“kicks off”, perhaps?

Temporiti “encouraged” Simckes when Steelman was still expected to run for (and win) reelection and when everyone thought Hillary was a shoe-in for president. The MO Democratic Party only tolerates African American statewide nominees in contests that they expect to lose (like Alan Wheat against John Ashcroft in 1994), and Steelman’s departure for the governor’s race means the Dems now have a chance in the treasurer’s contest. They owe their African American base representation on the statewide ticket, but in their minds Obama fills that quota, so Simckes is expendable.

Zweifel is now the establishment choice, but watch for Powell to surprise the pros just like he did last time.

oracle is an idiot.

http://stloracle.blogspot.com/2004/08/perfect-storm-is-brewing-in-missouri.html

my 12 year-old has better political instincts

I’m not concerned if the worst I can be discredited with is a 4-year-old column.
I may end sentences or clauses with a preposition, but I know how to use the shift key for capitalization!

Oracle…a lot of what you say is truthful,,,but I wouldn’t say Zweiful is the Establishments “choice”. C’mon…the dude brings in Hoffa, the name is the symbol of corruption, and always will be. What is he thinking? The Party doesn’t want that!
And it is clear the “Establishment” does not see Powell as a candidate capable of winning this post. Otherwise they would not have sought out alternatives to Powell last year. While his non-traditional political strategy is interesting and worthy, he was unable to garner any swing votes in the general election. That’s why they kept on looking.
Simckes came out in November and got a a lot of early nods because she is such a qualified candidate and happens to be African-American. After Obama’s win here it proved that a Black Person is just what the party needs to get out the AA vote for Nixon in the fall. But with a union dude running, their hands are tied. So don’t call Zweiful the Establishment anything…Simckes is working hard and everyone sees it.

Perculator, many in the Democratic Party’s organized labor base think very highly of Mr. Hoffa.

Powell was expected to finish 3rd (i.e., last) in the 2004 primary, but he won. In the general, he ran a lot closer to Sarah Steelman than many expected, holding her to 51%.

He is a good man and is running a clean campaign, which is not what I can say for everybody in the race. I believe Simckes will do well in Powell’s strong area, outstate Missouri, and that is why she is going to win. Her early forays to rural counties have been very successful. Add that to her natural constituencies and it is her race to lose. She is a fresh face with a commanding presence that impressed me very much…makes me want to say “of course she can” do it.

Zweifel will win the nomination. He’s already taken a substantial lead in fundraising, and that will only grow over the next quarter. That pretty much dooms Simckes. As for Powell, he surprised everyone in 2004 because nobody was watching. Everyone will be paying attention this time around.

It’s nice to see that a Green Party guy like Oracle is so interested in the Democratic Party though. Doesn’t your party have any candidates this time around?

Sorry Shecky…like you said, people are paying attention and that’s why they will go with Change. Zweiful, whose name is even more awkward than Simckes, will have to outspend her 5 to 1 to beat her. So he will need every dime. Folks are going to pay attention to things like qualifications. being a Jeff City insider is not one of those qualifications.

Wait a sec, Perc, is this the same Simckes who was misleading people about her endorsements and doesn’t know which side of the anti-affirmative action amendment she’s on?

Zweifel wins it in a walk.