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Todd Akin wins GOP primary race for U.S. Senate (VIDEO)

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He said less than a week ago that he didn’t trust polls that said he was trailing in the GOP primary race for U.S. Senate. On election night, Congressman Todd Akin’s mistrust proved right. Akin received more than 217-thousand votes, to more than 180-thousand for businessman John Brunner and 176-thousand for former treasurer Sarah Steelman.

 

After the other two frontrunners in that race called to concede, Akin told his supporters, “Tonight, the Primary is over and tomorrow, the General Election starts.”

Akin now challenges incumbent U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill for her office. He says that campaign will be “about reclaiming our Godly values, rebuilding the American dream and restoring the America that we love.”

Akin wasted no time in returning to the themes of his campaign. That includes tying McCaskill to the Affordable Care Act. “Claire McCaskill was the deciding vote on passing Obamacare, and it’s my plan to be the deciding vote and get rid of Obamacare.”

Winner of the GOP Primary race for U.S. Senate Todd Akin (right) answers questions from Missourinet’s Mike Lear.

When asked why McCaskill’s vote should be considered “the deciding” vote, Akin says, “Well I guess that’s one of the things people talk about when somebody takes a vote, it passes by just exactly that vote, you could say that anybody in a sense is a deciding vote. That may or may not be … you could always argue, ‘Well, but if she voted another way they would have turned some other vote,” so it’s one of those … but in this case it was passed by one vote and she was the vote.”

Throughout the primary campaign, Akin touted his standing as the most conservative among himself, Brunner and Steelman. His son and campaign manager, Perry Akin, says that message won’t change now that the focus shifts to November and McCaskill. “That’s been his message from the beginning. He has a clear voting record. He’s been very clear on the campaign trail, articulating where he stands and what he sees that needs to be changed in Washington.”

Akin also continues to credit his endorsement from former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as helping to propel him during the campaign. He told supporters Huckabee, “was with us from the start, he stayed by our side and he lifted us up in prayer and tonight he’s celebrating with us in victory.”

Akin on late-race polls, campaign finances and messages

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Congressman Todd Akin says he’s not concerned by polls early this week that showed him trailing Sarah Steelman and John Brunner in the GOP Senate race.

Congressman and U.S. Senate hopeful Todd Akin contines a tour of the state today in St. Louis.

Akin says he’s been through campaigns before, and he doesn’t trust the results of polls that come out this close to an election.

“Part of it’s because, who can predict the people that are going to be … whatever, 100 degrees August 7? That are gonna be at the polls? I think it’s very hard to know. So the polling data is traditionally very tricky at this time, plus you’ve got people putting the last of their money into advertising and other kinds of campaign activities.”

Akin says he believes the race for the seat of Senator Claire McCaskill is still close between the three frontrunners.

“The fact that we’ve had Huckabee supporting us has been very strong for us … and I think the fact that I have a proven record and people know what they’re getting with me, and the fact that I was willing to vote against my own party in some very high-profile votes indicate that I’m trying to put principle first.”

Akin’s campaign has focused much of its attention on its message in recent weeks, and accuses his opponents of turning to negative attack ads. “We don’t really think that running other Republicans down to build yourself up is really a very honest or good way to do things, and so we’ve rejected that and decided that we’re going to talk just about what’s positive and where we need to be going as a nation.”

Akin says his campaign has surpassed those of his opponents in grassroots efforts and message, but financially it’s been more of a challenge.

“I’ve raised more money five quarters running than my two opponents, but both of them have received … one has written himself seven million dollars, so he’s trying to buy the race, and the other one has gotten some very big contributions in the super PACs, so it’s like one or two people giving big, big blocks of money.”

Of the endorsement of Steelman by former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Akin says it could cost him votes. “Sarah Palin has tended to endorse women around the country and so it doesn’t surprise us that she might jump into this race … She’s not very predictable a lot of times where she jumps or who she jumps but it seems like there is a pattern that she’s very much more of the sort of the feminist side of jumping into … the women running in various races.”

Rush Limbaugh inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians (VIDEO)

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Behind closed and locked doors, radio commentator Rush Limbaugh was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians today in a private ceremony in the Missouri House of representatives. 

