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Jul-25-2008Friday: Around the political blogosphere(topic overview)
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U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof and Treasurer Sarah Steelman are trying to convince Aug. 5 primary voters that each would be the best Republican to go up against Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon in the November general election. Their debate Tuesday on St. Louis radio station KMOX came just hours after Nixon outlined a health care plan calling for the restoration of the Republican-led 2005 cuts to Missouri's Medicaid system. [1] Treasurer Sarah Steelman is continuing to attack U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof as a Washington congressman controlled by special interests, and Hulshof told voters that Steelman is too closely aligned with Attorney General Jay Nixon, the likely Democratic nominee in the race. In front of the key voters in GOP-rich Springfield, both candidates touted their pro-business, low-tax, anti-abortion policies. They pointed out sharp differences in their approaches to several issues. The biggest difference and one that is important in southwestern Missouri is their approaches to the ethanol industry.[2]
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Political Fix notes that Attorney General Jay Nixon will be online to answer questions at 2 p.m. today and links to Q&A transcripts with U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. KC Light Rail offers its take on comments at the public hearing over the stater line for light rail.[3]
The Republican Party has four names on the ballot for governor: State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, Scott Long and Jennie Lee Schwartze Sievers. When the top two candidates, Steelman and Hulshof, are not launching attacks or shielding themselves from criticism from each other, they preach variations on the same Republican themes: less public spending and regulation, lower taxes and conservative social policy, including opposing gay marriage and abortion. While both Steelman and Hulshof are burning money campaigning against each other, Nixon has reported a total of $3.75 million earmarked for his campaign in November.[4] If you can't say anything nice about somebody, run in a political primary. U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, shed his nice-guy image last night and went on the offensive against his opponent, Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Tired of what he called "a relentless, constant barrage of attack" by Steelman in the campaign, Hulshof criticized Steelman's attempt to steer a $133 million appropriation to nursing homes when she was in the state Senate in 2000.[5]
To Sarah Steelman, there's nothing contradictory about being a conservative rebel within the Republican Party. "Does the public want someone who goes along to get along, or someone who stands up for their best interests?" Steelman says. The statement reflects a feisty quality that her campaign for governor has taken on in recent weeks as most of Missouri's GOP establishment moved to support her opponent, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof of Columbia. It also reflects a longstanding independent streak that Steelman has shown since the moment she stepped onto the state's political scene as a state senator in 1999. Less than a month after taking office, she pitched a proposal to eliminate state pensions for lawmakers.[6]
Two weeks to go before the Missouri governor's primary and I am completely perplexed by the campaigns of both Republican candidates. First of all, where is Kenny Hulshof ? For that matter, who is Kenny Hulshof? His name recognition in the Kansas City area barely registers, and he never seems to be around. Maybe he creeps into town in the dead of night. Sarah Steelman has been more visible, but her campaign style is baffling to me. She reminds me of a student struggling to get through an oral exam that she hasn't prepared for. Example: Steelman thinks Kansas City should phase out its earnings tax. That's a pretty radical proposal, since the E-tax accounts for 43 percent of the revenue in Kansas City's general fund. You'd think a candidate who suggests such a thing would come to Kansas City well-armed with studies and data explaining how--in theory, anyhow--a growth boom would recoup the lost tax money.[7] Myself and a few other members of the Post-Dispatch/STLToday.com team have put together a side-by-side comparison of the gubernatorial candidates. For the project, we interviewed Kenny Hulshof, Jay Nixon and Sarah Steelman on camera with the same questions, and edited their video responses down to about a minute each. We tried to stick to topics that matter both to the campaigns as well as prominent public issues and questions in Missouri. Lastly, feel free to submit questions in advance live online chats scheduled for this week with each of the would-be governors.[8] With four Republican candidates - Scott Long, Sarah Steelman, Kenny Hulshof and Jennie Lee (Jen) Schwartze Sievers, to tackle just two Democratic candidates - Jay Nixon and Daniel Carroll, as well as Libertarian candidate - Andrew Finkenstadt, the race for the Governor's mansion should indeed be an interesting battle.[9]
While there were no big zingers or mistakes in the just completed KMOX Republican gubernatorial debate between U.S. Kenny Hulshof and Treasurer Sarah Steelman, the hour-long exchange on Mark Reardon's show did highlight some differences between the candidates. As has been her campaign strategy, Steelman labeled Hulshof as a big spender from Washington. "It's easy to mislead voters and unfortunately that's all Miss Steelman has to offer," Hulshof said.[10] Published July 23, 2008 11:49 pm - SPRINGFIELD, Mo. U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof fought back in a Wednesday night debate against what he derided as a "relentless, constant barrage of attack" by Republican gubernatorial rival Sarah Steelman, countering her portrayal of him as a big spender by casting her as an ally of Big Oil.[11]
Steelman, the state treasurer, is running against U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof in Missouri's Aug. 5 Republican gubernatorial primary.[12]
State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Congressman Kenny Hulshof went head to head''in Springfield, in the only televised Republican debate in their bid for Governor. They spent most of the debate comparing experience, defending their voting records, and discussing issues like embryonic stem cell research, the condition of Missouri roads, and healthcare.[13] Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman (R-MO) went toe to toe in studios of KY3 television in Springfield in a debate sponsored by KY3, the Springfield News-Leader, KSMU, and Ozarks Public Television. Many of the issues that had been addressed before were brought up during this debate - such issues as embryonic stem cell research and how both candidates are opposed to it.[14]
