Don't Forget the AG Debate Tomorrow!
Tomorrow night, the Committee for County Progress is hosting a debate for all four Democratic candidates in the Missouri Attorney General Primary. The doors will be open at White Recital Hall in the UMKC Performing Arts Center at 5:30, and the debate will start at 6:00. It's free.
Even though it's obvious to anyone who has met all the candidates that Jeff Harris is the best candidate, the event will hold some suspense for even the most savvy observers.
Will Koster admit that his only experience in the AG's office was working for a Republican criminal? Will he continue to conflate the roles of Missouri Attorney General and County Prosecuting Attorney? Will he luridly describe crimes rather than explain his continued support of Republican votes?
Will Donnelly express amazement that the roads in Kansas City are paved, just like in St. Louis, the center of her universe?
Will Molly Williams make a credible and serious showing? (That's a genuine question - just to see if you're paying attention.)
Will Jeff Harris announce yet another important labor endorsement?
This debate offers you a wonderful opportunity to see the candidates and form your independent opinion that I am correct, and that Jeff Harris is the only one with Democratic values combined with high-level Attorney General experience.
Labels: attorney general, CCP, donnelly, Jeff Harris, koster, Molly Korth Williams
posted by Dan at 5/21/2008 06:38:00 AM
24 Comments:
Wow, this has been up for almost an hour without some moron whining about trial experience, like we are voting for prosecuting attorney instead of AG.
I agree with you - Harris is the best candidate with the best experience - and he's a dependable Democrat.
Koster is the only real attorney in the race. He is the only one with litigation experience. The others, while fine people, do not have the legal experience required to be an effective AG. Before you can take the top job, you need to have worked in the trenches. Experience counts. And only Chris Koster has experience.
This will be demonstrated during tomorrow's debate. Seriously, folks, watch the debate with an objective mind, and then ask yourselves: "Do I honestly believe any of these other candidates can hold a candle to Koster?" Leave your personal biases at the door; this election is too important for pettiness.
Too important to elect a Republican like Koster, too!
Because of Koster's filibustering, the Republicans were not able to pass a photo ID law on the last day of the session. Considering that act alone, Koster did more for Missouri Dems this year than the other candidates combined.
Which one was elected to support the Democratic Party?
Which one was elected to pander to the party, the lobbyists, or the voters?
Which one was elected to look out for the interests of all the citizens of Missouri?
Kosters filibuster was because he made a deal with Jetton, look around at the press on the issue and you will find the real story. Koster may appear that he is the best attorney for the job because he is good at debating. the fact of the matter is, you cannot hide from a record like Koster's. Look at his campaign, he cannot even keep staff on the campaign. I think three staffers have quit the campaign.
Guy -
I shy away from conspiracy claims, but if you have evidence of some deal between Jetton and Koster that no one else seems to know about, then please share it.
But deal or no deal - who cares? The point is that by filibustering the photo ID bill, Koster guaranteed that many Democrats will have a better shot in November. Now that is the kind of Democrat that I can support!
Looks like Koster is having memory problems..when asked on the CCP questionaire to give his addresses for the past 5 years he forgot to include the home owned by his ex-wife in which he lived rent and bill free until 2006 while passing it off as his own
Wow. You Harris fans sure are steeping low. Not only are your claims false, they are silly. I am looking forward to the debate, when we can judge the candidates on merit.
Koster is a sleeze. I just had to deal with him during the last session and he spoke from both sides of his mouth better than anyone I have ever seen.
He surrounded himself with sexy young aids ala Charlie Wilson. The whole thing made me feel like I needed a bath after meeting with him.
If I had to choose between a rock and Koster I would vote for the rock.
Haven't met Harris but he will get my vote.
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Rumor has it that Molly Williams is bailing on the CCP debate tonight. If true, it just goes to show that she's nothing but a shill whose only purpose is to draw votes away from Donnelly.
This whole thing smells like Koster. One more reason to support Jeff Harris.
Who does Beth endorse?
Dan,
I noticed a removed comment. I think this is the 2nd one I have noticed in the last month or so. Just curious, what kind of things are you having to delete? Foul language? Spam? Just random junk?
All these low down comments about Koster... what's up with that?
I really believe that the other Democrats in the race are threatened by Koster, because they see that he's got what it takes to get to the top. I feel bad for Harris and Donnelly, because Koster really has upset their apple cart.
But really, the Democratic party ought to be excited to see Koster emerging as one of the brightest, most competent members who will take the party far.
As for his behavior this past session - I was at the Capitol every day, too, and I never saw anything but commendable actions. It's too bad that others feel so threatened by him.
It was just a spam thing. The spam comments have been getting more and more invasive - I may need to require a random letter screen soon.
Koster came, he saw, he conquered.
anonymous..which claims do you believe to be false?
Koster = Republican
Republican = Blunt
Blunt = Bad for Missouri
I again will point out that if Koster hadn't filibustered the Photo ID bill with the help of his fellow Democratic senators, there would be far fewer Democrats elected in November.
With that one act of political courage, Koster did more for the Democratic party than his opponents have done in their entire legislative careers.
Koster has the most endorsements of any candidate. His endorsements come from the likes of union leader Jimmy Hoffa, prosecutor Bob Mc Culloch, police, firefighters and organized labor. REAL BIG Democrats support him in a real big way. Koster has the most experience. Not just as a prosecutor but as a State Senator. He has been elected to office in Ike Skelton's district multiple times. Koster has raised a ton of money. MORE THAN TWICE the amount Harris and Donnely have raised. YES - MORE than 2x. Support, Experience and Money, Hmmm....sounds like Koster is going to win.
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I went to this, it was fun, plus free food, but I had a soccer game that night, so no free booze for me. I thought that Koster was the most prepared or at least the best politician after never having seen any of the candidates before. Harris and Donnelly complained about him but lacked the specific pointedness that drills into someone being a piece of crap, for instance "he is abusive to his kids" is much different than "just last Monday, he was seen using the back of his hand on his 10 year old daughter's face to discipline her". Harris and Donnelly need to be specific if they want to cause him problems, as of now, they suck and he's waaaayyy better at being a politician. They need to step it up. Also, I live in Kansas and I'm a registered Republican and everyone was nice to me, I appreciated that. Lastly, in a voice level of 7, 1 being a whisper, 10 being yelling, some union d-bag, said "I'm glad this is over, I gotta piss." It was rude.
If there are more local political debates, I would appreciate you letting us readers know about them.
P.S. I got to say hi to Steve Kraske; I love Up-To-Date.
I was at the debate. After thinking about what I heard, this was the most telling statement Koster made: "[T]here are strategies and opportunities that are available in the Senate that are simply different that are available in the House." That tells you the kind of man Koster is -- he's a wheeler and dealer and not above game-playing to accomplish what he wants to accomplish. In the end, it's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose.
Harris is what he is. He says his position has changed little from the time he originally took office. You know what he stands for. You know what position he'll take regarding an issue. He doesn't play games.
Furthermore, I understand from those who are in the AG's office at present that the reality is that criminal prosecution is less than half what the AG's office does day in and day out. In fact, most of the attorneys in the AG's office spend their days advising state agencies in regard to matters. So, looking at the credentials of Harris and Koster, which of them is really more experienced in THAT kind of law practice?
Answer: Harris.
THESE are the important things to think about in this race. Slick answers and charisma aren't on the qualifications for AG, as far as I can tell...
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