Lacking Kander
Under the cover of dark on Tuesday night, anti-Kander activists lurked through my neighborhood and stole Kander yard signs from each of 6 houses on my block. It was the first time in all my years of managing the famed "Yard of Power" that anybody has sunk so low as to steal a yard sign from my lawn.Meanwhile, Jason continues to run a great campaign and is even having a little fun with it.
Labels: 44th District, democrats, Jason Kander
posted by Dan at 6/13/2008 06:13:00 AM
74 Comments:
Do you have proof, did the police make a report; or people just realizing that they should rethink who they support and have removed signs.
So we have a major storm last night. During the rain and lightening a crack squad of anti-Kander shock troops stole some yard signs.
Dan needs to stock up on tin foil hats.
My Obama signed disappeared also last night. I found it blown up against my back fence.
TUESDAY night. Work on reading comprehension, anon.
An "Act of God" may have been responsible for removing the Kander signs?
It's a miracle!!!
I bet ol' Dan's sign was within the right of way.
Still, couldn't have been the Kansas City Public Works. They never enforce sign regs.
Maybe it was the "forces" of evil?
Or, since putting up yard signs this early violates a city ordinance, the signs weren't "stolen" but were simply taken down by the campaign or homeowners so Jason could stop breaking the law.
Way to never let the truth get in the way of a chance to prop up your guy, Dan.
Anon 1:47 -
Boy, it sure is interesting how the Kander signs only disappeared from the major streets, like Brookside Blvd. And coincidentally enough, other candidate signs popped up in their place.
But I am sure you are right: Kander or the homeowners took the signs down. That makes a lot of sense.
I almost feel sorry for Coffman.
You "lying sacks of shit" hang together don't you?
It's amazing that one very public lie can sink a campaign. And the chief campaign spokesman feels the need to complain about stolen yard signs, to divert attention.
How pathetic. Chalk this endorsement up there with your ongoing support of the co-mayors. What a track record you have, Danny.
Isn't it amazing, that one lie told by Jason, to the UAW, can have such a dramatic impact. Where there's smoke there's fire.
Why do you think Jason lost the CCP endorsement?
Because he lied. And he was chastised publicly for his lying behavior.
Do you know how damaging it is to have a credible, honest public official call Jason a "lying sack of shit" in a public forum?
Those aren't my words, Danny Boy. They're Clem Whitman's.
Want to try and dispute that?
Jorge
Do you and Amy think it's okay to steal yard signs?
Do you deny that Amy bought her car AFTER starting the race?
Who said anything about it being ok to steal yard sighs?
And what does the timing of Amy's car purchase have to do with Jason Kander lying to the UAW in his screening?
Jason lied. And he was called on it publicly. That's the deal, and it cost Jason his coveted house seat.
Nice attempt to change the subject.
Pendejo.
Jorge - Check the title, and tell me who's trying to change the topic.
Even if it WERE true that Jason was wrong about the exact timing of Amy's abandonment of the Prius (which remains to be seen), do you honestly think that anybody would care? Do you think that Amy can send out an attack ad whining about Jason not being exactly right about the precise time she decided to misrepresent herself to the UAW? That's simply not a winning issue for her, is it?
But, Jorge, since you don't want to change the topic, why did someone steal Jason's signs? Was it a failed attempt to diminish Jason's commanding lead in supporters willing to have yard signs?
Stick to the topic.
PS - Jorge, please try to avoid foul language - it's becoming a hallmark of the Coffman campaign.
Right, just like one of your chief thugs, whistleblowme. There's a clean spoken commenter for ya.
Besos por mis nalgas, Daniél.
this race is over. As I predicted, Kander will crush the other two. Best candidate, best campaign, hardest worker.
Next.
Confession of a yard sign thief:
It's true. Twice in my life I've stolen political yard signs. In 1988 I was driving a friend home on Oak and there was a lonely Bush/Quayle sign that we decided was bad for the neighborhood. Giggling, we grabbed the sign.