For much of the campaign, Steelman, the state treasurer, has labeled Hulshof as a Washington big spender. She continued the theme, pointing out the 9th District congressman's support for more than 11,000 earmarks. Up until Tuesday, Hulshof has rarely attacked his opponent with that kind of vigor. In the debate, Hulshof sharpened his rhetoric, suggesting that she is not much different than the Democratic candidate in the race, Attorney General Jay Nixon. Hulshof said he was the candidate more likely to run a campaign of distinction against Nixon because Steelman and the attorney general agree on many issues. Chief among those, Hulshof said, is the issue of tort reform.[15] Nixon has been running for governor for several years, with the Medicaid cuts as a central campaign theme. Hulshof and Steelman both praised Blunt on Tuesday for improving the state's business climate and budget while keeping taxes low. Asked why they would make a better candidate against Nixon, Hulshof argued that he had more policy disagreements with the attorney general than did Steelman, who countered that she could better stand up for the people as opposed to special interest groups. More specifically, Hulshof cited differences with Nixon and Steelman over his support for lawsuit limits, opposition to collective bargaining for state employees and belief that a state fund for injured workers is headed toward insolvency. Steelman cited her ability to "stand up to the establishment" by trying as a senator to end legislative pensions and trying as treasurer to prohibit state financial incentives from going to ethanol plants whose investors include elected officials. As she has throughout the campaign, Steelman cast Hulshof as a Washington insider who has supported earmarking taxpayer money for questionable pork projects.[1] Many have Nixon as the leading candidate for the Democrats, while Hulshof and Steelman will battle for the Republican nomination. As for the Democrats, Nixon is the most experienced, considering his extensive background as the state's Attorney General. A native of Desoto, Mo., Nixon first became a major party figure when Jefferson county voters elected him to the State Senate in 1986. It wasn't until 1992 that Nixon was elected by the Missouri voters to become the state's Attorney General. During his 15 years in the seat, Nixon has been an advocate for those in Jefferson City for issues ranging from affordable health care, to adequate education in the state's two predominant school districts. He is also credited for making Missouri voters aware of such tough issues surrounding predatory lenders and that includes, insurance companies. According to Nixon "While our economy lags, Gov. Blunt slashed the Medicaid program, he turned down more than $1 billion federal dollars, a move that not only cost thousands of Missourians their health insurance, but cost the state at least $1.4 billion in economic activity and thousands of new jobs in the medical field," Nixon said.[9] On the Republican front, Ms. Steelman has served as the State Treasurer since 2004. A native of Jefferson City, Mo., Mrs. Steelman was elected to the Missouri State Senate for the 16th District in 1998, and served there until 2004, when she was State Treasurer. As a State Senator she sponsored bills requiring students to say the Pledge of Allegiance and observe Veteran's Day in public schools, as well as voted against proposed tax increases, and was the sponsor to the Marriage Amendment to the Constitution. Mrs. Steelman says if elected as governor, she would work to reduce government regulation, lower taxes, improve access to capital and leverage state investments in order to improve Missouri's economy. "With rising fuel prices, food prices, and healthcare costs, Missouri families deserve tax relief," she said. As it relates to education, Mrs. Steelman said she would develop new partnerships between Missouri businesses and the state's many colleges and universities. She also said she would implement the Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology programs that would enhance education among the 500-plus schools in the state. She also seeks to replace a key test that many districts including Kansas City, Mo., take each spring. Mrs. Steelman would like to replace the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test in favor of the ACT, which she believes will better prepare students for higher education. While Mrs. Steelman has high ideas, she will receive a stiff challenge from Hulshof, who has served as a U.S. congressman since 1996.[9]
Steelman is married to David Steelman, a former Republican state representative from Rolla who narrowly lost the 1992 race for Missouri attorney general. In 1998, Steelman plunged into politics on her own, taking on a four-term state senator. She won with 58 percent of the vote by arguing that her opponent had lost touch with the district and had become part of the problem with government. In the Senate, she earned a reputation as an advocate for good government. She pushed for improvements in the state Sunshine law and stronger ethical standards while opposing tax subsidies she called corporate welfare. After being elected state treasurer in 2004, Steelman angered farmers in the legislature when she adopted a conflict of interest policy that prevented legislators from personally benefiting from the tax credits approved for ethanol plants. She embarrassed Republican Gov. Matt Blunt early last year when she accused administration officials of arranging a secret payoff to a victim of sexual harassment.[6] The winner of the Republican primary is expected to face Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon in the November gubernatorial election. Hulshof and Steelman are running because Republican Gov. Matt Blunt stunned supporters and foes alike by announcing in January that he will not seek re-election. Hulshof and Steelman both have placed a campaign emphasis on southwest Missouri, traditionally the most Republican part of the state.[11] Steelman also claims the mandate is contributing to higher food prices - a claim rejected by Hulshof. Steelman and Hulshof now head into the homestretch as they prepare for the primary vote which is less than two weeks from now. The winner of the race will get little rest as he or she must then begin a new battle against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon (D-MO), Missouri's Attorney General. E-Mail this page.[14]
Attorney General Jay Nixon is the presumptive Democratic candidate for governor. Hulshof said Steelman's campaign had spent $580,000 on ads attacking him. He noted that even during the debate she could not find any positives in response to a reporter's question about what Hulshof had done right.[5] The debate was moderated by Reardon and questions were asked by my colleague Jo Mannies and KMOX reporter Megan Lynch. In their opening statements, Hulshof focused on Attorney General Jay Nixon, the presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, but Steelman went right after Hulshof. "I'm a little rough around the edges," she said. "He's a smooth talker." Then she went after her top campaign strategy: focusing on Hulshof's support for Congressional earmarks. "He has supported literally billions of dollars in wasteful spending," she said. That's when Hulshof accused Steelman of distorting his record.[10]
Hulshof hammered home a consistent theme that Steelman, like Nixon, is opposed to tort reform. Steelman's husband, David, is a trial attorney, and she has received many campaign donations from trial attorneys. Steelman, meanwhile, continued to tell voters that she's one of them while Hulshof, who has the support of most GOP elected officials in the state and business groups such as the Missouri Chamber, is controlled by special interests.[2]
