhelmingly elected Jay Nixon to be the state¹s 55th Governor and to bring about the change we need. "Today, millions of Missourians went to the polls, and they spoke loudly and clearly. Missourians voted for change, and with me as their Governor, change is what they¹ll get," Nixon said.
11-05-2008
Missourians Vote for Change, Elect Democrats
“Missouri voters spoke with a clear and convincing voice that its time for a change of leadership in Jefferson City,” said John Temporiti, Missouri Democratic Party Chairman.
10-20-2008
Jumping Off The Straight Talk Express
Despite being universally acknowledged as a “must win” state for John McCain, national Republicans don’t seem too eager to help John McCain in the Show-Me State.
10-14-2008
Democrats Ask Prosecutor for Feltner Records
Two new e-mails have emerged that suggest additional campaign work was taking place in the state office of Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. The new e-mails come on the heels of an Associated Press article revealing Kinder’s staff was forwarding campaign materials from his campaign and Blaine Luetkemeyer’s congressional campaign to their state e-mail accounts.
09-30-2008
McCain’s Missouri Campaign in Trouble as Show Me State Residents Tire of Bush-McCain Economy
On October 1, for the second time in less than a month and with polls showing his campaign in free fall, John McCain will campaign in Missouri. McCain’s campaign, which not long ago predicted they would win Missouri by default, clearly has plenty of work to do convincing Missourians he understands their needs despite his earlier declaration that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.”
Statement on Presidential Debate
Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti: “Tonight we saw the past versus the future. After invoking Dwight Eisenhower, Henry Kissinger and Alexander the Great it’s clear that John McCain is offering nothing but the stale policies of the past.”
09-24-2008
John McCain Lies About Buying American Cars
United Auto Workers will stand beside their 13 American made cars to highlight the number of American cars McCain should have bought. McCain lied about buying American saying: “I’ve bought American literally all my life, and I’m proud.” McCain made the comments while defending his purchase of foreign hybrid vehicle — a purchase he denied making despite having bragged about it in South Carolina last year.
John McCain surrounding himself with shady bankers, again…
Not much has changed for John McCain in the 26 years he’s been in Washington. Just like in the 80’s: our banking system is in crisis; John McCain still doesn’t understand economics; and he continues to surround himself with corrupt bank CEO’s and shady banking lobbyists.
President Bush Passes Torch to John McCain at Republican Convention
“Tonight George Bush endorsed John McCain to serve out his third term declaring: ‘The man we need is John McCain.’ George Bush made it crystal clear that a vote for McCain is just a vote for more of the same,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. “Our great country can not afford four more years of George Bush and John McCain’s failed economic and foreign policies. Only by electing Barack Obama President will we turn the page on the Bush administration and bring about the change Missourians so desperately deserve.”
False Advertising: If Steelman is Really Tough on Illegal Immigration, She Should Return Gundaker Contributions
In her television ad, which is currently airing in markets across the state, Treasurer Sarah Steelman claims she had the “guts” to block state tax credits to companies who were caught hiring illegal immigrants. However, Steelman first accepted nearly $20,000 from the very company she cites in the ad and then she actually helped deliver millions of dollars in state tax credits to the company.
06-03-2008
Missouri Superdelegates Endorse Sen. Barack Obama for President
Tonight, Attorney General Jay Nixon, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and Missouri Democratic Party Chairman John Temporiti announced their endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for President. Sen. Obama, the superdelegates said, is the best candidate to bring about the change that Missouri and America needs.
05-05-2008
RE: Defeat of Anti-Affirmative Action Ballot Initiative
“I want to congratulate Missourians for standing up for civil rights and women’s rights,” said John Temporiti, Missouri Democratic Party Chairman. “The failure of Ward Connerly’s group to get their misguided petition on the ballot shows that Missourians will not tolerate the politics of deception and division. While we have a long way to go as a society to reach Dr. King’s dream, the defeat of this initiative demonstrates that Missourians will not arbitrarily deny hope and opportunity to women, students and minorities based on the whims of a deceptive out-of-state interest group.
04-23-2008
Insider Deals from Graves and Blunt Families May Sink Local Ethanol Plant
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that the now infamous Show Me Ethanol LLC does not have the necessary funds to finish production of an ethanol plant in Carollton, MO or begin operations and "may not begin producing during the second quarter, ‘if at all.’"
03-25-2008
Democrats Oppose Blunt, Hancock’s Attempts to Weaken an Already Toothless Ethics Commission
The Missouri Democratic Party today announced its opposition to a proposal from Gov. Blunt and his campaign spokesman, John Hancock, to weaken the Missouri Ethics Commission’s ability to enforce ethics violations by prohibiting the commission’s staff from generating complaints when they find instances of ethics violations.
03-10-2008
McCain Calls Worst Job Loss in 5 Years “Not Terrible”; Previously Admitted He Doesn’t Understand the Economy
Just days after accepting President Bush’s endorsement, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain will travel to St. Louis today in hopes of persuading Missourians to embrace his status quo economic agenda. While Missouri families are being hard hit by the Bush administration’s economy, John McCain locked up the Republican nomination by promising a third Bush term full of the same failed policies.
03-05-2008
Steelman Exposes Her Own Hypocrisy on Illegal Immigration
Today, Treasurer Sarah Steelman appeared before a Senate committee to grandstand on illegal immigration, but she failed to tell Missourians that she took nearly $9,000 in campaign contributions from a company she previously chastised for its involvement in employing illegal immigrants. Then after receiving the contributions last year, Steelman and her staff approved giving the company millions of dollars in state tax credits.
Democrats Fight to Tighten Campaign Contribution Limits, GOP Seeks to Allow Unlimited Money from Special Interests
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Republican legislators to halt efforts to eliminate campaign contribution limits, which would result in a return to a system that allows wealthy corporations and special interests to give millions of dollars to candidates for public office. The Party also called on Republican gubernatorial candidates Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof to denounce this effort to increase the influence of money and special interests in government.
02-18-2008
Sam Graves Continues to Rubberstamp Bush Agenda
During the Missouri Republican Party’s Lincoln Days event a week ago, Sam Graves called on Congress to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Graves’ desire to cut these vital programs to Missouri seniors comes on the heels of President Bush releasing his 2009 Budget that includes $200 Billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid over the next five years.
