After mulling a potential challenge, Vogt slams Keaveny pick
Keaveny, left, and Vogt
ST. LOUIS — At least one of his future colleagues is not happy that Joe Keaveny is set to become Missouri’s newest state senator.
In an interview last week, state Rep. Mike Vogt, a fellow Democrat whose district covers south St. Louis County and a patch of the city, slammed Keaveny’s selection as the party’s nominee in tomorrow’s special election, saying any “true Democrat” would have opposed the choice.
“There’s still a lot of bad blood over how this whole thing went down,” Vogt said. “You just picked a guy who’s done what? Nobody ever heard of this guy before this thing happened.”
Keaveny, the 28th Ward Democratic committeeman, is running unopposed to replace former state Sen. Jeff Smith, who left office after pleading guilty to a political cover-up. Smith’s term runs through next year.
Party leaders chose Keaveny, who had the backing of Mayor Francis Slay, for the nomination over a more experienced state Rep. Rachel Storch, leaving some Storch allies — like Vogt — smarting.
I called Vogt last week to ask about speculation that he might be moving into the part of his district in the city to challenge Keaveney in 2010. If he were to make a move, it would have to be done by now — a year from the next election.
“Rachel Storch got hoosiered. I say that because I don’t know another word that fits,” Vogt said. “Nobody in the city of St. Louis that calls themselves a true Democrat is happy she got boxed out of this.”
Vogt said he believes that Keaveny was selected because of his loyalty to Slay, although legislators like he and Storch, Vogt said, generally agree with the mayor on Jefferson City issues.
“We probably gave the mayor 85 percent of everything he wanted,” Vogt said. “I think they are looking for this to be a 100 percent proposition.”
Vogt decided against moving from his current home in Affton, but mostly because he couldn’t find adequate housing, not, he said, out of any political concern over city Democrats who may have objected to his encroachment:
“You can’t call a guy a carpetbagger for living in his own state rep district.”
Sounds like sour grapes. Or maybe he drank to many sour grapes and is waking up with serious “What the hell did I say?” regrets.
Vogt is right on. This city Democrat will be voting write-in for Storch tomorrow.
Thank you, Dear Colleague and caucus member for telling the truth! Just let me know where (and to whom) I should send a check to oppose Keaveny for the August 2010. Other word for “hoosiered” is “hoodwinked”. That word hasn’t been on the crossword puzzle yet.
Pretty big words for a termed out rep from St. Louis County…This guy sounds like a blowhard.
Nobody knows who Joe Keaveny is? Who the hell is this Mike Vogt guy and what has he done? Pass any bills lately Rep. Vogt? He sounds like a typical democrat, whining about a situation but doesn’t have the minerals to do something about it.
Mr. Vogt is 100% Correct!!!
Our state Rep. Rachel Storch, is by far the more experienced person to have been on this ballot.
Those of us who know Ms. Storch, know her to possess a superb mind,and have the ability to translate that intellect into positive actions, for the citizens of St. Louis.
What does Joe Keaveny bring to the table, a YES vote, for all things desired by Mayor Slay.
Mr. Keaveny is a failed candidate no matter what the outcome of tomorrow’s election.
Rep. Storch was passed over and the result is that the citizens of our city will be the lesser for it.
Could it be that those who have commented in a negative way, are not aware of how this selection, of Mr. Keaveny, came about.
Unfortunately, some like to blog, not because they have any knowledge of a situation, but because they like to see them self in print.
These bloggers end up looking foolish, and most assuredly, not clever or witty.
Whenever a terrific Rep. such as Ms. Storch gets way-layed because of inter city political game planning - the entire region is at a loss.
I will be writing in Rep. Storch’s name.
That Mr. Keaveny even deemed to put himself in the position, to get this job, says a lot about him, and none of it is good.
Ms. Storch has maintained her dignity and her integrity.
Neither one of which Mr.Keaveny is in position of.
As somebody who has the greatest respect for the brilliant and experienced Ms. Storch, I can’t imagine what would lead city Dems to pick Keaveny over her. Hoosiered, indeed.
The more I read about Vogt and Storch, the happier I am that our new senator Joe Keaveny is not part of the Jefferson City insider crowd. These state reps sound like a bunch of whiney sore losers who believe they are somehow entitled to the senate job. Joe Keaveny has done nothing? Just worked and raised his family and volunteered in his neighborhood. By Mr. Vogt’s standards all of his constituents have ‘done nothing’. And how dare Vogt claim to hold the standard for ‘true Democrat’. I’ve volunteered on many Democratic campaigns and I’ve never seen Mr. Vogt working on any of them.
On write-ins, I thought an individual had to declare their intent to be a write-in candidate. Otherwise, the write-in is ignored? Is there a list of any declared write-in candidates? Do I understand the process?
To/ Nick -
I have knowledge of exactly what happened and why.
I can assure you that this is entirely the doings of the mayor, with a wish for control via a Yes man.
It is sad indeed that this is how the political game played out.
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As a city resident for over 2 decades, I have worked here, raised a family here and have been a volunteer.
That Does NOT Make Me The Best Candidate For State Senator!!!
Good Lord - if we cannot get a better candidate than Mr. Keaveny , then we are in more trouble than one would like to believe.
Ms. Storch Never Whined about being passed over,it is simply not in her nature!
Indeed - she has behaved in the same gracious manner she is famous for.
It is sheer Hubris for J.Keaveny to think that he can do this job to anyone’s satisfaction.
Politics can be ugly and this rigged election is proof of that.