Hulshof pointed out that a state audit criticized the Missouri Housing Development Commission low-income housing tax credit program as being "inefficient." Hulshof and Steelman both entered the race for governor in the days after Blunt stunned the political world and announced he wasn't seeking re-election. Both have endorsed many of Blunt's policies. Such support created a tightwire act for the two candidates as they talked about the state of Missouri's economy. Both candidates suggested this would be a "pocketbook" election, with voters upset over rising gas prices and other economic issues, such as the housing crisis. While they acknowledged the difficult economic times, both praised Blunt's work on economic issues, praising him for cutting the budget and producing what they called a positive business environment.[15] Hulshof is in some ways the consummate Republican politician a clean-cut farmer and lawyer with a law enforcement background, a forceful speaker who still comes across as friendly as your next-door neighbor. "Some politicians can be too slick for their own good," said George Conner, a political scientist at Missouri State University. "I've heard them described as 'too suity.' As practiced as Hulshof is, he doesn't come off as too suity." Hulshof finds himself in a tight race for the Republican nomination with state treasurer Sarah Steelman, who has based her campaign on painting Hulshof as a big spender who would import Washington-style problems to Jefferson City. The criticism appears to resonate with some of the Republican faithful and has made this election Hulshof's first close race since he won his seat in Congress in 1996.[16] Fellow senators joked that Steelman was probably the only legislator who supported the idea. That independent streak won Steelman notice and helped her win election as state treasurer in 2004. It also earned her a reputation as an unpredictable and sometimes inconsistent player within the Republican Party. In the Senate, she championed efforts to make government more open to the public. She once derailed a bill designed to protect nursing home residents from abuse because she wanted to give nursing home owners a $52 million increase in Medicaid fees. She supported creation of a state subsidy to help low-income seniors buy prescription drugs. She also pushed to loosen environmental protection laws by consulting with polluters and without talking to environmental groups. Her reputation for being impulsive is highlighted by a halting speaking style better suited for casual talks than formal presentations. Her style of persuasion sometimes takes on a pleading quality that leaves listeners less than impressed. That has resulted in a campaign emphasizing small gatherings, radio debates and televised ads attacking Hulshof as part of the problem in Washington. Such a campaign tends to play to her strengths.[6] Steelman, the state treasurer, has pounded on two themes in recent weeks criticizing Hulshof for supporting wasteful spending earmarks in Congress and calling for a repeal of the state's ethanol mandate. Hulshof countered Wednesday by questioning some of Steelman's own prior actions as a state senator, suggesting she backed anti-consumer utility legislation and effectively killed a nursing home abuse bill in 2000 by insisting on a provision that would have boosted nursing home payments by $133 million. He asserted Steelman was buying into the spin of "multinational big oil companies" who are "trying to lay the energy woes of the nation on ethanol."[11]
"I'm a little rough around the edges," Steelman said as the debate began. "He's a smooth talker, and I'm going to tell it to you straight." Hulshof countered that he had supported $1.6 trillion of tax cuts over the last dozen years, and he asserted that Steelman was twisting the facts. "I'm an unapologetic fiscal deficit hawk," he said. "It's easy to mislead voters, and unfortunately that's all Ms. Steelman has to offer." Asked how as governor they could help lower gas prices, Steelman renewed her call to repeal the state's ethanol mandate, a move which Hulshof contends would actually drive up the price of gasoline.[1] The two candidates also tangled on ethanol and ethics. After initially supporting the Missouri law requiring gasoline to contain 10 percent ethanol, Steelman made her opposition to the ethanol mandate a central part of her campaign. Lately, she has been driving across rural Missouri in a gas-guzzling RV making stops in small towns in Republican voting hotbeds. At every stop, Steelman says, she hears people complaining about high gas prices. Steelman mentioned high gas prices at least four times in the debate, and she says the ethanol mandate is partly responsible for the high prices of gasoline and food. Hulshof said in the debate that he believed the ethanol mandate was actually responsible for Missouri's gas prices being among the lowest in the nation.[15] HARTVILLE (AP) - Rolling in a tour bus though southern Missouri's two-lane back roads, Republican gubernatorial candidate Sarah Steelman is spreading her call for a repeal of the state's ethanol mandate - and getting a double thumbs up from livestock farmers. Frustration over Missouri's mandatory sale of ethanol-blended gasoline frequently provided the most emotional political discussions yesterday as Steelman took her 13-day, 59-town bus tour to places such as Houston, Hartville and Ava - where cattle, not corn, is the agricultural king.[12] Republican gubernatorial candidates Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof came out swinging during a televised debate Wednesday night in Springfield.[17] ST. LOUIS Former prosecutor Kenny Hulshof went on offense Tuesday in his campaign for governor, pressing his case against Republican opponent Sarah Steelman to St. Louis radio listeners. "It's easy to mislead voters, and unfortunately that's all Miss Steelman has to offer," Hulshof said in an hourlong debate on Mark Reardon's show on KMOX radio.[15] Hulshof and his Republican rival for governor, Sarah Steelman, squared off last night in the only televised debate at KY3's studios in Springfield. KSGF show host Vincent David Jericho asked Hulshof how he can reconcile his backing from the Republican Party establishment with voters who are frustrated with GOP leaders.[18]
It's ironic that Sarah Steelman's big gas-guzzling bus/RV was parked outside the KMOX studios, and yet the treasurer made mentioning gas prices a focus of her debate strategy. Steelman mentioned high gas prices during the debate at least four times; and Kenny Hulshof, too, said this election would be settled over "pocketbook issues."[19] U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof has a new ad attacking Sarah Steelman for her opposition as a state senator to laws reforming frivolous lawsuits.[20] Hulshof, a U.S. congressman representing Missouri, and Sarah Steelman, Missouri state treasurer, are the leading contenders in the primary.[21]