02-08-2008
Missouri Democratic Party Awards 36 Delegates to Both Obama and Clinton Following Thrilling Missouri Primary
The Missouri Democratic Party today preliminarily awarded 36 delegates each to Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton following their thrilling performances in Tuesday’s Missouri Presidential Primary. By virtue of his 10,479-vote victory statewide, Senator Obama won Missouri’s statewide delegates by a 13-12 margin, while Senator Clinton won Missouri’s congressional district delegates by a 24-23 margin.
02-07-2008
Super Tuesday Shows Preview of November: Missouri Democrats Energized, Republicans Demoralized
In a possible preview of the November election, Missouri voters Tuesday overwhelmingly decided to cast their ballots for Democratic candidates in the Presidential Primary, while Missourians felt uninspired by the Republican nominees. On Super Tuesday, 58.22 percent of Missourians voted for a Democrat in the Missouri Presidential Primary, compared to only 41.64 percent of voters choosing a Republican ballot.
01-26-2008
Steelman Supports Same Failed Policies; Refuses to Oppose Health Care Cuts
On her first day as a candidate for governor, Treasurer Sarah Steelman made it clear that she’s going to support the same failed policies that have moved Missouri backwards these past three years. Specifically, Steelman refused to condemn the Blunt Administration’s 2005 health care cuts that slashed coverage and benefits from more than 400,000 Missourians.
Report: Missouri’s Economy Plummets Under Blunt
Yesterday, yet another independent organization gave Missouri a poor grade for economic performance and noted that the state’s economy has plummeted significantly during Gov. Matt Blunt’s three years in office. The rating comes one week after a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that Missouri’s unemployment rate is now among the highest in the nation (5.5%).
01-18-2008
MDP Announces Opposition to Ballot Initiative that Turns Back the Clock on Women’s Rights and Civil Rights
The Missouri Democratic Party today announced its opposition to a proposed ballot initiative that would deny opportunities to Missouri women, students and minorities. The initiative would eliminate all affirmative action programs that currently exist in Missouri and that have contributed to the progress Missouri has made over the last half-century in the fight for civil rights and the rights of women in the workplace.
Reports Are In: MO HealthNet is a Mess from Day One
Last year, Gov. Matt Blunt went to a Jiffy Lube in Springfield and signed a bill into law that made his 2005 health care cuts permanent and officially dismantled the state’s Medicaid system. Now, the early reports on MO HealthNet and Insure Missouri are in, and they show that Blunt’s new system has been a mess from day one. Even Republican lawmakers are admitting that MO HealthNet has more to do with Matt Blunt’s re-election campaign than fixing Missouri’s broken health care system.
01-07-2008
Attorney General Jay Nixon to Deliver State of the State Response
Jefferson City, MO --- The Missouri Democratic Party announced today that Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon will deliver the Democratic response to Gov. Blunt’s State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
Blunt Can Run to the TV Cameras, but He Can’t Hide Support for Bush Immigration Plan
In his latest attempt to appear tough on illegal immigration, Gov. Blunt appeared on the Lou Dobbs Show last night and denied supporting President Bush’s immigration reform plan, which many conservatives (including Dobbs) denounced as amnesty for illegal immigrants. However, on the morning after Bush formally proposed his plan to the nation in 2006 and stated that illegal immigrants “should be able to apply for citizenship,” Blunt commended the president for “setting forth a solid plan to address the challenges we face in immigration.”
12-17-2007
Gov. Blunt Supports Bush Plan on Illegal Immigrants, Economic Amnesty for Their Employers
Today Gov. Matt Blunt held yet another series of press conferences on illegal immigration, but again forgot to mention two very important facts: He supported President Bush’s “comprehensive” immigration reform plan, and instead of taking action against employers who hire illegal immigrants, Blunt has given them economic amnesty by awarding them state contracts and state tax credits.
12-13-2007
Another Election Year Promise to Hide Years of Failed Leadership
Today Gov. Matt Blunt made his latest election year promise in the hopes of distracting Missourians from years of failed leadership. The latest promise relates to the state’s support for higher education - which has ranked “dead last” in the nation under Gov. Blunt.
11-26-2007
Blunt, New Chief of Staff Should Release Backup Tapes, Cooperate with Independent Investigation
Nearly a week after his Chief of Staff quit in the midst of his document destruction scandal, Gov. Matt Blunt has yet to release backup tapes containing missing emails and memos, nor has he announced whether his administration intends to cooperate with an independent investigation into violations of the state’s Sunshine and record retention laws.
11-20-2007
Statement on Resignation of Blunt Chief of Staff Ed Martin
“Ed Martin should have lost his job before this scandal ever emerged. This scandal goes way beyond the careless actions of one staff member. It’s about a Governor who broke the law, lied about it, and then tried to cover it up. Gov. Blunt must come clean about the documents his administration is trying so hard to hide and release all of the back-up tapes.”
11-05-2007
Blunt Continues to Break Law, Cover It up and Lie about It
After a full week of Gov. Matt Blunt’s lawbreaking, cover-ups and lies, the Missouri Democratic Party today released a web video calling on Blunt to release the documents that his former attorney Scott Eckersley provided him relating to his violation of the state’s Sunshine laws and retention policies.
11-01-2007
BOMBSHELL: BLUNT CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Former Blunt attorney Scott Eckersley has said that he alerted Gov. Matt Blunt and his staff that they were breaking the state’s Sunshine and retention laws. For the second time this week, Gov. Blunt said today that no documents exist proving that Eckersley alerted him or his staff of their law breaking – and that it never happened. After Blunt made that blanket assertion again today, a reporter told the Governor that she has seen – with her own eyes – emails proving that Eckersley did in fact alert the Governor that he was breaking the law.
10-31-2007
Time for the Truth: Blunt Should Allow Eckersley to Release Documents
According to the Associated Press, Gov. Matt Blunt asserted that his former deputy counsel Scott Eckerlsey never advised him on Sunshine laws or retention policies. Blunt’s deputy administration commissioner, Rich AuBuchon, confirmed the Governor’s assertion, saying that “Mr. Eckersley never once voiced a concern, never once wrote an e-mail, never once talked to other employees in the office evidencing any concern that the governor’s office was not complying with the Sunshine Law or any record retention policies.”
Latest Blunt Scandal: Governor Breaks Law, Fires His Own Lawyer for Speaking Up
In the most disturbing Matt Blunt scandal since the Fred Ferrell sexual harassment cover-up, newspapers are reporting that Blunt fired his own attorney, Scott Eckersley, last month after Eckersley told Blunt that he was illegally destroying government documents. Instead of listening to Eckersley’s correct legal advice, Blunt continued to break the law – then fired Eckersley and made false character attacks in an attempt to silence him.