The second incident also involved laughter, but for a different reason. December 2000, there'd been a ton of snow, and I'd been drinking at Kennedy's for, um... quite some time. Watched Al Gore's concession speech. Cried. A bunch of us decided to head over to a friend's house nearby. Arriving at the house, I saw that his neighbor had a Bush/Cheney sign in his yard and I decided I wanted it. But because of the snow, I took an odd path to the sign intending to conceal that the sign was stolen by someone on my friend's property. And I fell on my ass in the snow. Everyone laughed.
Having committed the crime myself, I tend to disregard theories about campaign directed sign removal. I figure it's the work of impulsive and/or drunken kids. Or, the desperate lashing out of someone who resents that candidate and feels powerless to stop him. Campaigns aren't won by stealing yard signs. And people in a position to help a candidate get elected strike me as the least likely to feel the need to demonstrate their opposition by sign removal.
I'm burning that Bush/Cheney sign the day he leaves office. It's going to feel good.
This race really is interesting. (1) There is Coffman who has received most endorsements. The local politicos have lined up behind her not because she is a good candidate, but because they have been unable to contain Kander. (2) Spence is a very nice person but a political novice, and yet, she is running a fairly strong grass roots race. She will surprise you with the number of votes she gets in the end. (3) Kander is the young, driven politician with the best credentials for the position. Kander realized early on that the politicos would oppose him, so he decided to work like hell to win over supporters in the 44th, rather than endorsements from outside the 44th.
This race will be a landscape changer. Kander will win. It won't be by a huge amount, but he will win. (And no, Coffman's attempts to steal signs and issue last minute negative mailers, which are coming, will not have the intended effect.) And then the politicos will have some explaining to do.
It is a good time to live in Brookside. Sometimes merit does rise to the top in politics.
Kander: 45%
Coffman: 38%
Spence: 17%
Bet on it.
Why don't we ask ourselves why "the politicos" are opposed to Kander.
And the answer shouldn't contain the "Jason stands for change" or "he's going to upset the status quo" nonsense.
I think Jolie Justus kind of upset the status quo (that would be an understatement), and she's behind Coffman.
That's not why they're opposed, if you catch the drift...
Anon 2:53 -
Many local officials view (wrongly, I might add) Kander as a threat. Coffman is not a threat.
Maybe someone needs to give those sign thieves a good nine inches!
Say what you will about Kander. In the end, he will win this thing.
It's June. What the hell is the point of stealing yards signs from people? What a bunch of idiots. Especially in that district. All of those peope in that district now missing signs have the money and the desire to just donate more money than they otherwise would have to the Kander campaign.
I mean. It's like sending a message to the district saying that you want to be outraised by more money.
In agreement Dan?
As to whether campaigns actually diect the stealing of signs.....remember the crazy / sweaty Cynthia Clark Campbell footage shown on the local news of her tearing-up Sanders signs a cyclce or two ago. It happens. I have no idea about this one though.....
As to this race....I don't like my decision being dictated to me by the establishment....okay, we get it,she was a lobbyist and got money for them / Beth hates them....enough already. The CCP thing was a joke after Jason killed in screening. Whatever.
That's not why they're opposed, if you catch the drift...
I think most people paying attention have caught the drift. We're wondering where the drift is coming from.
Why don't we ask ourselves why "the politicos" are opposed to Kander.
This is backwards. Why don't we ask "the politicos" to explain their opposition to Kander directly, rather than speculating about the motives behind conclusions that are merely hinted at? I'd like to think that Jolie Justus could put together a positive argument for why she backs Coffman. Some of these other types? Not so much.
Kander is openly ambitious, and seems like an amiable and charismatic guy. His positions on the issues are well-developed and pretty much where you'd want them to be for this district. I'd love for someone to explain to me why the insider types would prefer to crush him rather than own him.
