Cole's blog

In a remarkable example of government leveling the playing field between everyday Missourians and large corporate interests, Robin Carnahan's Office lead a multi-state, on-site investigation of Wachovia Securities Monday.  

Wachovia has been accused of misleading small investors about the safety and liquidity of certain investments.  The large securities firm has been stonewalling investigators from Missouri and other states.

The ethically challenged Blunt Public Service Commission has found itself faced with the unfathomable--- drafting an ethics policy.

So the Commission has punted and asked a private vendor to tutor it on ethics.

No word on whether Andy Blunt's law firm will bid on the contract.   Story Continued »

In an indication of just how far down the wrong track things have gone, the Blunt Administration today announced its opposition to Bush Administration regulations of health-harming ozone.  Team Blunt thinks the Bush standards are too strict and wants to join the state of Mississippi in opposing them.

Quite a legacy their building there--- and that Kenny and Sarah want to continue.­­  Story Continued »

According to recently released state documents, GOP Attorney General candidate Mike Gibbons has asked the Missouri Development Finance Board to divert $5 million in job creation funds to Stages of Chesterfield, "a musical theatrical company that has four performance shows a year."

No word yet on whether MDFB President Peter Kinder is supporting Gibbon's bold jobs plan.

All week, Sarah Steelman and Kenny "Fred Thompson" Hulshof have been engaged in a pitched battle for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

What will the winner get for their trouble?

The right to be trounced by Jay Nixon.

A new Survey USA poll has Nixon beating Steelman by 25 points and Hushof by 24.

Moral of the story: Be very careful what you wish for.  Story Continued »

All day, Matt Blunt has been issuing press releases trying to build a legacy around his handling of the Great Quake of '08.

And yet, Blunt has neglected to fill three vacancies on the Seismic Safety Commission.

Inaction speaks louder than words.  Story Continued »

As Republicans look to conservative Christians for help in the fall elections, they should mark the Missouri Baptist Convention off their target list.

According to the Missouri Baptist Pathway, the Convention is facing deep internal strife in a battle for the soul of the conservative denomination.  It seems unlikely they will have much time or energy for secular politics this fall.

Public education opponent Rex Sinquefield is facing an Ethics Commission investigation over his coordinated use of 100 cookie cutter PACs to circumvent state campaign contribution limits.

Last week he got some bad new from Ohio.  

The Missouri Development Finance Board is set to meet on April 15th.

With jobs drying up, these are tough times for the state's economy. 

But the big question for Tuesday's meeting is whether Board Chair Peter Kinder will continue to insist on using the Board's limited job creation resources... paying off the debt of his 2007 French-style, novelty bike race.

And Peter "Every Dollar Count" Kinder hasn't even provided the board a detailed accounting of his race's spending, including that on GOP cronies.

Stay tuned.  Story Continued »

Last week, opponents of stem cell research and cures launched a campaign against... opponents of stem cell research and cures.

With a filing that was effectively a Declaration of War, a group calling itself the "Missouri Roundtable for Life" filed three initiative petitions with the Secretary of State to ban stem cell research, cures and the funding of both.

The proposals directly compete with one promoted by a rival group, deceptively calling itself "Cures Without Cloning."  Story Continued »

According to statehouse sources, GOP mercenary Rod Jetton is combing the budget of State Treasurer Sarah Steelman as it moves through the Missouri House.

Of particular interest is her communications budget.  Political observers note that stripping Steelman of her FY 09 communications budget would leave her office mute in the month leading up to the August 2008 GOP gubernatorial primary.

 Watch for Jetton to use the force with Steelman's budget.  Story Continued »

Kenny Hulshof was in Jeff City today continuing his campaign to continue the policies of the Blunt Administration.

He took part in a ceremony officiated by House Majority Leader Minority Leader Speaker Rod Jetton, declaring him an official client Jefferson City insider.  A few dozen Medicaid cutting house members served as witnesses to the touching affair.

But Hulshof skipped the only thing he really had to get done in the capital city.  Story Continued »

For those keeping track, Kenny Hulshof made it official today--- he is the second coming of Matt Blunt.

According to Hulshof, his purpose in running for Governor is "to build upon what he called the progress of the past 3 1/2 years under outgoing Gov. Matt Blunt...."

The first rule in politics is "don't create high expectations then under deliver."  Just ask Fred Thompson, who entered the GOP presidential race to big buzz then underwhelmed.

Apparently, Kenny Hulshof and his allies have never heard of that rule.

Hulshof's entry into the GOP gubernatorial primary was trumpeted by newly unemployed Blunt staffers as the singular event that would save their party from... itself.

On the eve of his announcement, Hulshof's staff declared that he would make an announcement that would "forever change the landscape of Missouri politics."

Sounded big, really big.

But then he phoned in his announcement from Washington, DC.

And gave rambling answers to reporters' questions at his kick-off rally conference call.

Reporters were apparently unimpressed.

And Missouri got its very own Fred Thompson.  Story Continued »

As reported by the Associated Press, Missouri veterans groups are pushing for a 1/8 cent sales tax increase.

The proposal has been embraced by Matt Blunt's Veterans Commission, which passed a resolution in support of it.

House GOP veterans czar David Day has given it the green light.

And even Former Marine Rod Jetton is on board.

With GOP consensus breaking out in the Capital, it's surprising that the three GOP gubernatorial candidates have been silent on this issue?

Kenny, Sarah and Pete, what say you about this $80 million tax increase?  Story Continued »