Democrat Days tidbits: Lampe, Storch are eying statewide office
Storch, left, and Lampe
HANNIBAL — While much of the discussion at Democrat Days this week was on the party uniting behind Robin Carnahan in the run for Senate in 2010, there was plenty of chatter, also, about what happens next?
As in, who replaces Carnahan as Secretary of State? And who joins the statewide ticket in 2012 to run for lieutenant governor?
The answers? According to well-placed sources at Democrat Days, Rep. Rachel Storch of St. Louis is positioning herself to be appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon to Carnahan’s seat should Carnahan win the election.
And Rep. Sara Lampe of Springfield is preparing for a run for lieutenant governor. It’s widely expected that current Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican, will run for governor in 2012, so that race could be wide open.
Lampe had long been expected to face Rep. Bob Dixon in the race for Norma Champion’s state senate seat, but for some time, Democrats have been tossing her name out for various statewide offices. Now, sources say, she’s focused on the lieutenant governor slot.
Other Demo Days tidbits:
*Take a look at this: It’s Sen. Claire McCaskill, a committed Twitterer, turning the tables on reporters, including yours truly. In her speech (more on that below), McCaskill continued her recent role as the top Twitter spokesperson in the nation, telling Democrats: “It is a technology that is going to help us win elections.”
*Speaking of Twitter, go to my feed at www.twitter.com/tonymess and check out all the comings and goings at Democrat Days as they happened in real time. And, for power users, search hash-tag #demdays09 and see what all the Hannibal Twitterers were talking about.
*McCaskill said she wasn’t going to give a “red meat” speech. She said it wasn’t the time. She said it was time to “set aside our political cheapshots.” But she got a few in anyway. Her memorable quips:
“I know that Roy Blunt knows … K Street … but he doesn’t know the back roads of rural Missouri like Robin Carnahan.”
And, referring to Sarah Palin and Sarah Steelman:
“Alaska doesn’t know that we have our own Sarah.”
McCaskill later said the comment wasn’t a shot at Steelman. Really? Crowd sure took it that way (and they liked it).
I thought Mike Carter had the 2012 Lt. Governorship on lock down for 2012. Heck, maybe even Jay likes him.
Looks like he’ll just have to ask an additional woman to join the ballot like Koster, Page, and other politicos before him.
No?
Chad Carter
314-591-0169
Not so fast, Rachel – not before we consider a few important questions:
Who is the most respected county clerk with the most experience actually running local elections in Missouri?
Who is the most popular politician in her home county – including a former governor - based on election results through the years?
Who has been praised by local Republicans and fellow Democrats for being open and transparent about the election process and leaving party affiliations outside the door when overseeing voting and the counting of votes?
Who has publicly sparred with Robin Carnahan and other fellow Democrats when she disagreed about their approaches and proposals impacting local elections?
Who is the girlhood best pal and still-best-friend of First Lady Nixon, dating to the days when their dads directed state agencies under Governor Hearnes?
Who would be the last person to advance her own name for appointment, even though others led by fellow county clerks advocated for her when we had a vacancy for secretary of state after an impeachment in 1994 (an appointment that eventually went to Bekki Cook)?
The answer is BOONE COUNTY CLERK WENDY NOREN — A fantastic appointee for Secretary of State.
“girlhood best pal and still-best-friend of First Lady Nixon, dating to the days”
I don’t think having dated First Lady Nixon should help her in her campaign, but then you never know, do you?
Mr. Carter,
While it is honorable to support your brother with such vigor, it is time for you to recognize that he’s not going to win any elections any time in the future.
You commented on here (to the point that most of us were tired of reading it) that Mike Carter was the front-runner for the democrat nomination for LG last year, and he couldn’t even win his own county.
The more frequently he runs, the more he looks like a clone of Bill Haas.
Of course, maybe you think that’s a successful thing?
And Tony, one has to wonder — was you attendance there official? Or were you a paid participant?
Sure can’t tell based upon the bias in you stories.
Jim the dementiad Republican (forgive the oxymoron); if you could read, understand, or remember, Bill Haas won his Democratic primary last year for Congress; kicked butt against those who outspent him by as much as 15-1. General another story, but your post mentioned the primary specifically.
Didnt do well in general, but only 1% point worse than Kay Barnes in Kansas City and that was a targeted district where they spent more than a million dollars; my election spent $60,000; that made me feel better some, but not much. Probably couldnt have won with a million but it would have been closer. Always good to follow your dreams, tho, and you’ll get the ones you’re meant to. What are your dreams, Jim? other than disparage others’, of course. You ought to broaden your dreams. For example, try dressing more than just in your underwear some day. Next step, get of the computer, get out of your cardboard box, and try to find meaning helping someone else. Just a thought; just saying. Now I’m going to have a glass of wine and maybe tell you what I really think.
Who is Bill Haas?
Lampe helps Jay with Springfield, but does he need it.
Storch is popular in St louis and also west County, but does he need help there.
Nixon does have a lot of work to do in the African American community, missouri did not go to Obama…any ideas why? and we still have never had an AA statewide official. There are a couple of people who are worthy of the appointment. Now it isn’t like getting elected to the position, Missouri will carry that shame until it does elect someone of color…but, maybe you need to break the glass ceiling.
Jennifer, I believe “dating to” means “going back to” the days when their daddys worked together. I do not believe it is to be taken literally. Or were you just trying to be clever? Try again.
Rachel Storch would do an excellent job!!