That was definitely highly entertaining. I'd say it was definitely a win, albeit a narrow one, for Hulshof, and I say that for no reason other than he differentiated himself between Steelman and Nixon and really hit her hard on her ties to trial lawyers and how she basically funneled money to her husband's company's or business interests as Treasurer. It was particularly how Steelman didn't name one accomplishment she was particularly proud of even though that was the specific question asked of her. I think this showed, without a doubt, that Hulshof is the only one of these two who can actually withstand the scrutiny of a campaign, and look put together doing it. It seemed like Sarah's economic plan would be to do away with federal earmarks, which I don't think a governor of a state has any control over (though Steelman might know something that I don't) and to get rid of ethanol. I think Hulshof finally articulated a good answer on ethanol today too so he won that round as well.[10] "'The Perfect Christmas Tree' -- that sounds nice," Steelman said. When asked again later whether Hulshof would be a good governor, she added: "He's a very good, smooth-talking lawyer." Hulshof -- who took the opportunity to praise Steelman's performance as state treasurer -- attempted to turn her criticisms against her in his closing remarks. "It took about 40 minutes before we were finally able to get something positive out of Ms. Steelman," he said, criticizing negative campaigning as "the road worst-traveled." "You (voters) have told me on the campaign trail that you don't like this negative campaigning," he said. "I've offered a positive vision for this state." Of course, that didn't stop him from firing back at Steelman during the earlier question-and-answer period. Hulshof said many of the earmarks criticized by Steelman had been taken out of context -- the Christmas tree project, he said, related to a workshop for the mentally-challenged, while another Steelman noted as "The Lobster Institute" related to industry research at the University of Maine. "It's easy when you have more than 7,000 votes to take things out of context," he said, later accusing Steelman of hypocrisy over what he said were unnecessary earmarks she supported while in the state legislature. "It's not just Congressmen that focus on earmarks, it's state senators.," he said.[17]
Hulshof supports that program, and his farm in southeastern Missouri has benefited from some federal biodiesel subsidies. Hulshof said the treasurer was being selective in her focus on conflict of interest. He pointed to three specific instances in which Steelman's own ethics have been questioned: Her decision as treasurer to steer some state deposits to a bank where her husband sits on the board. Her votes against tort reform, which could benefit her husband's business.[15] Back then, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce gave Steelman an 86 percent approval rating. During the debate, Hulshof defended his support of the state subsidy for ethanol.[22] Hulshof supports it saying it is good for Missouri farmers and helps keep the price of gasoline down. Steelman says the free market should decide whether ethanol is embraced, adding it is wrong for the government to force this mandate.[14] "I would have done things differently." When asked why neither candidate has presented a plan for health-care reform, Hulshof said he thinks other issues -- such as gas prices -- are more important to most Missourians, and "putting everyone back on the government rolls isn't the solution." Steelman said she'd like to explore more public-private partnerships and "market-driven solutions" to health-care access. When asked about a campaign donation she received from a company that supports embryonic stem cell research, Steelman reiterated her opposition to such research. "I am pro-life, I've always been pro-life and I have not changed my position on that," she said. Although the donation was later returned, Hulshof said he was troubled that Steelman initially failed to report it to the Missouri Ethics Commission.[17]
Hulshof said getting rid of the mandate would make the country more reliant on foreign oil and thus would increase gas prices. The real challenge for both candidates is how they address pocketbook issues during a tough time in the Missouri economy. Both embrace the economic policies of Blunt and claim that they are responsible for Missouri's business environment. They both also recognize the reality of the current difficult economic situation. Missouri unemployment is up; jobs are being lost; gas and food prices are high; people are losing their homes. It's a tough line for the Republicans to walk, and during the debate they tried to walk it by suggesting that more of Blunt's policies will grow the economy.[19] The debate also featured discussion of transportation issues with the candidates offering proposals for improving Missouri's roads now and in the future. While the sparring went back and forth, the biggest philosophical differences between the two Republicans - at least in this debate - seemed to center on the state's ethanol mandate.[14]
"Ethanol is not going to last. It's just too bad that a lot of people like us are going to be out and are never going to be back" in business. In Houston, Mo., a series of people at Steelman's campaign event complained that the ethanol mandate was contributing to rising food costs and lower gas mileage for vehicles, and was hurting their lawnmowers and chain saws. In Ava, Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wade, who had never met Steelman, hosted her campaign event in his backyard, passing out ice-cooled bottled water to counteract the sweltering afternoon heat. Why was he backing Steelman? "Ethanol. It's terrible for this area," Wade replied. It is unclear whether an ethanol backlash in Republican-heavy southern Missouri can help fuel a resurgence by Steelman, who was slightly trailing Hulshof in a recent statewide poll conducted for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and television station KMOV.[12] Steelman opposes the mandate that requires ethanol be blended with gasoline sold in Missouri, contending the mandate increases the costs of food and violates the principle of the free market. Hulshof, who grows corn on his farm in southeast Missouri, supports the mandate as a way of encouraging the use of alternative fuels.[5]
The mandate, part of a law pushed by Gov. Matt Blunt and passed into law in 2007, requires gasoline in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol if the price is equal to or less than gasoline. Steelman blames the mandate (which she used to support) for high food prices and says the market should decide.[19] Republican Gov. Matt Blunt is not seeking re-election. Hulshof, who raises corn and soybeans on his family's Bootheel farm, has been a staunch defender of a Missouri law that took effect in January requiring gas stations to sell a 10 percent ethanol blend whenever its price is no more than traditional gasoline. He contends it helps hold down the price of gas and reduces the nation's dependency on foreign oil.[12] At the time, the House sponsor of the bill blamed Steelman for attaching an expensive amendment to the bill that would have benefited nursing home owners. Steelman and Hulshof are vying to succeed incumbent Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican who surprised everyone with an announcement in January that he was not seeking re-election.[5] Nixon also proposed to make government-run health care available to children from middle-class families. Both Steelman and Hulshof said they backed Gov. Matt Blunt's decision and rationale for the Medicaid cuts that they were necessary to balance a budget growing beyond the state's means. They dismissed Nixon's assertion that his health care plan could be accomplished without raising taxes. Steelman and Hulshof entered the governor's race only after Blunt announced in January that he would not seek re-election.[1] On the Democratic ballot, Jay Nixon is the clear front-runner. Hulshof, of Columbia, and Steelman, of Rolla, both came on the scene relatively late in the game following Matt Blunt's unexpected announcement on Jan. 22 that he would not seek a second term.[21] Steelman clearly won this debate. Hulshof was Jay Nixon's footstool and the there is no difference between the two of them.[10]