10-17-2007
Blunt Misuses Governor’s Mansion for Political Fundraisers, Campaign Events
Following news that Matt Blunt’s campaign’s reported holding fundraisers at the Governor’s Mansion and admitted to using the Mansion to host campaign events, the Missouri Democratic Party called on Blunt’s campaign to make public complete lists of all attendees from these inappropriate Lincoln Bedroom-style events so that Missourians can assess their campaign contributions to Blunt.
10-10-2007
** ALERT: BLUNT HITS PANIC BUTTON, CANCELS MEETING **
In the 30 minutes since the release below went out, Gov. Blunt has hit the panic button and reportedly canceled his scheduled lunch with Rep. Jack Jackson. “More clear proof that Matt Blunt is running scared,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. “If he can’t look Rep. Jackson in the eye and defend his agenda, how is he going to face thousands of Missouri voters whose health care he slashed?”
10-05-2007
Blunt Refuses to Reimburse State for Political Travel on Taxpayers’ Dime
Gov. Blunt’s campaign spokesman today confirmed that Gov. Blunt will not reimburse the state for using state vehicles to travel to political events, despite the fact that Attorney General Jay Nixon and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder are voluntarily doing so.
10-02-2007
Matt Blunt: Breaking Laws, Campaigning On The Taxpayers’ Dime
By launching merit-less attacks against Attorney General Nixon and his security detail, Gov. Blunt is clearly trying to distract reporters from his own documented pattern of campaigning on the tax-payer’s dime and recent reports that he violated the state’s retention law.
Blunt Refuses to Take Stand on S-CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2007
As a result of Governor Blunt’s massive health care cuts in 2005, more than 127, 000 Missouri children do not have health coverage. Yet, Governor Blunt refuses to take a position on a bill (HR 976), passed by Congress and sent to the President, to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) -- a critical program that insures millions of low income children across the country.
09-26-2007
Does Matt Blunt Support the Bi-partisan SCHIP Bill Passed by U.S. House?
After slashing more than 28,500 Missouri children off SCHIP, bringing the total number of uninsured Missouri children to more than 127,000, one has to wonder whether Matt Blunt supports the SCHIP reauthorization bill passed last night by the U.S. House of Representatives. Following Gov. Blunt’s massive health care cuts of 2005, more than 73,000 children in Missouri have lost their state-sponsored health insurance. The Governor’s latest health care initiative will do nothing to cover these uninsured children.
09-26-2007
Sam Graves Turns His Back on Missouri’s Children
Congressman Sam Graves last night voted against a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is set to expire on September 30. The legislation, which would provide health care coverage to 10 million children nationwide, has widespread support from Republicans, including Missouri Sen. Kit Bond and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, but is opposed by President Bush.
09-25-2007
Missouri’s Unemployment Rate Soars under Blunt
A monthly report released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Missouri’s unemployment rate soared last month from 4.9% to 5.3%, the largest monthly increase of any state in the nation. Missouri was one of only 18 states where the unemployment rate increased last month and Missouri now has the 11th highest unemployment rate in the country.
Blunt’s Health Care Plan: Wrong for Missouri
Nearly three years after slashing the health care from hundreds of thousands of Missourians, Gov. Matt Blunt held a press conference on Tuesday to declare himself a champion of accessible health care. While Missourians won’t be fooled into believing that Blunt suddenly cares about access to care, they should know that his latest proposal is riddled with holes, inconsistencies and problems. It is simply wrong for Missouri.
09-12-2007
Top 10 “Hardships” You May See Matt Blunt take to the Missouri Ethics Commission to Justify Keeping Special Interest Millions
Yesterday the Missouri Ethics Commission ruled that candidates must return over-limit contributions unless that candidate can show a “hardship” that prevents them from returning the money. So as we all wait with anticipation as Matt Blunt and his team of lawyers struggle to come with “hardships” to justify keeping the millions Blunt has taken from the lobbyists and wealthy special interests, the Missouri Democratic Party presents Matt Blunt’s Top 10 "Hardships".
09-11-2007
Statement Regarding the Missouri Ethics Commission’s Campaign Finance Decision
“By establishing a procedure for candidates to refund their excessive contributions, the Missouri Ethics Commission took power away from lobbyists and wealthy corporations and gave it right back to regular Missourians, where it belongs,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman.
Blunt on Illegal Immigration: Do as I Say, Not as I Do
After three years of silence and inaction on the issue, Gov. Matt Blunt last week proclaimed himself to be tough on illegal immigration. However, the Governor failed to tell Missourians is that he took $40,000 in campaign contributions from a company he knew had been caught hiring illegal immigrants. After receiving the contributions, the Blunt-Appointed Missouri Housing And Development Commission then approved the company, Gundaker Commercial Group, to receive state tax-exempt bonds.
08-28-2007
Statement on Blunt’s Continued Attempts to Justify Keeping Millions from Special Interests
“Now that Jay Nixon is no longer advising the Ethics Commission, we’re waiting to see what ‘hardship’ Matt Blunt’s comes up with next to protect the millions he’s taken from the special interests,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. “It’s clear Blunt will say anything and everything in order to convince the Ethics Commission he should keep his special interest millions.”
08-28-2007
National Republicans Tell Blunt He’s Too Weak to Lead
After spending $2.6 million on Gov. Matt Blunt’s 2004 campaign and electing him as vice chair, the Republican Governors Association (RGA) has decided Gov. Blunt’s weak leadership in Missouri has left Blunt too vulnerable to become Chair of their association.
08-27-2007
Statement on Campaign Finance Ruling
“Today’s ruling is a victory for those Missourians who believe elections should be fought on a level playing field,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. “The Supreme Court and the Ethics Commission agree that this ruling should be applied retroactively.”
08-22-2007
Statement Regarding Anti-Stem Cell Initiative
“The people of Missouri spoke on this issue last year and voted for hope and opportunity,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. “The Missouri Democratic Party will oppose any effort to overturn the will of the people and criminalize potentially life-saving research that could cure everything from juvenile diabetes to Alzheimer’s.”
