GOP Primary Divides Establishment
[ Patrick Tuohey ]David Catanese's POLITICO piece was titled, Why Schweich Would Be Good For Steelman, but it could have just as easily been titled, John Brunner Fails To Impress.
But POLITICO has learned that Danforth and GOP megadonor Sam Fox are behind the push and are drafting a letter urging Schweich to get into the race and asking the party to coalesce around him as the best chance to defeat first-term Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.
A Schweich bid could represent the biggest threat to Brunner, who some in political circles are now privately comparing to Rick Perry -- another candidate with sky high expectations who flopped once thrust under the limelight.
Brunner started his campaign on lock-down. He missed the two first candidate debates preferring more controlled settings, and spent at least $12,000 on media training. He hired professional campaign marketers and is trying to keep his hands clean of negative campaigning. But that last effort seemed to fall flat when it gave a rival campaign the chance to quip, "I'm afraid Mr. Brunner doesn't know how to read a budget," striking directly at his supposed business acumen. Brunner is learning that campaigns cannot sell candidates like companies sell, well, soap.
Steelman has said on the stump that she is the candidate that the establishment GOP fears most, and she may be right. Men with more acceptable GOP pedigrees keep challenging her, and keep failing to impress.
"What's better than two guys from St. Louis running against Sarah? Three guys from St. Louis running against Sarah," mused one longtime campaign hand who has been through several statewide efforts.
However (or perhaps 'Therefore'), Steelman seems to be the candidate big donors fear most, too. Her fundraising has been lackluster, to put it kindly. Enter House Speaker Steven Tilley. Some Tea Party folks are questioning the wisdom of Steelman's placing him atop her campaign, bristling that Tilley has helped shepherd through the House some questionable bills (e.g. Aerotropolis). More than likely, however, Tilley just sees that Steelman has the best chance of winning the primary. For conservatives wary of his role in the campaign, they should consider it a great success that while conservatives are usually told to support the party leadership, this time a party leader is falling in behind the conservative.
3/8/2012 5:37:13 PM
Submit a Comment - Sign in if you have a login or create an account to start.
- Recent News
- Table of Contents
- Stop the Aggression
Answering individual aggression with government aggression will not lead us to the society we desire.
- Taxes Do Harm Growth
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is wrong when it says that Kansas is going to fall of a fiscal cliff with its pro-growth tax reforms, and that Missouri will do the same if it follows the same path.
- Moving For A Quality Education
Randy Georges Sr. moved to the U.S. to obtain a good education; now, he may have to move across town so his kids can have the same opportunity. This is a sad state, especially when alternatives, such as giving families private school options, exist.
- On the Border War
Missouri has at least two chances to win the Border War.
- Mo' Money Will Not Solve MO Problems
The state’s foundation formula for K-12 education is currently underfunded. Some are calling for more spending, but freedom, not money, is the answer to our problem.
- It Is Time to Reform Medicaid, Not Expand It
Should Missouri and other states accept an offer of “free money” from Uncle Sam to expand the Medicaid program in their states? Instead of acting as enablers of fiscal profligacy, Missouri and other states should say “no.”
- The Conservative Case for a State-Based Health Insurance Exchange
Conservatives ought to consider these items before ceding state power to the federal government.
- No Vote on Prop B, A Blessing in Disguise?
Proposition B might have brought some much-needed funding for education, but voters turned down the measure. The “no” vote may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise if legislators act on the need to address school funding issues.
- Regarding Turk
Letters regarding Jacob Turk's race for Congress.
- Can Missouri Stop The Bleeding In A New Border War With Kansas?
Missouri and Kansas have maintained a steady rivalry for decades, but Kansas' latest tax reforms have changed the competitive landscape between the two states — decidedly in Kansas' favor.
- A Low-Performing School By Any Other Name . . .
The state board of education voted to grant provisional accreditation to the Saint Louis Public School District, which is the correct decision, but this distinction will mean very little to schools or students.
- St. Louis Gets Ballpark Village And You Get The Bill
Subsidies to Ballpark Village and other big-city sports complexes are a gift to some of our wealthiest citizens — sports team owners — that provide little or no broader economic benefit.
- Lessons For Kansas City From The Chicago Teachers Strike
Strong teachers’ unions in large public school districts with multiple failing schools will do everything possible to maintain their jobs and benefits. If it is to happen, major reform must come from outside the existing system — through increased competition and choice.
- Taxpayers Lobbying For More Taxes
Taxpayer-funded lobbying for local government entities likely will not be banned so it is time to create transparency so citizens can see how their money is being spent.
- School Transfer Case Needs Common Sense Solutions
Despite a final judgment in the school transfer case, the issue remains unresolved and neither taxpayers nor students will benefit.