Throughout the campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, Steelman has accused Hulshof of partly causing the federal budget deficit by voting for earmarks in Congress. Hulshof said Steelman was taking his votes out of context and was being inconsistent. He said her attempt to appropriate $133 million for nursing homes was "a huge hit to the budget." "She often bragged about bringing home the pork," Hulshof added during a one-hour debate broadcast last night on KYTV in Springfield. Steelman said she was trying to improve the quality of care in nursing homes. "The $133 million was to go to pay for the workers who work in the nursing homes," she said.[5] Throughout the campaign, Steelman has criticized Hulshof for being part of the free-spending Congress. "It's an I'll-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine mentality I don't want to see come to Missouri," Steelman said. "I can show you about 14 votes where I saved about $16 billion in this same period," Hulshof said.[22]
I'm simply pointing out the record. It's not an attack on your character. It's not misleading." The two candidates agree on social policy issues such as opposing abortion rights, embryonic stem cell research and gay marriage. Hulshof said Steelman and Nixon are alike in that they are supported by Missouri trial lawyers because of their positions on medical malpractice cases and damage claims against businesses. Hulshof has favored limits on damage awards because he said "abusive lawsuits drive up the costs of business and make it difficult for doctors to practice medicine."[5] Steelman is married to David Steelman, a prominent Republican trial lawyer. The Steelman's have loaned her campaign $500,000 and she has received campaign donations from trail lawyers, an interest group that gives to candidates from both parties, but mostly Democrats. As a state senator, she filibustered against a Republican-backed bill in 2003 placing new limits on the amount money people could get under personal injury lawsuits.[20] Fellow senators joked that Steelman was probably the only legislator who supported the idea. It also earned her a reputation as an unpredictable and sometimes inconsistent player within the Republican Party. She once derailed a bill designed to protect nursing home residents from abuse because she wanted to give nursing home owners a $52 million increase in Medicaid fees. She also pushed to loosen environmental protection laws by consulting with polluters and without talking to environmental groups. Her style of persuasion sometimes takes on a pleading quality that leaves listeners less than impressed. Such a campaign tends to play to her strengths.[6] Steelman's bus tour is part of a targeted campaign. She's stopping in each of the 47 counties with the largest number of likely Republican voters, based on previous elections, said her campaign consultant Jeff Roe. Two days before each visit, Steelman is ringing each of those potential voters' homes with an automated telephone call inviting them to come to met her. At each event, her campaign aides are distributing Steelman postcards for attendees to mail to others.[12] In the 2004 gubernatorial election, for example, Springfield's home of Greene County provided more than one-third of Blunt's winning vote margin over Democrat Claire McCaskill. Each Republican candidate claimed the conservative mantle, and each cited the other's campaign contributions while questioning his or her resolve against embryonic stem cell research.[11]
It's rare to walk into a coffee shop or even a 7-Eleven without overhearing chatter about "Obama" or "What's next for Hillary?" But, Missourians shouldn't be so quick to jump into the presidential election. They still have to cast their votes in the state's Aug. 5 primary election, which determines the political party candidates for governor, attorney general, state treasurer and many other local positions.[4] Hulshof, 50, grew up on a farm in Mississippi County, not far from the Kentucky state line. After working as a public defender in southeast Missouri, he spent three years as a prosecutor in Cape Girardeau. In 1989, he joined the Missouri attorney general's office as a special prosecutor. Hulshof then moved to Columbia, where he lives with his wife, Renee, and two daughters.[16] With a voice and a style honed by a dozen years in the courtroom and another dozen in Congress, Kenny Hulshof knows how to connect with a Republican audience. "I've heard them described as 'too suity.' As practiced as Hulshof is, he doesn't come off as too suity." After working as a public defender in southeast Missouri, he spent three years as a prosecutor in Cape Girardeau. In 1989, he joined the Missouri attorney general's office as a special prosecutor. Hulshof then moved to Columbia, where he lives with his wife, Renee, and two daughters.[16]
Rep. Hulshof served as a Special Prosecutor for the Missouri Attorney General's office from 1989 to 1996. From there, he went on to serve in Washington. Once he became a Congressman, Rep. Hulshof co-authored legislation that would expand Education Savings Accounts that was eventually signed into law by President Bush. He also authored the Farm and Ranch Risk Management legislation that establishes tax deferred accounts to farmers deemed with at-risk properties. Rep. Hulshof is concerned about many issues, but some, like health care, the economy, immigration, education and taxes are his key focus.[9]
We think that's a key issue, particularly for Missouri's working poor, and that it will likely play a large role in the campaign for the general election. In this race, we believe Hulshof is the choice.[21]
I think Steelman has effective rhetoric for a general election, but she's going to lose to Hulshof in the primary because, for all their rhetoric, most rank-and-file Republicans actually like Washington insiders telling them what to think. That's why the right wing blogosphere has been such a complete failure.[19] In the Republican Party, immigration remains a hot-button issue. This year, Blunt led a fight to increase penalties against employers who hire illegal immigrants, along with several other initiatives that affected the immigrant population. Steelman and Hulshof are sticking close to this position. Nixon has taken a moderate approach; however, he does support Blunt's instruction to the Highway Patrol to check residency or immigration status of those arrested or jailed.[4] Hulshof, in turn, criticized Steelman for opposing tort reform and for flip-flopping on the ethanol issue. "Ms. Steelman was for ethanol before she was against it," he said. In the debate co-sponsored by the News-Leader, KYTV and KSMU,Hulshof defended his support for ethanol subsidies when asked whether he had a conflict of interest -- Hulshof grows corn on his family farm and has accepted donations from the ethanol industry.[17] Two issues discussed were Hulshof's record in Congress and Steelman's opposition to state support for ethanol.[22]
Steelman replied: "I don't buy into Big Oil. I buy into the free market system in this country that has always worked." She thanked Hulshof for raising the nursing home issue, saying her actions were "intended to make sure we were providing quality care to our nursing home residents in this state."[11]