What's wrong with the guy that they're not encouraging an apparently talented politician? When no one is willing to come out and explain this, it's easier for me to conclude that the question should be rephrased as - what's wrong with these people that they're not encouraging an apparently talented politician? It's one thing to prefer Coffman or Spence on the substance, why the current of menace directed at Kander?
Who says Beth hates them?
Sophia -
The simple answer is, they fear Kander. No, not because he is now some political juggernaut. But because they recognize one day he could be, and the local politicos are always worried about future competition. Kander is not establishment; he did not patiently rise through the ranks and make the appropriate deals.
Ironically, Kander's outsider status is one of the primary reasons voters in the 44th are attracted to him. He is untainted.
By the way, walk the streets of the 44th and you will notice many Spence signs in the yards of some fairly prominent folks. There are certainly more Spence signs than Coffman signs. No, signs don't mean everything, but Spence will certainly drain some of Coffman's support.
See Dan's comment in 2007
(about bygones being bygones)
Beth has changed her mind. At the time I wrote that, she was saying that she was going to stay out of the race. Later, she said she was endorsing, but wasn't going to be active. Now, she's going all-out, in full campaign mode for her lobbyist friend. We'll see how that works out.
That's her right as a citizen and as someone who cares about politics. My understanding is that she even called Jason to tell him that she had changed her mind, and would be getting actively involved in the race, which is a mature touch.
Where is Coffman? You of course hear her name anytime you talk with the usual political crowd. But if you tour the 44th and talk to voters, many only know that some young military guy named Kander is running against two women. Is Coffman knocking on doors? I am not being sarcastic. Seriously, is she out there knocking?
What is her strategy here?
I've seen Amy out knocking on doors, but not everyone has Jason's energy or commitment.
Jason gains energy the more he meets people. He doesn't dismiss those who disagree with him as being part of a "senseless world" - he respectfully listens. That's why he "wows" so many of the people he meets.
Anon at 2:51, you are seriously misguided. Jason is the most tainted candidate to come round these parts in a long time.
Why do you think so many politicos are against Jason and his wife? If you want the real story, find out where the major elected officials stand on Kander. They're keeping their own counsel at this point, but those of us who know, know.
Why are politicos against the Kanders? It's not about challenging the status quo - it's about their behavior in campaigns. That's the dirty little secret here, my friends....
Diana has "dressed inappropriately" and “behaved inappropriately" (to put it diplomatically) to achieve her campaign objectives as a campaign manager for other candidates and organizations, lied and mislead, sent out anonymous mailings to get ahead that she has burnt many bridges.
She's got an awfully bad rep, and everybody knows about it. And she has earned it.
That's why politicos are against the Kanders. Who else knows or cares about those types of nasty behavior?
Not your average voter.
Then Jason comes waltzing in to a UAW screening, tells THE BIG LIE, and it simply confirms what every other politico has heard or experienced about those two characters.
Jason is 26 years old - Diana is probably younger, and they've made so many enemies. You have to ask yourself WHY.
Why have the Kanders made so many enemies at such a young age?
Oh, and a note to Dan - why in God's name would you think that Beth is acting mature by telling Jason she is campaigning against him? After Diana Kander did what she did on behalf of the Gamble campaign? I can remember a few of your posts on that subject, and the ethics associated with what Gamble did against Beth. Diana was managing Gamble's campaign. Go figure.
BETH WAS ACTING MATURE BECAUSE SHE WAS FOLLOWING HER CONSCIENCE, NOT BECAUSE SHE WAS INFORMING JASON.
You idiot.
Dan, you’re developing a portfolio of really stupid positions and statements. And you’re establishing your own reputation. Oh, and your rep is not as an honest person, it’s the rep of a typical ward hack.
Which is a good thing, as long as we support different candidates.
Keep up the great work.
Do you mean only that Beth has chosen a side other than Kander? Or that bygones are not bygones?