08-16-2007
Despite Lagging Economy, Blunt Uses Special Session to Enrich Lobbyist Brother, One Wealthy Developer
Gov. Matt Blunt today called the Missouri Legislature into a special session to work on $70 million worth of special interest giveaways, including a law allowing ticket scalping that will directly benefit his lobbyist brother, Andy Blunt, whose client Ticketmaster wants to resell tickets on the Internet.
08-09-2007
Statement on Republican Rep. Nathan Cooper’s Felony Guilty Plea
Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti: "Today’s guilty plea pulls back the curtain on the culture of corruption created by Matt Blunt and his legislative allies. It’s no wonder that Missourians are ready for change."
08-01-2007
Statement on Sen. Koster’s Decision to Leave the Republican Party
MDP spokesman Jack Cardetti: “This announcements shows just how extreme and out of touch Matt Blunt and other Republican leaders have become. You know there are problems in Missouri when a former Republican Attorney General candidate can’t stomach the direction Matt Blunt is taking this state.”
07-31-2007
Blunt Will Say Anything to Keep Millions in Special Interest Money
Based on the legal brief filed today by the Missouri Republican Party with the Missouri Supreme Court on behalf of Gov. Matt Blunt, it’s clear that Blunt will say anything to justify keeping the millions he’s already taken from wealthy corporations, special interest lobbyists and big developers. The brief directly contradicts the position of Blunt’s own Ethics Commission.
07-26-2007
Does Gov. Blunt Stand with or Against His Own Ethics Commission?
The Missouri Ethics Commission and the Office of the Attorney General filed a legal brief with the Missouri Supreme Court arguing that the Court’s ruling on campaign finance reform should be retroactive as a matter of fundamental fairness. Hours later, Matt Blunt’s allies circulated an array of wild conspiracy theories. But one very simple question remains: Where does Matt Blunt stand on the issue of retroactivity?
2007 Legislative Session: Matt Blunt’s Wrong Priorities Leave Thousands of Missouri Families Behind
Following another legislative session of Gov. Matt Blunt putting the needs of the special interests ahead of Missouri families, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti released the following statement: "Instead of parading around the state holding press conferences, perhaps Matt Blunt should use the next few weeks to explain to the people of Missouri why 121,000 children still don’t have health insurance and a college education is further out of reach for more families. The people of Missouri deserve a leader who will find creative solutions to the state’s problems, not creative ways to appease the special interests."
05-18-2007
Blunt, GOP Legislators Poised to Make Disastrous Health Care Cuts Permanent
On the last day of the legislative session, Missouri Republicans are poised to hastily pass legislation that would make Gov. Matt Blunt’s 2005 health care cuts permanent. "Matt Blunt’s wrong priorities are taking our state further in the wrong direction and making it harder for Missouri families to make ends meet," said MDP spokesman Jack Cardetti.
05-14-2007
Kay Barnes Announces for Congress with Family in St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Missouri, native Kay Cronkite Barnes today announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives from the 6th Congressional District. “It is great to be able to be with family and friends who formed the base of my support group when I was growing up in St. Joseph" she said. "The values I learned from my mother and late father and all my teachers, classmates and family friends are the same ones that helped me be successful in Kansas City.”
04-17-2007
Blunt Gives Major Appointment to Donor Two Weeks after $50,000 Contribution
Thursday morning in front of the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, Neosho banker Ruby Farber will have to answer whether Gov. Blunt appointed him to Missouri government’s most powerful commission because of a $50,000 contribution he gave Blunt two weeks before his nomination was announced.
04-16-2007
Nixon Campaign Reports Nearly $2.6 Million Raised in Campaign for Governor
Attorney General Jay Nixon’s campaign today reported receiving nearly $2.6 million from over 4,000 donors since he launched his campaign for governor. With over $1.9 million cash on hand, the Nixon for Governor campaign has set a new record by raising more than any non-incumbent campaign for governor 20 months prior to Election Day. During the last reporting period Nixon’s campaign received over 2,000 contributions totaling more than $1.3 million.
Fired U.S. Attorney Fears that Public Corruption Investigation of Gov. Blunt Cost him his Job
Fired U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins told the LA Times in a story today that he fears he was fired because we was investigating criminal charges against Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt concerning his awarding of lucrative motor vehicle fee offices. “It now becomes clear that the Bush administration was willing to fire a U.S. Attorney just because he was doing his job and investigating corruptions charges against fellow Republican Matt Blunt,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman.
03-13-2007
Statement on MOHELA
Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti: ""Tonight the Missouri Senate, led by Senate Democrats, wisely fought against attempts to make college less affordable and less accessible for Missouri students and their families. Senate Democrats took a principled stand that it was unacceptable to mortgage our children’s future in return for short-term construction projects that wouldn’t have improved our state’s economy or research capacity."
03-04-2007
Statements on the Passing of Sen. Tom Eagleton
"For half a century Tom Eagleton has been the face of public service for Missouri Democrats. His selfless dedication to his state and his country has made Tom Eagleton a personal hero to a generation of Missourians, including myself. The Missouri Democratic Party will work every day to stay true to the examples and ideals that Senator Eagleton has set for us." — John Temporiti, Missouri Democratic Party Chairman
03-01-2007
Court Records Expose Blunt’s Plan to Hide Details of Sexual Harassment Settlement from Public
Yesterday during a Capitol news conference, Gov. Matt Blunt vigorously denied that his administration had sought for months to keep details of a possible settlement with a sexual harassment victim secret. However, court records show that lawyers for the Blunt administration insisted that the victim sign a "confidentiality clause" in their proposed settlement to cover up the scandal.
02-26-2007
Statement on Gov. Blunt’s Decision Not to Fire Fred Ferrell Last May
"It’s offensive that only after Gov. Blunt’s attempts to cover up sexual harassment in his administration failed, did our governor finally fire Fred Ferrell," said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party Spokesman.
02-14-2007
Missouri Democratic Party Elects John Temporiti as Chair, Yolanda Wheat as Vice Chair
The Missouri Democratic Party State Committee elected John Temporiti of St. Louis as party chairman and Yolanda Wheat of Kansas City as vice chair. "I look forward to working with Democrats from across Missouri to build on the great momentum our party gained from our victories last November," Temporiti said.
02-14-2007
Blunt Asleep at the Switch as 1,300 Missourians lose Jobs; Now Won’t Fight to Reverse the Cuts
Only hours after Chrysler announced they would cut 1,300 jobs at the South Fenton plant, it is becoming clear that Gov. Matt Blunt will not fight to reverse these devastating cuts to our economy. “Gov. Blunt has made it perfectly clear that, unlike other states, he has absolutely no desire to fight for these 1,300 high-paying Missouri jobs,” said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman.
