Jefferson Thomas's blog

Peter "Every Dollar Counts" Kinder has put his full backing behind a taxpayer funded french-style bike race  a taxpayer funded Cardinal's stadium a taxpayer funded pro-soccer stadium in Kansas City. 

At a recent meeting of the Missouri Development Finance Board, Kinder, mixing metaphors, praised the $30 million dollar soccer stadium as a "home run." 

And yet, Kinder's running mate, Kenny "The Earmark" Hulshof, has been silent on his partner's priority.

So Kenny, what do you think of Peter's taxpayer funded pro-soccor stadium plan?  Story Continued »

Just how out of touch is John McCain with the day-to-day challenges of middle class life in America?

Pretty darn out of touch.

The guy can't even remember how many pairs of shoes houses he owns.

 "I think - I'll have my staff get to you," McCain told [a reporter] in Las Cruces, N.M. "It's condominiums where - I'll have them get to you."

We will be waiting for the staff inventory, but the answer is... seven.

 Story Continued »

There he goes again.

According to recently released state records, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder is advocating for taxpayers to pick up the bill for another pro-sports stadium.

After a week of pitched GOP in-fighting, an issue finally came along that was so compelling, it moved former intra-party combatants to beat their political swords into plowshares and leave small-village thinking behind.

That unifier?

Earlier this week, Matt Blunt issued one of the most important press releases of his administration.

It warned motorists about the dangers of seeking shelter in automobiles during tornadoes.  The news release followed the death of an entire family in their car during Saturday's storms in southwest Missouri.

Without doubt, this was information every Missourian needed to know--- the kind of dispatch they expect and deserve from their Governor and government.

But it's the kind of information that's getting harder and harder for Matt Blunt to effectively communicate.  Story Continued »

Catholics who want to protect affirmative action can make a meaningful difference this weekend.

They can boycott the church collection plate.

The Catholic Church is currently sending its collection plate money to people who are working to ban affirmative action in the state.

Missouri Catholics should stand up for social justice this weekend by standing up to their church and standing down on tithing.  Story Continued »

For the second time this month, Kenny Hulshof has used a state building for a full throttled political event.

On February 6th, Hulshof held a political rally with GOP lawmakers at the Capital Building.

And today, he held a second political rally in the House Lounge at the Capital Building.

Perhaps the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.  Hulshof's mentor, former Attorney General Bill Webster, went to jail for using state resources on his campaign.  Story Continued »

The Missouri Catholic Conference is the largest single funder of the campaign to ban stem cell therapies and cures and repeal the 2006 voter approved stem cell amendment.  According to campaign finance reports, they have already contributed $175,000 to get their do-over on the ballot.

But that's not all they are buying.

In the first policy pronouncement of his gubernatorial campaign, Kenny Hulshof today embraced... unlimited special interest campaign cash.

That according to AP coverage as the GOP hastily pushes a repeal of campaign contribution limits through the legislature.

But missing from the AP story is any information about whether Hulshof is lobbying legislators on the issue.  Story Continued »

Matt Blunt today launched his campaign for re-election Mitt's running mate McCain's Cabinet by praising the Department of Defense and US Navy for shooting down a dying US spy satellite.

“I congratulate the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy for their successful effort to destroy this satellite which could have posed a public safety threat on its re-entry. 

Matt Blunt was in Kansas City on Friday for a summit with Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius on the future of life sciences research.

Blunt had strong words for politicians who oppose stem cell research.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt on Friday urged the removal of stem-cell research politics as an obstacle for the region’s life sciences economy.

“Missourians have spoken,” Blunt said at the Governors’ Summit on Regional Economic Development at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.

“They are supportive of responsible scientific research and allowing research that the federal government allows in our state,” Blunt said. “I am hopeful we will get to a sense of stability and it will be clear that this sort of early stem-cell research is indeed protected in our state.”

The two Republicans seeking to succeed Blunt, Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman, oppose stem cell research and have embraced a ballot measure to repeal state protections for such research.  Story Continued »

With Missourians focused on the GOP and Democratic Presidential Primary, Fired Up is pleased to call an early winner--- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

Carnahan has made remarkable upgrades to the state's election night reporting system, adding interactive maps and graphs.

Election night will never be quite the same.  Carnhan has largely leveled the playing field between political insiders and everyday Missourians when it comes to real-time election night information.

Congratulations and keep up the good work.  Story Continued »

The Associated Press is reporting that Kenny Hulshof will enter the crowded GOP field for Governor.

Missourians will recall that the vocation confused Hulshof recently applied for another job--- President of the University of Missouri.

As Hulshof applies for a new job, he owes it to Missourians to release all documents from his failed bid and direct the University of Missouri to do the same.

No doubt the GOP base will be curious as to how Hulshof explained his right wing, anti-science record to the University community.  

Only time will tell if Hulshof embraces sunshine or darkness.  Story Continued »

Last year, Matt Blunt employed the North Korean  propaganda model by having his departments issue simultaneous press releases praising the Dear Leader's  Governor's State of the State Address.

This year, more of the same.

But Blunt took it a step further this year.  According to the Associated Press, Blunt's propaganda staff only showed smiling Republicans in the official video feed of the speech.  

No word on when martial law will be declared.­