Not a Ward Hack -
Oh, it's sad you apparently don't like me. And that you're too cowardly to use your name. I'd love to talk to you about some of the things you have to say.
But, since you're apparently not that kind of person, I'll respond here.
First off, let's just get over this lie that all the politicos are backing Coffman. Simply not true. Jan Marcason is on board, and even Jolie Justus has given money. I can personally attest, though, that coming out for Jason can expose you to personal attacks by a few over-zealous insiders.
As for your crazy allegations about Diana - wow. Are you really opposing the best candidate simply because you think his wife dresses too well? (FWIW, the last time I saw her, she looked great in her Jason Kander t-shirt.) Step into the 21st century, okay?
More substantively, I think you'll recall that I was one of the most out-front supporters of Beth Gottstein. In that role, I had several conversations with Diana - she was always direct and honest with me. I was more than alert - I was eager for her to do something, anything, inappropriate, and she never did. So, when you make vague allegations like that, I gotta call "BS".
Once again, the Coffman supporters want to talk about the UAW screening. You call it THE BIG LIE - which is simply hilarious. Even if Jason stated something wrong, which I personally don't believe and nobody has demonstrated, the whole thing is a dispute about how long AFTER she started her campaign that she decided to stop driving her Prius (which she still owns) and try to act like she drives American. Was it two weeks AFTER she started her campaign, or a little bit before the screening? Is that the BIG LIE? Sorry, that's a BIG YAWN, and a BIG LOSER of an issue for Amy Coffman.
As for Beth's maturity, I have no idea why you're resorting to all-caps. Beth did something straight-up, and I'm acknowledging it. And that makes me an idiot? Huh?
As for my reputation, well, thank you for sharing your perception. All I can do is keep on telling the truth, and take pride in the fact that I've done so. If people like you want to talk about me behind my back, just like you say your crowd likes to gossip about Jason and Diana, well, I know that such people are out there.
They tend do their nastiest work anonymously.
Anonymous 9:13 -
I mean only that Beth has changed her mind about getting involved in the race. Even in her famous mailing to the CCP Executive Committee, she stated clearly that "The race to represent Missouri's 44th District provides three good individuals on the ballot." Beth and I agree that all the candidates are good people.
I think your response speaks volumes.
:o)
Resonses(s).
Posted before your very last response.
Victor rolled over and told Beth that he would not pay for her campaign against Jason Kander. Beth nearly gave him a penectomy when she heard to the news.
Beth is insane. She was warned to stay away from the Coffman campaign and she ignored her advisors. She has been going downhill ever since. No political officeholder should become associated with Greg Razor.
It's June. usually the only thing to happen to yard signs is kids riding bikes and knocking them over.
I don't support either candidate, haven't donated to either nor can I vote for either. But Let's call it like it is, if yard signs are being stolen this early it's usually by someone close to one of the campaigns.
Anon 1:15 -
Exactly. Even if the Coffmans personally are not out there removing the yard signs, or making the disgusting comments regarding Kander's military service, they are very close to those who are. If they wanted this stopped, it would be stopped.
Coffman's campaign is not built on building herself up. It is built on bringing Kander down.
Kander: 45%
Coffman: 38%
Spence: 17%
Bet on it.
What is famous about her mailing?
I hope he at least had fun making that ad because it's the
WORST. AD. EVER.
So bad it's good? Sorry -- just bad.
But guess what? People are talking about it. And in the 44th (unlike anywhere else) the ad works.
Yeah could care less about this race but the ad was funny. Agreed that someone close to that Coffman campaign is stealing the signs from that Kander campaign and also that the Coffman person could put a stop to it but isn't.
The Ten Ways you can tell Dan is a ward hack:
#10: he devotes a whole post on his blog and thread to yard sign-stealing accusations leveled at his opponent
#9:..........remember, talk radio was the first form of blogging....
Kander the Panderer!!!
