Purgason Continues To Position Himself As "True Conservative" In Senate Race

The Beacon's Jo Mannies has a new story about a Chuck Purgason campaign stop in St. Louis County last night, at which Purgason argued that his true fiscal conservative credentials make him the better candidate to emerge from the GOP primary. Mannies:

Sporting his trademark bolo tie, silk vest and a flip chart, Purgason mesmerized about 50 fellow conservatives who showed up at the Midwest Music Conservatory in Clarkson Valley. It was among the first campaign forays to this side of the state by the GOP state senator from Caulfield, Mo. (He noted later that he was in town two weeks ago for some radio appearances.)

His message was dire. Purgason declared that -- nationally -- the Republican Party is "the last hope'' to turn around the nation's troubled economy and halt the federal government's rising debt.

But he also asserted that some Republicans in Congress have contributed to the country's current money problems -- notably his unnamed primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

 "My opponent was in (House) leadership when this occurred,'' Purgason said.

Purgason specifically pointed to the TARP bailout, stimulus package, "cash for clunkers'' program and the Democratic health care proposals as examples of what he thinks are bad ideas, and has some room to differentiate himself from Blunt here.

• The Wall Street Bailout. Blunt was the House GOP's lead negotiator in support of the Wall Street bailout, and even convinced some in his caucus to change their votes and pass the bill. 
   
• Cash for Clunkers. Blunt voted to extend the Cash for Clunkers program.
   
• Earmarks, Government Spending. On the stimulus package, Purgason and Blunt probably agree, but they're on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to earmarks.
   
• Health Care Reform, And Paying For It. On the issue of health care, both candidate have made it clear they loathe the proposals in Congress. That said, Blunt has guaranteed a comprehensive reform alternative that beats the current proposals on cost and service, while Purgason advocates a voucher and deregulation approach.  

  Blunt also was a key leader in ramming the 2003 Medicare prescription drug benefit through the House, while still freely acknowledging that he and his colleagues never bothered to pay for it all.

Both Blunt and Purgason are scheduled to attend the Boone County Republicans' Annual Chili Supper tonight in Columbia, which to my knowledge is the first time they've appeared on the same stage since Purgason entered the race.

Image credit: KeepYourChange2010.org