On concentrated animal feeding operations, Hulshof departs from Gov. Blunt's philosophy. Blunt once told the editorial board that he believed CAFOs should operate under state guidelines. Hulshof said he is a local-control guy and felt that county commissions, even those in counties without planning and zoning, need to be able to impose local controls in the permitting process of factory farms. Steelman seemed caught offguard by the question, but said she would be in favor of a plan fair to both sides. Steelman, when asked what she would do about increasing money for higher ed, mentioned making it easier for parents to save money. That makes us wonder about her commitment to state funding of higher ed. Meanwhile, Hulshof said that the state should be obligated to increase funding, because the state imposed tuition caps on universities.[21] Hulshof, too, praised Blunt's work turning state deficits into a budget surplus. "He rolled up his sleeves with a lot of state legislators and made some changes," Hulshof said, taking a jab at Steelman for opposing tort reform. He said Blunt's greatest mistake was his handling of Medicaid cuts.[17] Blunt's approval rating never exceeded 50 percent after the cuts. Both Steelman and Hulshof defend Blunt's action, saying that government should not play a significant role in providing health care.[4]
"The fact of the matter is, negative campaigning is in the eye of the beholder," Steelman said. "It's not an attack on your character. It's not misrepresenting you it seems to me you should be able to justify those to the taxpayers." Although Steelman has taken to referring to herself in the closing leg of the campaign as "rough around the edges," she was well prepared for the debate and more than matched Hulshof. During the two times when the candidates were allowed to ask each other questions, Steelman hit on timely topics illegal immigration and government spending and rebuffed Hulshof's attempts to paint her as a negative campaigner.[2] In 2006, the political group The Citizens Against Government Waste gave Hulshof a 27 percent approval rating for that year. His lifetime record with that group is 69 percent. Steelman has not voted on tax bills since she was a state senator in 2004.[22] A rift has started to develop in Missouri's agricultural community between the row-crop farmers who dominate northern Missouri and the Bootheel and the livestock ranchers who are most common in the southern part of the state. Wright County farmer David Pitts, 77, brought a color photograph of his family's hog farm to show Steelman as she stumped at LJD's diner in Hartville. Pitts largely blames ethanol for a doubling in the price of his corn-based feed during the past couple of years. He now is losing $31 per pig, so Pitts is liquidating his livestock, slowly closing down his business.[12] Steelman, however, said the state's ethanol mandate hurts consumers by driving up prices on food, as well as fuel. "I buy into the free market system," she said. "A government mandate to tell people what they have to buy hurts competition."[17] "So the outsider theme is a good one. She can say, 'Government is a mess, just as you thought all along, and I'm the one trying to do something about it.'" She won with 58 percent of the vote by arguing that her opponent had lost touch with the district and had become part of the problem with government. She pushed for improvements in the state Sunshine law and stronger ethical standards while opposing tax subsidies she called corporate welfare. After being elected state treasurer in 2004, Steelman angered farmers in the legislature when she adopted a conflict of interest policy that prevented legislators from personally benefiting from the tax credits approved for ethanol plants.[6] In person, the barbs between the state treasurer and U.S. representative were just as fierce. Steelman slammed her rival early and often over his support for ethanol subsidies and "wasteful spending" in Washington.[17]
The reforms were eventually passed in 2005 after Steelman left the Senate to become state treasurer. During Wednesday's debate, Steelman defended her record, saying she sponsored one form of tort reform while in the Senate. That bill, Senate Bill 727 of 2004, would have capped non-economic damages at $350,000 in some medical malpractice cases.[20]
Ethanol also figured into an exchange between the two GOP candidates on ethics. Both have made ethics reform a key element of their campaigns. Steelman pointed to her policy that stopped ethanol companies from tapping a state subsidy program because one of the investors was Andy Blunt, the brother of Gov. Matt Blunt.[15] "There's an old saying about glass houses and stones." When asked what she thought was Gov. Matt Blunt's greatest mistake in office, as well as his greatest accomplishment, Steelman said his greatest error was "maybe his approach to governing." She said she would seek a more cooperative approach as governor, but praised Blunt's efforts to create a better "business climate" in the state and reign in the state budget.[17]
When incumbent Governor Matt Blunt announced this spring that he wasn't running for re-election, it immediately became apparent to Missouri voters that a new general would be in charge come next year's Legislative season.[9] Blunt, a Republican from Springfield, Mo., will serve just one term. Come November, Missouri voters will decide who will take over the challenges that face a state considered by many political analysts, as a key swing state, especially as it relates to national elections like this fall's General Election for President.[9]
Published July 22, 2008 11:05 pm - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri's Republican gubernatorial candidates defended past cuts to the state Medicaid program Tuesday while trying to distinguish themselves as the most ethical and frugal candidates in the race.[1] The urban-rural gap in Missouri, as well as Kansas, has widened considerably. The, primarily rural, representatives in Jefferson City and Topeka are obsessed with social issues to the detriment of urban areas such as KC. Gubernatorial candidates emphasize their rural roots.[7]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The only televised debate between Missouri's Republican candidates for governor got a little testy Wednesday night.[22] With a voice and a style honed by a dozen years in the courtroom and another dozen in Congress, Kenny Hulshof knows how to connect with a Republican audience. At a recent gathering, the crowd cheered when Hulshof declared that he was seeking the Republican nomination for governor as "an unapologetic conservative" representing Missouri's mainstream values.[16] Published July 25, 2008 10:43 am - Kenny Hulshof's plans to put more teeth into CAFO laws if he is elected, his long-range energy plan, his thoughts on higher-education funding and his grip on Missouri's problems make him the best choice in the Aug. 5 Republican primary.[21]
Less than 11 hours after Wednesday's televised debate, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof was on KSGF this morning wooing conservative voters.[18]
As it relates to the economy and business, Rep. Hulshof is a fan of the small business. "As governor, I will conduct a comprehensive review of the state's tax credit system and take correct actions whenever necessary to ensure that tax dollars are being used for their intended purposes.[9] Hulshof, who farms corn, is in favor of the state's ethanol mandate, which requires gasoline sold in Missouri to contain some ethanol.[2] Steelman believes that lifting the 10 percent ethanol mandate would help relieve food prices and prices of feed being paid by livestock farmers.[21] "Instead of looking to the Mideast for our energy needs, why aren't we looking to the Midwest?" Hulshof said. "This is a government mandate -- it's telling consumers what they have to do. That's not right. It causes prices to go up," Steelman said.[22]