In an event announced about 25 minutes before it began and not opened to the general public, Limbaugh’s bust was unveiled before a group made up mostly of Republican lawmakers, along with their staff, Limbaugh’s family and at least two political candidates – U.S. Senate hopeful Sarah Steelman and incumbant Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who also spoke at the event. Highway Patrolmen guarded the entrances to the House Chamber.

Inductees to the Hall are chosen by the Speaker of the Missouri House. Speaker Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) says Limbaugh deserves the honor as an entertainer, and says nothing Limbaugh has said that has garnered controversy should overshadow the whole of his work and accomplishments.

The decision to honor Limbaugh generated contention in recent weeks, especially after a recent scandal during which Limbaugh called a Georgetown law student a “slut” and a “prostitute” after she testified before Congress regarding access to contraceptives.

See the videos of Limbaugh speaking (top) and the other speakers and his introduction (bottom)

　

GOP Senate candidates debate at Lincoln Days (AUDIO)

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The Republican party candidates for United States Senator have for the first time been together in a debate, Saturday at Lincoln Days in Kansas City’s Crown Center. The trio said more on stage about the President than they did about Senator Claire McCaskill or one another.
 
GOP Senate Candidates (from right to left) John Brunner, Congressman Todd Akin and Sarah Steelman

All three said the president’s health care reform plan must be repealed. Congressman Todd Akin said a new approach must be taken. “The way to attack Medicare is to get rid of the government price setting and use the Medicare dollars so that people actually have purchasing power and can make choices.”

Former state treasurer Sarah Steelman says Republicans are going to have to recognize that there is a health care problem in the U.S. “The cost of paying for insurance keeps going up and up and up and it takes more of families’ discretionary income.”

Businessman John Brunner told the audience not to forget that Senator McCaskill’s was the tie-breaking vote in favor of the health care reform package, and he told Republicans to stop calling it “Obamacare.” “I think we just need to call it the Obamacare program and go forward with that and keep those two together and repeal both of those folks.”

Infrastructure

The three were asked to consider what they would do to provide funds for highways and infrastructure. Congressman Akin says before he would raise the federal gas tax, he would look at an idea that has been promoted by the Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. “I think we’d do better to copy what the governor or Indiana did, and that is to simply put some toll booths on, say, Highway (Interstate) 70, because when you do that it’s a user fee. If you don’t use it, you don’t pay the fee.” Brunner and Steelman both say they oppose the toll roads idea.

Steelman brought the infrastructure conversation back to one of the main budgeting ideas she supports. She says the government has plenty of money already, but needs to re-prioritize it through zero-based budgeting. “We need to go in to each program in the federal government and look at it and find out what it’s about. Is it constitutional? If it is, do we really need it? If we really need it should it be at the federal level, the state level or at the local level?”

Brunner says he would repeal the federal gas tax. “Why is the money going to Washington D.C. and then coming back in the forms of earmarks and political decisions in terms of what really needs to be fixed in different parts of the state?”

Federal farm policy

Citing the possibility the likelihood that the reformulation of the federal farm bill will be pushed back to next year, thereby falling to the winner of this campaign, the three were asked what they would do with it. The candidates focused on regulations, land use issues and restricting the hours that children can work on farms, saying those issues are the ones farmers are concerned with the most, though none of those are farm bill issues.

Congressman Akin said he would try to phase out direct payments over time, where he says the government is doing “sort of bail-outy types of things.” He also wants to separate out social programs, like food stamps, from the farm programs in that legislation.

Off-stage conflict

While the debate on the stage was low-key and congenial, the fireworks came to the row of reporters covering the event. A Brunner campaign staffer handed out a release criticizing Steelman’s plan for what she would do in her first 60 days in office. It said her plan contained no new ideas, calling it a “cut and paste” platform.

Brunner was asked why he didn’t bring the issue up on the stage. He said he wanted to keep a friendlier tone in front of fellow Republicans. “We’re gonna move down this campaign trail. It’s still early. We’ll have plenty of opportunities.”

Steelman questioned why Brunner did not bring the issue up in front of the audience. “He didn’t show up for the first two debates. Here, he had a chance. He didn’t take it.” She added, “Maybe he’s worried about me.”