02-12-2007
Rep. Rachel Storch to Chair House Democratic Campaign Committee
House Minority Leader Jeff Harris has appointed Rep. Rachel Storch (D- St. Louis) Chair of The Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee for the 2008 election cycle. Storch replaces Rep. Clint Zweifel, who led the HDCC during the 2006 cycle when they picked up a net gain of five seats in the Missouri House of Representatives.
02-07-2007
Republicans Sell Out College Students and Won’t Even Build Research Facilities in Return
A Missouri Senate committee this afternoon voted to move forward with the sale of the state’s student loan program, MOHELA, despite the fact that the plan no longer includes the construction of multiple research facilities on college campuses, which Gov. Blunt once described as a way to "help make Missouri a leader in technology and science research."
01-31-2007
Joe Carmichael Tapped to Head Search Committee for New Democratic Party Chairman
The Missouri Democratic Party today announced that Joe Carmichael has been tapped to head up the seven-member committee that will pick the new chair of the Missouri Democratic Party to replace outgoing Chairman Roger Wilson. Carmichael, of Springfield, served as chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party from 1994-2003 and has previously served as the national chairman of the Association of State Democratic Chairs.
President Bush Will Attempt to Sell Middle Class Tax Increase to Missourians During Visit Today
When President Bush visits Missouri today, he’ll try to convince middle class Missourians that they should start paying taxes on the health care coverage they receive from their employer. More than half of all Americans receive health care coverage through this employer-sponsored system.
Is Jim Talent a proud Bush Republican?
On the eve of President Bush’s visit to campaign for Jim Talent, the Missouri Democratic Party today asked Jim Talent to answer the question: "Are you a proud Bush Republican?"
11-02-2006
MDP files ethics complaint against Ed Robb’s campaign committee
The Missouri Democratic Party today filed an ethics complaint against Friends of Ed Robb regarding a campaign mailer-like legislative newsletter that was produced with campaign funds but was mailed to constituents a month before a hotly contested election using taxpayer dollars. Ed Robb is the Republican candidate for the 24th Legislative District.
10-31-2006
Missing Weapons in Iraq: Another Oversight Failure from Jim Talent
In 2004, Jim Talent suggested there was too much red tape in the spending of U.S. taxpayer dollars in Iraq. But this week, we learned that the U.S. has lost hundreds of thousands of weapons intended for Iraq security forces and paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Of course, this is just the latest in a long line of oversight failures from Jim Talent and the Bush Administration.
10-30-2006
St. Charles County Elections Director asked to Recuse Himself over Election Day Conflict Involving Son
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on the father of Jim Talent’s spokesman to recuse himself for the General Election as St. Charles County Director of Elections, citing a potential conflict of interest. Rich Chrismer, earned more than $90,000 last year working for Talent’s Senatorial staff and is now his campaign spokesman.
10-27-2006
Talent Should Return Contributions from War Profiteers like Halliburton
In light of Dick Cheney’s visit to Missouri today, the Missouri Democratic Party has called on Jim Talent to return more than $50,000 he received in contributions from Halliburton and other war profiteers. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Talent sat idly by as war profiteers, like Dick Cheney’s former company Halliburton, wasted millions that could have gone to arm and protect our troops with body armor and other lifesaving equipment.
10-24-2006
Paper Demands that Talent “Pull Ads” that “Deceive Voters”
The Kansas City Star has demanded that Jim Talent pull ads he is currently running after agreeing with a nonprofit watchdog group that found that the ads are "misleading" and "deceive voters."
10-23-2006
Talent Blindly Insists on Staying the Course in Iraq
The war in Iraq is going so badly that the Pentagon’s top generals, intelligence officials and a number of Republican Senators are all raising concerns, and many that once supported the war are now suggesting that it is time to change the course in Iraq. But Jim Talent continues to "stay the course." Talent even continues to claim that progress is being made in Iraq as the country is rapidly declining into a civil war.
10-20-2006
Social Security Privatization Group Engages in Massive Campaign Mailing for Pro-Privatization Advocate Jim Talent
The Missouri Democratic Party today warned Missourians about a mailing being disseminated by a deceptive pro-privatization group, The Seniors Coalition, asking Missourians to re-elect Jim Talent. "Jim Talent and the Seniors Coalition are afraid to be honest about their intentions to risk the Social Security benefits of Missouri seniors with privatization plans that put money in the pockets of their friends on Wall Street," said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Missouri Democratic Party.
Talent Campaign Funded by War Profiteers
Missourians may have a better insight into why Jim Talent oddly proclaimed recently in a debate on "Meet the Press" that the $300 billion spent in Iraq was "not a lot of money." It turns out that Jim Talent has used his seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee to collect more than $50,000 in contributions from war profiteers such as Halliburton and Parsons Corp.
10-16-2006
Gov. Roger Wilson Applauds Supreme Court’s Voter ID Ruling
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled today to uphold a lower court’s decision that Senate Bill 1014 is unconstitutional. SB 1014 would have required Missouri voters to show an unexpired, state or U.S. government-issued photo ID on Election Day. The lower court had ruled that the bill was unconstitutional because it unfairly burdened Missouri’s seniors and women who may have more difficulty obtaining photo IDs because of lost birth certificates or surname changes.
Talent’s Opposition to Stem Cell Research Denies Hope to 12,000 Missouri Parkinson’s Patients
Jim Talent’s opposition to stem cell research is denying hope and opportunity to individuals like Michael J. Fox, who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. More than 12,000 Missourians currently suffer from Parkinson’s, and one in 200 is expected to be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their life
10-04-2006
Will Jim Talent Show Leadership during Foley Scandal?
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Jim Talent to break his silence involving the Mark Foley scandal that broke last week so that serious questions don’t remain unanswered.
10-02-2006
Democrats Call on Gov. Blunt to Donate Money from Alleged-Pedophile Mark Foley
The Missouri Democratic Party is calling on Gov. Matt Blunt to donate campaign contributions he received from alleged-pedophile Congressman Mark Foley to a worthwhile charity. Congressman Foley resigned on Friday after e-mails surfaced showing he sent sexually suggestive messages to under-aged Congressional pages.
