UPDATE 6, 4:20 p.m.

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, the likely Democratic nominee for governor, weighs in:

“Anheuser-Busch is more than the nation’s largest beer producer, and it’s more than a major employer.  It’s a source of pride for our region and part of the fabric of our community.  I was disheartened to learn that the sale was final, putting thousands of Missouri jobs at risk.

“The Anheuser-Busch sale is the latest in a series of economic blows that our state has endured in the past few weeks. This past weekend, we learned that Bombardier has decided not to build its new plant in Missouri after all.  Two weeks ago, Chrysler announced plans to close its Fenton plant and downsize another local plant, which will leave another 2,400 hardworking Missourians out of work.  Our state has lost more than 15,000 jobs since October, and our unemployment rate is now among the nation’s highest.  Our economy is clearly moving backwards, and Missouri families are struggling to make ends meet.  Gas and grocery prices are skyrocketing, health care is unaffordable, and Missourians are worried about their jobs leaving the state.

…  I firmly believe our best days are ahead of us, and that together we will move this economy forward and give Missouri families the change they need.”

UPDATE 5, 3:29 p.m.

Lewis Reed, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, hopes for the best, but mentions the L-word at the end:

“The news that St. Louis icon Anheuser-Busch is being purchased by Belgium-based brewer InBev SA is saddening. The name Anheuser-Busch has been associated with St. Louis for over 150 years. The company has a long history of giving back to the community and representing St. Louis to the national and international business community. The charity and assistance to the community that Anheuser-Busch has provided over the years will not soon be forgotten, and it is my hope that the principles for which the company stands will remain.

“It is my strong belief that in order for Anheuser-Busch InBev to be successful, it is important to retain the elements that made Anheuser-Busch unique; the heritage, the quality, the breweries and the important people who are involved in the brewing process. It is my hope that InBev will look long and hard at what has made Anheuser-Busch successful before implementing drastic changes. Anheuser-Busch has been extremely important in the development and success of the City of St. Louis and it would be devastating to the entire community for massive layoffs to occur.”

UPDATE 4, 2:42 p.m.

Mayor Francis Slay had posted this last night to his blog:

“From its introduction back in the 1870s, Budweiser beer has always been marketed with the name of our city. Bud’s very first slogan included the words “this beer is brewed in St. Louis.” All of its ads today still make the same association.

“That will not change with the news tonight that the directors of Anheuser-Busch have voted to accept an offer from international brewer InBev to purchase A-B’s shares. Tomorrow, next week, next year, and – according to InBev – into the future, Budweiser and St. Louis will remain linked by the thousand bonds that history, bricks, preferences, and generations of brewery families can forge. And just as they do today, the other breweries that produce Budweiser beer will spare no effort to make sure the water to which they add the “choicest hops, best barley and rice” tastes just like St. Louis water – so that every Bud everywhere tastes the same.

“Tomorrow, next week, next year, and into the future, I plan to work with A-B and InBev’s Carlos Brito and his executives to ensure that the transition that merges two great companies means a strong corporate citizen down on Pestalozzi Street – and a great employer for thousands of St. Louisans.

“There may be a new King of Beers, but it will still be brewed in St. Louis.

UPDATE 3, 2:01 p.m.

Sen. Claire McCaskill offers this:

“I’m disappointed.  Anheuser-Busch’s Missouri workforce will continue to make the company one of the best in the world, and I am going to do everything I can to make this new arrangement work for Missouri and the millions of Americans who love Budweiser.  We need to remember that InBev could afford this All-American company because of the weak dollar created by the economic policies of the last seven years.  It’s time for a change in our nation’s economic priorities.” 

UPDATE 2, 1:30 p.m. 

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan laments A-B’s downfall and the larger American economy:

“Anheuser-Busch’s standard of excellence reflected in its products, philanthropy, and most of all its people must not be sacrificed, if it is, people in St. Louis will know. No doubt, the dedication of their workforce has always been the cornerstone of this company’s success, and likewise it must remain an important part of its future. 

“Mergers and acquisitions may shore up profits in the short term, but a commitment to producing a quality product at a good price is the hallmark of good business - not only for business but for the community as well. What should be of growing concern  is how did we get to this point?

“Four dollar a gallon  gasoline, out of reach food costs, a burgeoning  mortgage crisis, an increasingly troubled economy marked by industry cutbacks, and the value of the dollar so low it is creating downward spiraling conditions making this deal doable. I  share the concern of  the vast majority of St. Louisans, and growing number of Americans, who rightfully wonder, what’s next?”
 

UPDATE 1, 11:17 a.m 

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder put out this statement yesterday that has made its way to my mailbox now:

“For over 150 years, Anheuser-Busch has been a fixture in the city of St. Louis and the State of Missouri.  With the creation of thousands of jobs for hard-working Missourians and the continued positive economic impact for the State of Missouri, we are proud to be called home to the greatest brewery across the globe.

“It is my hope that a joint Anheuser-Busch/InBev operation will pledge the same commitment to the city of St. Louis that we have known for generations.”

Original post at 10:41 a.m.: 

You’ve all heard the news: the board of Anheuser Busch has accepted a $70-a-share buyoutfrom Belgian brewing giant InBev. We’ve got reaction from workers here and more here and you can take a poll here (must have pop-ups enabled).

Now, I’m waiting for the politicians to sound off. I’m sure we’ll see more of these today, but here’s the only one in my inbox (for all you press flaks, that’s ajadhav@post-dispatch.com) so far.

Sen. Barack Obama:

“I was disappointed to learn that Anheuser-Busch has agreed to be sold to InBev. Anheuser-Busch is an American icon and this sale could threaten thousands of jobs in Missouri. While we cannot and should not pass a law to prevent this kind of sale, we could have and should have done everything possible to find an American buyer and create jobs at home.

“That means laying the right conditions for a stronger American economy that is less reliant on foreign borrowing and ending tax breaks that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas instead of investing in America. America cannot afford four more years of the economic policies that have contributed to more than 400,000 lost jobs in the last six months.

“We need a change that will put in place responsible economic policies, fight for jobs here in America, and invest in our long-term growth and competitiveness.”