Yawn.

I agree with one thing–the right wing has hijacked the Missouri republican party much like the situation in Kansas. It’s driving Independents and moderate Republicans to voting for democrats.

Robb this is nothing more than a guy who either feels he has a bette chance winning the Dem primary than the GOP one, or he flip flops according to the poll numbers which, last time I checked, has a pretty lousy track record for getting you elected. Either way, it’s a yawner…

I’ve known Chris Benjamin for years … he’s no democrat. The fact that it’s a democrat-leaning district speaks volumes.

The winner here is Koster because it makes his switch seem like one more of conviction than opportunism. I believe his sitch is politically motivated but I think this helps Koster and hurts Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly.

My question for the regulars is do you think Chris Benjamin can beat Pearce?

If Chris is wise in using the contacts he’s made while working with leadership, he could raise the money.

But if Pearce is smart about it, he can dry up the lobbyist support that Benjamin would have otherwise received.

Chris Benjamin a state senator? Come on! This guy is an arrogant, incompetent punk that has no base since he burned his bridges with the Republicans he worked for, including Jason Crowell and Rod Jetton. Who’s his friend now, party switching Chris Koster? With friends like that, who needs enemies?!?!?!

He has no chance. Most of the democrats in the district are endorsing other candidates beside Koster. The party is so fractured Benjamin can’t even count on democratic support especially now that he is cozying up with Koster.

Benjamin might as well run as Kermit the Frog because his role will be as puppet for the Senate Republican Leadership. He has the political ties, the fundraising capabilities, he is young, an attorney and he can take away everything Pearce has going for him. This tells me the Republicans are a bit scared that either Pearce can’t win as an R or that they are afraid he will be an uncontrollable maverick.

Benjamin will then take his seat in the senate. The democrats will probably accept him about as well as Chuck Graham accepts sobriety. He will vote Dems on some innocuous issues but most of the time side with Republicans. Then the republicans can tout their broad, across the aisle support.

Call it political opportunism, call it underhanded if you want but the bottom line is it is a brilliant move and it has a good chance of actually working.

Rockslide’s post is highly inaccurate in many ways.

First, Benjamin hates all things Roe. Benjamin used to be a part of the Roe machine but finally figured out what a piece work Roe is and separated himself. Pearce is locked in with Roe. Roe supported Ron Richard and Benjamin was totally dismayed when Richard won. The anti-Roe factor has more to do with Benjamin’s decision than anything else.

Second, Benjamin would not be a pawn of Senate leadership. Shield’s and others alliance with Roe will pretty much insure Benjamin doesn’t fall in lockstep with Senate leadership. If he were to be elected, Koster’s assistance in raising money will help him and no viable democrat is stepping up in the district is helpful, his “beliefs” are far more aligned with those of the House than the Senate. It is more likely that Crowell will have more influence, party switch not withstanding, than Senate Leadership except for maybe Goodman.

Third, democrats are running scared. They and their “kermit the frogs” try to conjure up a Republican party scism that doesn’t exist. This may in the long run hurt Benjamin running as a democrat.

Jim the R you are so full of crap! You bloviate here day after day claiming to know everyone from Tom Eagleton to Chris Benjamin. How is it you came to these folks? Did Eagleton mention you in the letter read at his funeral?

Have the guts to tell us your real name and how or if you really know all these people instead of ceaseless name-dropping and mindless banter that nobody believes anyway.

Based on past postings and his linkage in the past to a certain website attached to his name (he doesn’t do that anymore), Jim (the Republican) is the nom de plume being used by a former state representative who was defeated several years ago. His statements that he “knows” these people are accurate, at least from the point that he has probably met them.

“Knowing” them as in a true personal sense is in all likelyhood stretching it for several of names he drops.

Jimmie,

If he knows them then what is his real name? If he was a representative, where is he from?

Does anyone know this clown??

Come on guys. We know a few things about political circles.
Fundraisers, mailings, ward meetings, precinct captains, VFW halls.
Jim (R) is the guy with the plastic cup filled with cheap bar scotch who nudges his way into a conversation at a cocktail party and discusses things he knows absolutely nothing about and occassionally nods his head and laughs as others relocate to other tables when they see him coming because he shook hands with a sober Kit Bond back in 1972 when he promised to help with yard signs but ended up sitting in the parking lot at Wendy’s eating a double burger and 2 hours later returns to the campaign headquarters to say he ran out of staples as he lifts his belt buckle slightly above his pelvis and asks who’s that pretty girl over there by the copier….(run on sentence intended to represents R’s obnoxious annoyance).

Brent, no … Sen. Eagleton would have had no reason to have mentioned me, but thanks for thinking about me.

I know many in Jefferson City and Washington, and if you don’t care to believe me, that’s fine.

I’ve stated here before that I worked as a staffer in JC many years ago, making St. Charles County my home after I left. No, I’m no former rep.

However, you can speculate all you want as to whether or not I know certain people, I don’t really care.

Garrison, I don’t drink scotch — cheap or not.

For YOU to suggest that someone talks about things about which they know nothing is rather amusing, though!

And I never claimed to KNOW Sen. Eagleton … I mentioned that we had been at a dinner together and I had the chance to converse with him.

I find it difficult for either of you to suggest that I stretched that issue a bit.

I know since I serve in the MO House. Chris is a hard worker and has served our State well for the past five years. He could have taken a much higher paying job as an attorney, but instead stayed with the Republican majority serving with honor. I am sad to see him switch parties, however, I think the names that people are calling hime here are of no merit.

Had to remove a comment by “A Real Republican,” on orders of an editor, because of foul language. One can criticize without being crude.

It surprises no one that those “real republicans” are mad as hell. Afterall, their standard bearer, is liked by about one in every 3 people. But it is sad that the religious wingnuts have resorted to profanity, foul language and the such. Wow! Give me a “rino” anyday…lol