Missouri Seniors Now in Donut Hole Because Jim Talent put Drug Company Profits ahead of Seniors and Taxpayers
Today the average Missouri senior will begin hitting the so-called "donut hole" in the Medicare Part D prescription drug law costing them thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. This problem could have been avoided if Jim Talent would have voted to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices with drug companies through bulk purchasing, which would have lowered costs to seniors and saved taxpayers billions.
09-08-2006
Bad News for Missouri Families: With Third Presidential Fundraiser, Talent Solidifies Indebtedness to Bush
Today in Kansas City, President George Bush will hold a record third fundraiser for Jim Talent this cycle, which means that no other Senate candidate will be so indebted to George Bush. Talent has rewarded Bush’s generosity over the past year by supporting billions in tax breaks to oil companies, opposing stem cell research, opposing increases in the minimum wage, and casting the tie breaking vote to cut $14 billion in Medicaid.
09-08-2006
Auditor Candidate Sandra Thomas Called on to Fire Staffers Caught Using State Resources for Campaign
The Missouri Democratic Party is calling on Sandra Thomas to fire any staffers involved in using state resources to support her campaign and to preserve any evidence related to such occurrences. The request comes in response to the recent discovery that a campaign news release (attached) sent on her behalf was disseminated from a computer in a state senator’s Capitol office.
09-05-2006
Talent Caught on Tape Saying Amnesty Works
In a stunning act of hypocrisy, Sen. Jim Talent has been caught on tape appearing to tell a voter, “That’s the lesson we learned several years ago. Not that amnesty doesn’t work, but that you don’t call it amnesty.”
Talent Refuses to Answer AARP Questionnaire; Instead, Touts Fake Senior Group Endorsement Backed by Abramoff and Drug Companies
Jim Talent refuses to answer a questionnaire from the country’s largest senior organization. The AARP questionnaire asks where Jim Talent stands on important issues such as privatizing social security and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Talent does, however, brag on his Web site about an endorsement by a fake group funded by the pharmaceutical industry called the United Seniors Association.
Jim Talent Failed to Fight For 1,850 Missouri Boeing Jobs
Sen. Jim Talent’s failure to fight for Missouri jobs in the U.S. Senate hit home today as it was announced that 1,850 Missouri Boeing jobs are in jeopardy after Congress eliminated the C-17 program. Talent, who sits on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee that has direct authority over the C-17 project, has failed to attend 65 of the committee’s 95 hearings — almost 70 percent — since he came to the Senate in 2003.
08-18-2006
External Audit Blames Errors by State Auditor Candidate Sandra Thomas for Platte County’s missing $195,000
An external audit conducted for Platte County yesterday faulted County Auditor Sandra Thomas for $195,000 in funds that were missing for almost a year. The external audit, conducted by a political contributor to the Sandra Thomas for State Auditor campaign, found four major mistakes by Thomas’ office that contributed to the missing $195,000.
Missouri Democratic Party Announces Campaign to Assist Voters in Obtaining Required Photo ID
The Missouri Democratic Party today unveiled its plan to assist voters in obtaining the photo ID now required to vote under Missouri law. “While we certainly support legal action to overturn this undemocratic law, the Missouri Democratic Party will attempt to help all Missouri citizens obtain the necessary identification,” said Gov. Roger Wilson, Missouri Democratic Party chairman.
Democrats Demand that Talent Finally Crack Down on Big Oil
After gas prices soared 20 cents overnight, the Missouri Democratic Party this morning called on Sen. Jim Talent to support legislation that would give the Federal Trade Commission new authority to crack down on oil and gas companies that engage in predatory pricing.
07-31-2006
Ethics Complaint Filed after Blunt Illegally Takes $38,000 from Republican National Committee
The Missouri Democratic Party today filed an ethics complaint against Gov. Matt Blunt after his campaign accepted a $38,982.45 from the Republican National Committee in violation of Missouri’s campaign finance laws. The contribution, which was made in April 2006, is above the legal contribution limit and constitutes an illegal transfer of funds between political committees.
Talent’s Failures to Stand Up for Law Enforcement Officers, Secure Borders Contribute to Meth Crisis
Sen. Jim Talent’s opposition to vital anti-meth law enforcement programs and failure to crack down on the flow of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico shows just how out of touch Missouri’s junior senator is on this important issue. Because of repeated opposition from Talent and the Bush Administration to increased funding for border and port security, as much as 80 percent of the meth now consumed in the United States is produced in and imported from Mexico, and Mexican meth imports are growing steadily every year.
Talent Claims to Protect Military Families, Doesn’t Really Crack Down on Predatory Lenders
Sen. Jim Talent’s idea of protecting members of the military and their families from predatory lenders is allowing these companies to charge them interest at an exorbitant annual percentage rate. The 36-percent APR cap Talent is touting is exorbitantly high by any standard -- more than twice the rate most people pay.
C-17, Missouri Jobs: Victims of Talent’s Failure on Armed Services Committee
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Sen. Jim Talent to explain to the 2,000 Missouri Boeing Co. workers whose jobs are in danger why — instead of fighting for their jobs — he has been AWOL from the Senate Armed Services Committee, which has direct authority over the C-17 project on which they work.
07-13-2006
Talent Campaign Admits Ethanol Flip-Flop
Jim Talent’s campaign admitted today that Missouri’s junior senator has flip-flopped on the issue of ethanol. While serving in the Missouri House of Representatives, Talent was an outspoken critic of ethanol.
07-11-2006
Democrats Call on Blunt to Order Fee Offices to Come Clean on Financial Relationships with Shadowy Management Companies
Just one day after Republican legislators proposed a plan to outlaw third-party management of fee offices, the Missouri Democratic Party today called on Gov. Matt Blunt to order all of his fee office operators to disclose their financial arrangements with management companies, so the public can know where their money ultimately is going. Democrats also want Blunt to order the management companies, which the governor’s friends run, to disclose all of their owners.
Talent Campaign Calls Stealing U.S. Flag a Prank Not Deserving of Serious Punishment
In a bizarre twist for a United State’s Senator who spends a lot of time talking about protecting the flag, Jim Talent today is standing by a vote he made in 1985 as a state legislator against increasing penalties for those who steal U.S. flags from public buildings.
06-26-2006
Poll: Democrats Providing Leadership on Important Issues, While Republicans are Out of Touch with Missourians
A poll released yesterday by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TV shows Democratic candidates consistently beating Republicans because Democrats are in touch with Missouri voters when it comes to issues like increasing the minimum wage, supporting stem cell research, restoring Medicaid coverage, and opposing efforts to prevent seniors and the disabled from voting by requiring a voter ID.
