You can not get a better endorsement then this one. A former U.S. Attorney; the chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, a judge. These people clearly understand the qualities needed in a great Attorney General.

Harris and Donnelly can continue make music videos and run a negative campaign while Koster raises money and collects endorsements from the core of the Democratic Party, i.e. Police, Firefighters, Sheriffs, Organized Labor.

Koster is a welcome addition to the Democratic Party and will make an excellent Attorney General.

Let us not forget that Koster is a Republican RUNNING as a Democrat.

I sincerely hope that “Jack” isn’t going to try to tell us that Koster is somehow inevitble. The Dowd’s are a fine family, but they’re hardly the “core” of the Democratic Party. And neither are the cops, who as I recall endorsed Matt Blunt in 2004. And last I checked, Koster didn’t snag the two biggest and bestest labor unions in the state (SEIU and AFSCME).

And anyone who has actually walked in Democratic circles in recent months can tell that the party faithful may smile at Koster’s face, but they’re all talking about him behind his back … and what they’re saying isn’t terribly complimentary.

Conan O’Brien is running…I did not know that! …Wow!

First, I would like to complement Bill. That was really very funny.

Second, “Shecky”, it always seems that when Koster gets an endorsement (and endorsement and endorsement and another endorsement), the Harris/Donnelly backers talk about how endorsements don’t matter (I assume because they do not have as many), how the leadership of the organization has been fooled and how the members of the organizations will not support the endorsement.

Not until now have you actually taken shots at individual organizations - implying that they are not “real democrats”. Pretty funny.

I read a lot of these stories and have NEVER seen Koster or his supporters make the negative attacks that the Harris/Donnelly team make day in and day out. Attack, attack, attack, while Koster continues to get support from people like the Dowds’ and organized labor.

Question, why have all these democratic organizations choosen to support Koster over both Harris and Donnelly? Why have families like the Dowds’ chosen to support Koster over both members of the Harris/Donnelly team?

I will provide you the answer because I am nice that way.

1. Koster has more experiece then both H/D,

2. Koster has more statewide support then both H/D.

3. Koster has and will continue to raise more money then H/D.

1+2+3= KOSTER CAN WIN

Hmmmm.. Maybe you and your freinds should stop talking behind other peoples backs.

Jack, I didn’t take a shot at anyone but you. I was simply correcting your wrongful perception that the police officers are part of the Democratic “core.” You were wrong. There’s nothing wrong with cops. I like them and respect what they do. But their history of endorsements is anything but partisan for Democrats.

I said, the Dowds are a fine family, but they’re not representative of the core of the Democratic Party. That’s not a slam on them, but compare their profile to the average Democrat (never mind the average Missourian) and it doesn’t line up. They like to play “kingmaker” and they probably don’t like Donnelly for some reason, since she would seem to be their more natural candidate.

As for people talking behind Koster’s back, I was simply telling it like it is. You don’t have to like reality to accept it.

As for your arguments for Koster, they simply don’t hold water. Harris and Donnelly both have outstanding experience for Attorney General, and unlike Koster, Harris did work for a Democratic Attorney General. And unlike Koster, both Harris and Donnelly has been outstanding champions on Democratic issues in the House. Unless you’re foolish enough to believe that the Attorney General is a prosecutor would you suggest Koster has more experience.

In fact, Koster’s experience as a Republican leader (voting for voter ID, voting for Blunt’s health care cuts, etc.) undercuts the very argument you’re trying to make. You can’t have it both ways — claim Koster’s record and deny his record all at once. If you want to talk about Koster’s “experience”, then let’s talk about his experience — all of it.

Statewide support? I haven’t seen a poll, have you? I have seen some fundraising analysis on another blog and based on that it clearly looks like Harris has the broadest support, pulling more money from more parts of the state. Donnelly’s doing well in St. Louis and not much elsewhere, and Koster’s getting a lot of money from a handful of people in the city’s — funneled through committees. So the only indicator I’ve seen (other than from talking to real people) suggests Harris has the broadest support. But again, without a poll, who knows who’s got the most support.

What I do know from talking to a lot of Democrats pretty regularly is that they’re all skeptical as hell about Koster. Like I said, they’ll shake his hand, but they’re talking about him behind his back. Had he run for re-election to the state senate, they’d have adored him. But as their candidate for Attorney General? Sorry, Chris, you just haven’t earned it yet. Again, I’m not saying this to attack Koster, but rather to tell you the facts. Deny it, cover your ears, whatever. It’s the reality.

And the money issue is pretty silly. Of course Koster can raise more money. He doesn’t care about campaign finance law or pretty much any principle at all. Whatever’s good for Chris Koster is a-okay with him. But of course to voters, especially Democratic ones, it shows an utter disregard for our principles, our values and the virtues that we expect from our candidates. And just like Koster can’t wipe away his history of standing with Matt Blunt, every dollar he takes from a right winger like Rex Sinquefield hurts him more than it will help him as a Democratic candidate. If voters are skeptical that they can trust you, then taking money from someone who opposes their values isn’t a good idea.

But hey, nice try. Keep playing.

Jack,
I am not against Koster at all. But I just don’t think Democrats will vote for someone who voted for Blunt’s health care cuts. If they did it pretty much makes all the complaining they have been doing about the cuts sort of ridiculous.

Koster’s recent actions playing with the ballot pretty much confirm that he isn’t winning and that Margaret Donnelly is the front runner.

Endorsements either they matter or they don’t. I assume because Koster has the most endorsements, you will say they don’t matter. So please tell me, 1) how in the world is Koster getting so many endorsements? and 2) why are these groups NOT endorsing the Harris/Donnelly team?

The answer to both questions is (drum roll please) Experience.

Koster was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2004. Prior to being elected to the Senate Koster served as Prosecuting Attorney of Cass County for 10 years. By the way, Cass County is Ike Skelton’s district (yes Ike Skelton Democrat US Representative for about 1,000 years) so I must believe some Democrats have voted for Koster - MULTIPLE TIMES.

So to be clear, in addition to working in the AG’s office early in his career, Koster has served the citizens of Missouri for 14 YEARS as an elected official. In addition, Koster has been elected and re-elected multiple times in a Democratic District.

What experience does Jeff Harris have?

Well, Harris was one of a bunch of laywers working UNDER Jay Nixon. Lets all be honest, he was not the man, he was not elected and he was a follower not the leader. In 2002, Jeff FINNALLY stepped out from the shadows of Jay Nixon, and with the votes of his mom, dad, 3 cows and a pig became a state rep. from the middle of the state.

If Koster stops right now and sits on his front porch doing nothing for the next 8 years and Harris continues to run and serving the couple of dozen people in his district - he will, in 2016, have as much experience as Koster - if he is lucky. Jeff, come back in 8 years when you have a little more experience to talk about.

As for money, please, Koster is raising money because he has support. Just like endorsements and experience, because the Harris/Donnelly team is unable to raise money, you attack those that have. If Harris and Donnelly have all this support, then where is the money? I guess H/D have turned down all sorts of money because they don’t want to show an “utter disregard for our principles, our values and the virtues that we expect from our candidates”. I have a different take, they don’t have money because they don’t have support.

The new Harris/Donnelly campaign slogan “No experience, No endorsements, No money, No support…No problem”

Koster is a welcome addition to the Democratic Party and will make an excellent Attorney General.

Has anyone spent anytime lately with Jimmy Dowd. He has pickled his brain. Endorsements do matter that’s why one shouldnt want his