Well done by boh parties, I would say it was 50-50, thats bad news for the great orator Hulshof. Sarah Steelman stood toe to toe with him.[10] To Sarah Steelman, there's nothing contradictory about being a conservative rebel within the Republican Party.[6]
That is a good question that I will try to clarify for you. First off, it is my understanding that Sarah led the filibuster of a pension bill that would have put more money directly into her husbands(former legislator) own pocket. That is what I call leadership. While Kenny is voting for subsidies into his own pocket, Sarah is fighting the good fight and trying to stop abusive power in government. Of course legislator pensions have their own special provisions. The vesting period is 6 years, and their benefits are better than state employees, AND THEY ARE PART TIME! Who ever heard of a vesting period of 6 years on a pension plan for a part time employee? That is why all the establishment republicans are on Kenny's side, they want as much tax-payer dollars as they can get, while Sarah wants it to be used responsibly.[10] Informational question: Sarah wanted to eliminate legislator pensions? Please help me out on that. I suspect they are claffified as state employees and have the same system as other employees, without special provisions, which places all state employees under the same rules based on salary and length of service, but I need more facts. She mentioned this last night and during her provided info to Kim Stroessel of WSJ for piece strongly slanted to Sarah recently in which Storessel described these pensions as 'comfy pensions'.[10]
Attorney General Jay Nixon takes questions online at 2 p.m. today, a blogger stews over airline security, and the debate continues over who won the latest Steelman-Hulshof debate. Gone Mild might be irritated by airline security, but he's not brave enough to join the thousands that have logged a complaint with the Transportation Security Administration. [3] The winner will face Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon in the campaign for governor.[22] The candidates, both vying for the spot on the November ballot opposite Attorney General Jay Nixon, have sparred for weeks with television attack ads.[17] The winner is expected to face Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon in the November general election.[12]
David Steelman is a trial attorney. Her votes on the Missouri Housing Development Commission board in which projects have gone to developers who also contribute to her campaign. [15] The two also tangled over Steelman's perceived negative campaigning. In a testy exchange, Hulshof asked Steelman to name one positive item in his congressional record. She declined and defended her campaign.[2] "Ms. Steelman's campaign operatives believe that negative campaigning works," Hulshof said, calling it "the road worst traveled" and "the politics of personal destruction."[5] Campaign finance reports released last week show Hulshof raised five times as much money as Steelman during the three-month period from April through June.[12]
Hulshof also said Steelman would be a better governor than Nixon. It was only after that remark that Steelman said Hulshof would be better than Nixon.[5] In addition to answering questions from a panel of local reporters, the candidates had a chance to pose several questions to each other. After a lengthy critique of his record by Steelman, Hulshof asked Steelman to list one thing from his record that was good.[17] I admire that." In response to the same question, Hulshof said Steelman had done a good job of running the treasurer's office and that she had improved upon a program that helps people save for college for their children and grandchildren.[5]
I think Kenny did a wonderful job. Since he expected to perform so much better than Steelman they are calling it a draw. I think Kenny gotto the point and Steelman danced around her answers. I can't believe that Kenny could be so gracious to someone who has downed his political record and personal record just to gain votes. Go KennyI hope they see through your opponent and vote for the best candidate.[10] While a state senator, Steelman voted against a key piece of tort reform legislation. Steelman said it was precisely that ability to take stands against party leaders that made her the better candidate. "I've been able to stand up to the establishment, and I think that's what people are looking for," she said.[15]
Nixon promotes the "Missouri Promise" plan, which would expand the state's A-plus program to increase scholarships for students from families of $80,000 and less. None of the candidates have offered specific plans regarding K-12 public education but they have made vague statements about improving the quality of education in the state.[4] "Nixon is going to try to distinguish himself against the Republican candidates," Puro said. He also said that, as a gubernatorial candidate, Nixon would emphasize supporting traditional public education through greater investment, while the main two Republican candidates would focus on vouchers, which opens up opportunities at private schools for those in poorly performing urban districts. This approach would appeal to sociallyconservative voters, particularly in southwest Missouri and the St. Louis metropolitan area, Puro said.[4] The other two Republican candidates are Scott Long, a teacher from southern Missouri, and Jennie Lee Schwartze Sievers, who has been a candidate in the past two gubernatorial elections.[4]
The two Republican candidates for Governor square off in their final debate prior to the August 5th primary election.[14] The televised debate, coming less than two weeks before the Aug. 5 primary election, provided some of the most testy exchanges so far in a campaign in which Steelman generally has been on the offensive.[11]
High fuel prices are raising the cost of food more than ethanol subsidies. During the debate, Steelman was asked to say something nice about her rival. "I will say he is a smooth-talking lawyer. That's a talent I don't have," Steelman said.[22] Steelman countered that the free market should decide and that the state should stop subsidizing ethanol.[2]
Hulshof also has the support of Sen. Kit Bond, the rest of the state's Republican congressional delegation, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and the state's main business and industry associations. [12] On Missouri issues, Hulshof has largely embraced the conservative agenda pushed by current Republican Gov. Matt Blunt.[16] "When it comes to investing in a healthy Missouri, Matt Blunt is clearly taking us in the wrong direction," Nixon said.[4]
In 2005, Gov. Matt Blunt made cuts in the state's Medicaid program that ended medical coverage for more than 90,000 people. Under Blunt's plan, a woman with two children does not qualify for Medicaid if she earns more than about $350 a month.[4] Hulshof advocates imposing even stricter limits on personal injury lawsuits. He defends the 2005 cuts in Medicaid eligibility that saved the state more than $300 million a year, but eliminated health coverage for more than 90,000 people and reduced services for 400,000 others.[16] Hulshof advocates imposing even stricter limits on personal injury lawsuits. He defends the 2005 cuts in Medicaid eligibility that saved the state more than $300 million a year, but eliminated health coverage for more than 90,000 people and reduced services for 400,000 others. Supporters say it stems from his tendency to be a policy wonk.[16]