06-26-2006
Talent Voted Against Increasing Penalties for Stealing the U.S. Flag
While Jim Talent makes a big show in an election year about protecting the integrity of the American flag, his legislative record in the Missouri State House reveals a hypocrite who did not see fit to protect the flag.
Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Calls on Blunt to Repudiate Spokesman’s Terrorist Allegations
“There is absolutely no place in government for this type of character assassination. Timothy McVeigh executed 168 people in the deadliest attack on our nation by a domestic terrorist. Spence Jackson’s comments are an embarrassment to the State of Missouri, and Governor Blunt should take immediate action to correct the harm his administration has done to Roy [Temple] and to the Office of the Governor."
06-06-2006
Missouri Democratic Party Endorses Stem Cell Initiative
Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Roger Wilson announced that the Democratic State Committee unanimously endorsed the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative at its meeting Saturday in Columbia.
Talent’s Attempt to Reinvent Himself During Kick-Off Tour Doesn’t Square with His Washington Record
Over the next two days, Sen. Jim Talent will fly to eight of Missouri’s biggest cities in an attempt to distract voters from the mess he has helped create in Washington in hopes of reviving his floundering reelection bid. Touting false claims about his effectiveness as Senator, Missouri Democrats fully expect Jim Talent to try to distance himself from his own record of working on the side of special interests over the past 14 years as both a lawmaker and lobbyist in Washington.
Looking for Political Cover with Seniors, Flip-Flopping Talent Belatedly Changes Position on Prescription Drug Deadline
Much like he did on the issue of stem cell research, Sen. Jim Talent has again flip-flopped on an issue important to Missouri families due to mounting pressure. This time Talent has announced that he now supports dropping the penalty that seniors will pay for missing the May 15 deadline to sign up for the new Medicare prescription drug program, despite that fact that 24 hours early he remained opposed to extending the deadline.
05-15-2006
Missouri Seniors at Risk Because Jim Talent Repeatedly Failed to Extend Midnight Medicare Deadline
More than 257,000 Missouri seniors could face severe lifetime penalties as tonight’s Medicare drug benefit enrollment deadline passes. Democrats today condemned Jim Talent for failing to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry by rejecting numerous attempts to extend the deadline so that seniors would have more time to sign up for the complicated new program.
After Giving Billions in Tax Breaks to Big Oil, Talent Attempts to Buy Missourians Forgiveness with $100 Rebate
In an effort to dodge voter’s disgust with higher gas prices, Washington Republicans and Sen. Jim Talent today presented a plan to essentially buy votes this fall under the guise of offering consumer fuel-cost rebates as a “solution” to the high gas prices. While big oil companies continue to report record profits, thanks in part to billions in tax breaks engineered by Jim Talent and others on the Senate Energy Committee, consumers will no doubt see this GOP band-aid gas fix as a play for their votes.
04-27-2006
Missourians Again Call on Talent to Take a Position on the Stem Cell Initiative as Signature Deadline Approaches
Months have passed since the ballot initiative protecting stem-cell research in Missouri was announced, yet Jim Talent still has not summoned the courage to tell the people of Missouri where he stands. Even as thousands of patients in Missouri are suffering from debilitating diseases that could be treated with stem-cell research, Jim Talent has refused to take a definitive position on the initiative, resorting instead to the type of doublespeak that could only fly in Washington D.C.
04-18-2006
Voter Id Proposal Would Put an Extra Million Dollars into Blunt’s Scandal Plagued Fee Office Scheme
In an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, the Republican legislature is attempting to move forward on a voter ID bill that could potentially take away the right to vote for nearly 200,000 seniors and disabled Missourians, while at the same time putting an extra million dollars of profit into Gov. Blunt’s scandal plagued fee office scheme.
04-14-2006
Talent’s Weak-Kneed Stances Spread to Staff
Jim Talent’s weak-kneed waffling on the issues now extends to his campaign staff. Lloyd Smith has signed on as Talent’s campaign manager and is now praising the Medicare prescription drug act that his other current boss, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, voted against.
Missourians Again Call on Talent to Return Tainted DeLay Money
Missouri Democrats today called on Sen. Jim Talent to return $5,000 given to him by the PAC of former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who last night announced he would resign from Congress after a second former staffer of his, Tony Rudy, pled guilty on Friday in the DeLay-Abramoff congressional scandal.
Talent Refuses to Take Stand on Dubai Ports Deal
After taking nearly a year to say anything on stem cell research and then requiring nearly 30 minutes to actually explain his flip-floppy, "nuanced" position, Jim Talent has proven that he has difficulty speaking with conviction and clarity on important issues of the day.
Lincoln Days Keynote Speaker Bill Frist Highlights Missouri GOP’s Stem Cell Divide
On June 16, 1858, President Abraham Lincoln spoke the famous words that have come to take on new meaning for the Missouri Republican Party: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Today, the Missouri GOP faces a divide that threatens to rip the party apart at its seams: stem cell research.
01-31-2006
GOP Candidate Scharnhorst Has Ethics Problems Stemming from $20,000 in Unreported Funds
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Republican special election state representative candidate Dwight Scharnhorst of St. Louis County to come clean with voters about an ethics case that is currently pending in the Attorney General’s Office involving him.
Missouri Democrats Praise Claire McCaskill’s Ethics and Lobbying Reform Plan
The Missouri Democratic Party today applauded U.S. Senate Candidate Claire McCaskill’s recently unveiled ethics and lobbying reform plan. The plan, which can be found online at www.claireonline.com, is considered one of the most aggressive in the country in reducing the influence wielded by high-paid lobbyists, like Jack Abramoff, over Members of Congress and their staffs.
The Jim Talent 2005 Scorecard
As we enter the New Year, the Missouri Democratic Party thought it both important and useful to provide to the media a scorecard that details what Senator Jim Talent did in 2005 on issues important to Missouri’s families.
UPDATE: Jim Talent Caught on Tape Trying to Con Missouri Voters
In trying as fast as he can to distance himself from the escalating political scandal surrounding convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former lobbyist Sen. Jim Talent today tripped over his own record of dealings with Abramoff and clients of Abramoff’s that are at the heart of the corruption scandal.