AUDIO:  Listen to the debate, 1:19:18

Republican senate candidates spar on spending

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Two Republican candidates for Senator Claire McCaskill’s office have taken part in their second debate. While former state treasurer Sarah Steelman and Congressman Todd Akin agreed on many issues, they challenged one another over earmarks.

Akin supports the use of funds targeted at specific purposes. Steelman says her opposition to those appropriations has cost her support in her own party.

Both said there are federal agencies they would eliminate if they could, singling out the Department of Education. Steelman challenged Akin, however, saying he has had opportunities to cut funding to such agencies and hasn’t done it. “Yes, the EPA is too big and the Corps of Engineers is out of hand, but Congress has set by and let that happen … With all due respect Congressman Akin, what have you done about it?”

Akin says conservatives have made the efforts she refers to, but blames the Senate for not passing them. “That’s the thing that kills everything we’re trying to do.”

Both candidates highlighted their splits with leadership in their own Republican party. Steelman highlighted the divide over earmarks, while Akin noted voting against the No Child Left Behind Act, despite personal requests from President George W. Bush to vote in favor of it.

The candidates also noted the absence of fellow candidate and St. Louis businessman John Brunner, whose staff said he could not be at the debate at Branson High School due to a scheduling conflict. Steelman accused Brunner of trying to buy the election.

Republicans split on possible U.S. Senate primary showdown

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Republicans who gathered in Kansas City for the party’s annual Lincoln Days weekend head home knowing a possible primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by outgoing Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond looms in the future. Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt is the only announced GOP candidate but former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is strongly hinting she will get into the race.

Ronny Marguson of Cole County has some concerns about how a primary might create factions within the party.

"Right now, it’s better if we do not have a primary," says Margason.

Those thoughts are echoed by Susie Barrett of Jefferson City.

"I believe that we shouldn’t muddy the waters," says Barrett. "I think we need to unite, join our forces, and not split the party."

Samantha Hill of Holden fears a divisive primary similar to last year’s Kenny Hulshof-Sarah Steelman primary in the race for Governor.

"After what we went through last year and the divisions that were caused by past primaries," comments Hill, "Whether or not you think primaries are good on principle, I don’t think that now is the time."

Henry Atkinson of Columbia has no doubt there will be a primary, and hopes the contest maintains a high level of civility.

"Obviously, in the best of worlds, it would be nice to avoid a primary," states Atkinson, "However, if we have one, we’ll have a fair and hopefully civil contest."

Ivry Karamitros, who was involved in the Victory 2008 effort in southwest Missouri, believes no one should be discouraged from entering the contest. But she hopes a winner emerges quickly.

Says Karamitros: "We don’t have much time and this is a very important race." She adds, "That thing should be wrapped up so the Missouri Republican Party can be unified so we can attain the goal of having the Senate seat remain a Republican Senate seat."

Sarah Greek sums it up with the thought that primaries give voters the opportunity to separate the candidates and the various points of view.

"Primaries tend to create factions within the party," says the Mountain Grove resident. "So it’s understandable when parties try to avoid them, but primaries are a necessary good. We have them. They’re designed with the ultimate intention of having stellar candidates."

Commenting on primaries, in general, Greek adds: "While primaries might be hard on parties, hopefully, the ultimate results will be for the good of the country."

 

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

No announcement yet, but Steelman hints she’s planning run for U.S. Senate

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She’s not ready to announce her candidacy, but former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is giving strong hints that she’s preparing to toss her hat into the ring to challenge Congressman Roy Blunt for the Republican Party nomination to succeed Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond in the U.S. Senate.

Former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman Those she was not part of the official program, Steelman and her husband, David, made the rounds of the hospitality suites Friday at a downtown hotel in Kansas City – the site of this year’s Republican Party Lincoln Days weekend.

In an interview with the Missourinet, Steelman said it’s something she is thinking about a great deal. "I’m looking at it," said Steelman. "I’m looking at it very closely."

Asked about Congressman Blunt’s performance on Capitol Hill in Washington, Steelman took the opportunity to blast the Congressman over his support of the initial bailout bill that has failed to being the hoped for relief.

"Well, I thought the bailout vote was a disaster when it happened," said Steelman, "I couldn’t understand why Republicans were reporting that."