Dan: What do you think of the various comments about Beth's personality?
People who anonymously attack Beth's personality are ill-informed, cowardly and small.
Coffman says she majored in linguistics. Okay, then why can't she spell or speak a complete sentence?
It should be a requirement that every public official be comprehensible.
Kander speaks in paragraphs. Spence speaks in sentences. Coffman speaks in a string of unrelated phrases and clauses strung together with "You know?" or a nervous laugh.
Deleted comment . . .
Sorry, Hawk, but I'm not going to allow anti-semitic attacks on anyone, much less someone I consider a friend. If you want to make a comment that conveys your perspective minus the anti-semitism, you are welcome to do so.
Re: Dan 06/13 0747pm
Hey dumbshit; why don't you check; I believe Ms. Coffman owned another American Made vehicle then replace it with the Ford. If you would spend more time on research you might lose this title. You know this stuff isn't hard to research. Why you bloggers go out and do some community service and try to make a difference like these 3 candidates. Jeez; Get a life.
Anonymous, I've seen Dan doing plenty of service in this and other races. So tone down the language.
Do you disagree with Dan that Amy was driving a Prius before buying the Ford Escape? Because, if you do, you're simply wrong. I've seen her drive it within the past couple months.
I don't think it's exactly a point of pride for Amy that she traded in her old junker that she never drove, but held onto her precious Toyota, do you? What do you think she will drive the day after she loses the primary?
For a profane anonymous commenter to tell an involved Democrat like Dan to get a life is almost too much to take . . .
It absolutely slays me that the Coffman Camp uses foul language consistently, and consistently makes arguments that damage her cause. Umm - Amy deserves praise because she got rid of an American vehicle and kept her Toyota????? Does that make sense to anyone out there?
If I read the records correctly, she has two drivers, two foreign cars, and one political prop.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the 2008 Prius is the most fuel efficient car sold in the U.S.[3]
eat that whistleblower
Q: Coffman says she majored in linguistics. Okay, then why can't she spell or speak a complete sentence?
A: Academic linguistics is dominated by descriptivists, not prescriptivists. That's my guess.
Yard sign stealing. Japanese cars. Blah blah blah. I think it's a shame that a small district with quality candidates can't generate better discussion than this pettiness. Beth Low's my rep. If I lived in the 44th I'd be pretty agitated by this nonsense.
Now the Coffman camp is arguing that Japanese cars are better than American cars?
"Your" kidding, right?
Dear Whistleblower:
Have a nice life; your not even worth this nonsense. You need to get some facts correct. I hope everything in your house says Made in the USA. Good luck; move out of the district because you are a waste of air.
I think I will move out of the district because I am obviously surrounded by idiots.
hey whistleblowme: BLOW ME
Republican in district
This all like a bad spoof movie! You gotta keep watching to see what will happen next, but shake your head in disbelief and often total disgust as it goes on! The negative campaigning from the bloggers (NOT the candidates) is far past the point of absurdity. These candidates are there to represent you, the people of the 44th district. So far any attempt at a decent discussion about what you want from the candidates turns into false and ridiculous accusations/comments all around.
These candidates are all FAR TOO busy campaigning to steal signs or chase down presumed "supporters" who are "behaving badly", whether out in the neighborhood or on these blogs. These candidates are all strong Americans with great values and a common goal...to benefit the neighborhoods of the 44th District. Whoever wins has one hell of a job ahead of them and they will need your support to go to Jeff City and represent you, Democrat or Republican.
So whether they are creating you-tube spoof ads, answering a few questions on a blog even with a typo or speaking to progressive organizations ..they are out there working for YOU! Even for you,the ones who get on here and insult them, attack them and falsely accuse them.
If that is you, get off your butt and get out there and do something positive for your candidate. Stop this ridiculous exchange of insults and go do something for the greater good of your candidate! (And just so it's clear... I am not implying that the blog is pointless, just the exchange of insults).