Two years later, Hulshof was back, but faced a stiff primary challenge from a doctor who spent more than $800,000 on the race.[16] The university has pushed the use of human embryos for stem cell research. Hulshof opposes this practice because it requires destroying a human embryo, which he considers destroying a human life. Hulshof said his stance against embryonic stem cell research may have contributed to him not getting the $500,000-plus a year job. 'I told them, here's my position, it's a different position,' Hulshof said. 'That was problematic for me, but you know what, it doesn't matter because you hold fast to what you believe in."[18]
Hulshof said conservative Republicans need to "reclaim our birth right" as the party of low taxes and small government influence. Hulshof, R-Columbia, talked about how he got turned down for the president's job at University of Missouri-Columbia last year.[18]
Hulshof won the primary by just 168 votes and went on to defeat Volkmer by running ads claiming that Americans were overtaxed. Hulshof's voting record in Congress places him firmly in the conservative camp. Only his votes on foreign affairs have become more moderate in recent years.[16]
Hulshof supported the Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative, which raised $335 million for the state's higher education institutions.[4] When discussing problems facing the state, Hulshof recognizes every nuance and potential consequence. He talks about the need to build consensus. He often avoids making commitments.[16]
In a single sentence, Hulshof captured the traditional value of self-reliance, appealed to religious conservatives and expressed compassion for the less fortunate. It's an example of Hulshof's talent for fitting in, whether he's knocking mud off his boots on his farm in southeast Missouri, chatting up corporate executives in Kansas City or playing drums in a country-rock band called the Second Amendments.[16] Rep. Hulshof represents the Missouri Ninth Congressional District. A native of Bertrand, Mo., Rep. Hulshof has a background both in Missouri politics and at the national level.[9] Hulshof supports changes made to Missouri law that limit damages in civil suits.[15] While other states are moving forward with creative initiatives to support small business development and spur entrepreneurship, Missouri currently has no game plan.[9] Missouri has an unemployment rate of 6 percent, and the state lost 15,000 jobs last fall. Although candidates have debated stimulating the state's economy by increasing personal tax deductions and doing away with the 1 percent earnings, they all seem to realize that it's a national issue and one they have little control over.[4] Seven candidates will vie for the state's top leadership job in the primary election.[9] "None of the gubernatorial candidates have shown a way to revive the state's economy," Puro said. "That will come out after the primary."[4]
Steelman talking ethics and morals cracks me up. I hope people really listen to her and come to the conclusion she is not the best candidate for governor. [19] Might be a tough sell with voters. One other note on gas prices: Steelman is continuing her call for an oil refinery to be based in Missouri. Whether the governor can have much effect on that happening is questionable; but it's a position unique to her.[19] Woody Cozad, a former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, said Steelman's theme appeals to the Republican faithful.[6]
The ad features Steelman's response to a tort reform question during Wednesday's debate in Springfield on KY3.[20] Steelman brings nothing. When the question arises, she reacts with shrugs, defensive quips and a vague plan to "work with local government officials to figure out a different revenue source."[7] "So the outsider theme is a good one. She can say, 'Government is a mess, just as you thought all along, and I'm the one trying to do something about it.'" Steelman, 50, says her independent streak stems from her upbringing in the political hotbed of Jefferson City.[6]
Steelman pledged: "One of the first things I would do as governor is repeal the mandate."[12] I can't recall the last time either state elected a governor from the big cities.[7] I am so glad someone mentioned the RV.we all know it probably gets 8 miles per gallon. She has the nerve to bring upgas prices! IF (and that is a BIG IF) if she wins theprimary how much money will she spend on gas puttering around the state til November. If she was really concerned about gas prices,she would drive an economical car. I know MISSOURI people are not stupid to recognize this fact.[19] Missouri, for instance, now has 197 House and Senate seats, the seventh largest Legislature in the nation, larger than California and Florida. These people have nothing better to do with their time except waste time and money on pet projects. The new state might have just five and they would be busy all the time. I know, it's only a pipe dream.[7]
Build 3: 62 ms (Article).Build 9: 156 ms (Content).Completed macro pluck_InitializeArticles.Build 0: 16 ms (Misc).Build 3: 3047 ms (Article).Parsing macro seo.Build 0: 0 ms (Misc).Completed macro seo.Parsing macro pd_search.Completed macro pd_search.Parsing macro loginbox-branding.Build 9: 16 ms (Content).Completed macro loginbox-branding.Build 3: 63 ms (Article).Parsing macro footer.Parsing macro sitecatalyst. [17] "The multinational big oil companies laid the energy woes of the nation on ethanol," Hulshof said.[2] In regards to health care, Rep. Hulshof says, "We need to make health care accessible and affordable for all Missourians.[9]
SOURCES
1. The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - Missouri: Republican gubernatorial candidates defend Medicaid cuts
2. STLtoday - Mo. GOP candidates square off in debate
3. Friday: Around the political blogosphere | KansasCity.com Prime Buzz
4. Aug. 5 primary to set up race for state'''s top job - West End Word
5. GOP race shifts to negative
6. www.kansascity.com | 07/24/2008 | Sarah Steelman: Rebel with an independent streak
7. Paging Missouris governor candidates | Midwest Voices
8. Political Fix » Blog Archive » Hulshof, Nixon and Steelman: head-to-head-to-head
9. KC Call
10. Political Fix » Blog Archive » DEBATE: Steelman strategy forces Hulshof to offense
11. The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - Missouri: Republican gubernatorial debate gets testy
12. Steelman aims for votes from ethanol-weary livestock farmers
13. KTTS 94.7 FM, Country's Best | Springfield, MO | KTTS.com > News > Story Detail
14. Missourinet: GOP gubernatorial candidates square off in final scheduled debate
15. STLtoday - GOP hopefuls square off in St. Louis
16. www.kansascity.com | 07/24/2008 | Kenny Hulshof: A talent for fitting in his values
17. GOP gubernatorial hopefuls clash over ethanol, earmarks | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader
18. News-Leader.com | Springfield Blogs - Inside Missouri Politics | Springfield News-Leader
19. Political Fix » Blog Archive » DEBATE: What will they do about gas prices?
20. News-Leader.com | Springfield Blogs - Inside Missouri Politics | Springfield News-Leader
21. The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - In Our View: Hulshof clear choice
22. GOP Race For Mo. Governor Heats Up - Politics News Story - KMBC Kansas City
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