And, Steelman says there is support for her possible candidacy. "I’ve had a lot of people come to me and say, ‘Hey, you know, we were with Kenny Hulshof. But this time, if you run, we’re gonna be with you.’"

Steelman gives no indication when she might be ready to announce one way or the other.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh interviews Sarah Steelman (5:00 MP3)

Jim Talent, Roy Blunt, Sarah Steelman among Republicans considering running for Bond’s Senate seat

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Senator Kit Bond’s decision not to seek reelection in 2010 has started the talk about possible Republican candidates. Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent is certainly considering a run. “When the shock wears off I’m gonna consider it,” says Talent. “I enjoy having an impact in public life and … this is an opportunity that I’m gonna look at carefully.”

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt, the former Minority Whip in the U.S. House, is said to be considering. That word came from his son, outgoing Governor Matt Blunt, who issued a statement calling his father “the leading candidate.” The Governor says he talked with his father in general following the Bond announcement, but concedes he has had “no real strategic discussion.”

Outgoing State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is considering a run. In an interview with KY3 TV in Springfield, Steelman took a shot at both Senator Bond and Congressman Blunt, saying, “Senator Bond and Congressman Blunt represent the old ways of Washington. I don’t think people can tolerate that.” Bond endorsed Steelman’s opponent, Congressman Kenny Hulshof, in the Republican primary for Governor.

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder is another prominent Republican who ran, briefly, for Governor before withdrawing to seek reelection. Asked whether he is thinking of running, Kinder would not say, preferring to praise Bond today and to put off any announcement until later. In making that statement, Kinder responded to the Steelman comments without mentioning the State Treasurer by name. “I’m not going to join those with what I think is rather unseemly haste at taking pot shots at such a distinguished public servant or announcing my own plans today.”

Long-time Nixon friend sees a more mature Nixon

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A long-time friend, political adviser and colleague of Attorney General Jay Nixon says he sees a difference in Nixon that led to his victory in the gubernatorial race.

Nixon won a lopsided victory November 4 th over Republican Kenny Hulshof, the northeast Missouri Congressman.

Jefferson City Attorney Chuck Hatfield worked as Nixon’s Chief of Staff and Counsel in the attorney general’s office for ten years. Hatfield ran his 1998 Senator campaign; a loss to incumbent Republican Bond. Nixon also lost in a challenge to incumbent Republican John Danforth in 1988.

Hatfield says a shift in attitude among the electorate benefitted Nixon this year. He suggests that Nixon’s stance on issues hasn’t changed much over the years. Hatfield notes that Nixon emphasized health care in 1998, but the issue didn’t seem to interest voters as much as it did this year. He says Nixon has matured over the years, since first winning election as attorney general in 1992.

Hatfield says the one adjective he would use to describe Nixon would be "aggressive". He still sees an aggressive Nixon, but one who has learned to temper his aggression. Hatfield says Nixon has grown up and now knows where the political minefields are.

Nixon benefitted from an ineffective Hulshof campaign, hastily thrown together after Governor Blunt announced in January he wouldn’t run for re-election. Hatfield says everything changed when Blunt decided not to run for re-election. That forced a primary showdown between Hulshof and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman that left Hulshof battered and broke. Hatfield says a lack of experience in running a state-wide campaign also doomed Hulshof.

Hatfield says Nixon appears to have a sharper focus, more intense than in the past, which he says is a a product of years of Nixon working at his career.

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Combining politics and family

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Some political commentators have suggested that Sarah Palin will have trouble balancing vice presidential duties with raising a family. During state treasurer Sarah Steelman’s 10 year political career she said she was able to find a balance, but it did come with consequences. She choose to put her family first, commute daily from Jefferson City to her home in Rolla and attend family functions over political galas. 

"Sometimes you do have to suffer some of the consequences the political consequences of not being able to be to be a part of that good ole boy network and frankly that’s what it is, but being a good mom was more important to me," Steelman said. 

It’s hard no matter what you do as a working mother, she said. It’s hard to balance work and family and it’s particularly difficult for women politicians. 

"I do think that women are treated differently on the campaign trial," Steelman said. "I think Sarah Palin has been asked questions that no man would have ever been asked and I don’t think that’s fair but you know what she’s tough and women are tough and when you’re in politics you’ve got to be tough."

download or listen to Aurora Meyer’s story here.