A Tale of Two Talents
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times to be a United States Senator running for re-election and too weak to stand up to his political base or to those funding his campaign. This is the odd predicament Jim Talent finds himself in on the eve of his re-election as he tiptoes around the subject of stem cell research while traveling throughout Missouri.
11-29-2005
Democrats Call on Blunt to Include Vacant Senate Seat in Upcoming Special Elections
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Gov. Matt Blunt to add the vacant 2nd Senatorial District to the two special elections he has already called for February 7. The senate seat became open when Sen. Jon Dolan (R-Lake St. Louis) resigned to take a job as the nursing home industry’s chief lobbyist.
Missouri Democratic Party Sets Up Online Petition So Missourians Can Tell Jim Talent to Stop Being “Senator Rubber Stamp”
The Missouri Democratic Party today launched an online petition that allows Missourians to e-mail Sen. Jim Talent to ask him to stop being a rubber stamp for the Bush-Cheney Administration and its misguided agenda. The petition was launched in response to Talent’s unwillingness to stand up to the White House and stand up for Missouri’s families, as exemplified by his near 100 percent record of support for the Bush-Cheney agenda.
11-11-2005
Talent’s Votes in Senate Don’t Honor Missouri Veterans
Time and time again, Jim Talent has had a chance to protect veterans’ interests, and especially to expand access to essential health care to those who fought so hard to keep America safe. But as the Iraq War continues to create more veterans, and while 15,000 wounded troops return from fighting, Talent continues to cut veterans funding.
Jim Talent votes for $600 million in Medicaid Cuts, Higher Rx Drug Prices for Medicaid Recipients
When Gov. Blunt kicked 80,000 Missourians off Medicaid, Jim Talent sat idly by and watched it happen. So it should come as no surprise that when the leaders of his party in Washington wanted to slash over $600,000,000 in federal funds from the Medicaid program, Jim Talent was unwilling to stand up to them and speak out on behalf working families.
10-26-2005
Jim Talent’s Stem Cell Dilemma: Will He Stand Up for His Own Values, or Sell Out for Campaign Contributions?
When a reporter recently tried to speak with Sen. Jim Talent about his position on stem cell research, Talent refused to speak with him, issuing instead a written statement that neither affirmed nor denied his support for the type of research into lifesaving cures that many institutions in Missouri are hoping to undertake.
Talent Keeps Money from Indicted Lawmaker, But Returns Contributions from Indicted Lobbyist
The most recent campaign fund-raising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission by Senator Jim Talent show that his campaign returned a $2,000 contribution from his 2002 campaign to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is now under indictment for alleged bank fraud. Talent also returned a $1,000 PAC contribution from Abramoff’s former firm.
Democrats Call on Talent to Return DeLay Money
Missouri Democrats today called on Sen. Jim Talent to return $5,000 given to him by the PAC of former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who has been indicted by two separate grand juries in the last week for money laundering and conspiracy.
09-08-2005
Senator Alter’s Debt Committee Missing More than $57,000
The Missouri Democratic Party today filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Bill Alter (R-Jefferson County) after recent campaign finance reports show that $57,860 is missing from the Alter for Senate Debt Committee.
08-23-2005
Statement Regarding the Death of Susie Skelton
It is with a heavy heart that the Democratic family today mourns the passing of Susie Skelton, the wife of Missouri’s senior Congressmen Ike Skelton.
08-04-2005
Bobby Simpson Files for 150th District Race
Four-term Dent County Commissioner Bobby Simpson traveled to Jefferson City to file as a candidate for the November 8, 2005 special election to elect a new state representative from the 150th district.
Blunt Should Return Contributions from Appointee with Criminal Record
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Gov. Matt Blunt to return more than $6,000 in campaign contributions received by his gubernatorial campaign from Randa Hayes, a Blunt appointee with a criminal record of theft.
Education Proponents Decry Education IOU
Democratic lawmakers today voiced their concern over Gov. Matt Blunt`s education plan, because the plan, signed by Blunt, is based on unspecified funding that fails to address the immediate challenge of keeping the schools out of court.
06-21-2005
Blunt’s Office Can’t Produce a Single Document Showing They Tried to Save Military Installations
It appears that 3,700 Missouri jobs may be lost as a result of the Pentagon’s base closing recommendations, in part, because the issue was not on the governor’s radar screen. In response to a Sunshine law request, Gov. Matt Blunt’s office can not produce a single document or record showing that they ever attempted to save or lobby for the eight Missouri installations that are slated to close or lose jobs.
05-16-2005
Missouri’s Social Services Director Teaching at the University of Wyoming, but Drawing $103,000 Salary from Missouri Taxpayers
On March 7 when Matt Blunt announced his choice to lead the state’s largest agency he said, “Gary Sherman is the right person at the right time to lead the Missouri Department of Social Services.” Apparently the “right time” to lead the department won’t be until August 7, when Sherman finishes teaching summer classes at the University of Wyoming. Meanwhile Missouri taxpayers continue to pay Sherman’s $103,224 yearly salary.
04-26-2005
Matt Blunt – The Best Friend any Insurance Company Could Have
The Missouri Democratic Party today called on Gov. Matt Blunt to stop using his administration to protect insurance companies who conduct business dishonestly. Yesterday, Gov. Blunt’s Department of Insurance rushed into court to provide protection for insurance companies who defraud Missouri investors, and attempted to undermine Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s enforcement action against insurance giant Waddell & Reed, Inc.
04-25-2005
GOP Lawmaker Pays Personal Tax Debts with Campaign Funds
The Missouri Democratic Party today filed an ethics complaint against Republican State Representative Cynthia Davis of O’Fallon for using campaign money to pay her own property taxes on a Jefferson City residence. The complaint argues that on multiple occasions Rep. Davis has illegally converted campaign funds to personal use, including paying her real estate taxes, purchasing an automobile, and making deposits into a personal bank account.
04-19-2005
Carnahan Touts Outstanding Customer Service During First 100 Days in Office
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today marked her 100th day in office stating, “Public service is about providing good customer service. I am proud of the many ways my office has worked everyday to make a difference for Missourians.”
04-19-2005
Matt Blunt: 100 Days of Breaking Promises and Stealing Hope
The Missouri Democratic Party today issued its Report Card on Gov. Matt Blunt’s first 100 days in office – a period frequently used as a benchmark to review a leader’s progress in office. Blunt received failing grades on Hope & Opportunity, Justice, Integrity, and Keeping Promises.