Use this blog for for something greater! Dan, as a Jason supporter and as the author of the blog, be a leader for your candidate, not a ring leader for the attacks against Amy. And please don't reply with a "whatever do you mean?" response. It's clear to all that you throw out just enough to appear polite, but that your goal is to tear her down.
Give us something better to read and discuss that is advantageous to the citizens of this district. We deserve it and so do these candidates..ALL THREE OF THEM!
Leave it to Dan to focus what cars people drive. Toyota makes a great car, nothing wrong with that.
Jason lied, that's the issue. Doesn't have anything to do with what cars people drive.
And to have a screen name like "whistelblowme" and knock other people for profanity?
Makes as much sense as Dan and his cadre of Kander defenders
Sorry, anonymous 4:46, you say a lot I agree with, but I can't agree with your criticism of my blog.
I agree with you about the ridiculous tone of some of the commenters, and if you count up the number of profane, insulting and downright nasty commenters, they're definitely not on my side of the issues.
I agree with you that neither Amy Coffman nor Mary Spence stole the signs.
I agree with you that each of the candidates wants to represent us, but I don't think that makes them above reproach. When Amy comes onto this blog, ungrammatically slams the "senseless world of blogging", and then flatly refuses to discuss policy, she deserves to get razzed a little bit, don't you think?
Where I really disagree with you is your exhortation to use this blog for something better. Go back and look at the course of these comments, and you'll see that I got falsely accused of breaking the law twice before I even posted a comment. I'm not encouraging the negative comments - they're coming from the other side.
What can I do better? Should I delete all comments? Should I NOT write about somebody stealing a sign from my yard? Should I offer to let Amy put forth her best policy reason to vote for her (hint - I did that)?
I've not written a single falsehood, and my writing has been overwhelmingly positive. Sure, I'm an advocate for Kander - I've met each of the candidates and talked to each of them, and he is the one I know will do the best job in Jefferson City. But I've been more than fair to Amy and Ms. Spence, and ignored a lot of her more outrageous supporters.
I've been truthful and fair. What more can you ask?
Where is Jason's post about what differentiates him from Amy's positions?
Where is Heartland Democrats' blog?
Kander's post about what differentiates him from Coffman can be found at www.jasonkander.com. At the site, Kander explains - in his own, grammatically correct words - his positions on the issues.
Or, you could go to Coffman's website where she talks about foreign made cars and Alaska.
Dan wants us to believe when we've entered gonemild.com, we've entered the no-spin zone, and that everything he posts is "truthful and fair."
Does anybody believe that BS?
Of course not. Dan tries to tell us that Jason didn't tell a lie (or that big a lie, which was it Dan?) when he told the UAW screening committee Coffman had purchased her car two days prior to the screening.
After all, Dan says, Amy purchased her Ford car 8 months prior to the screening - but it was just before she declared her candidacy. Therefore, Amy's intent was just as bad, so Jason's lie isn't a big deal - or Jason didn't lie. Which are you saying, Dan?
Dan won't say. But he tells us he's truthful and fair.
Do you think your readers are idiots?
Keep telling us you're truthful and fair after all of your posts, and maybe you will start one day beleiving it yourself. Your readers won't - and you'll continue to lose more of your credibility.
Dan, do you realize that the only people to who support your political posts are only those people who already share your agenda?
You harm everybody you advocate for on this blog. Funny thing is, your are apparently the last person to know it.
Dan your inferrence that I posted anything anti-semetic is libelous and I expect you to retract it or repost my statement so that people may judge for themselves. There is nothing fair or truthful about that little dance Dan.
If you choose to neither repost my comment or retract yours, i assure you that since I come from an old Kansas City family we know a large number of good attorneys in town and you will earn the opportunity to meet one or more of them as well.
Accept this comment as legal notice that I view your statement as damaging to my reputation and intentially misleading to the public.
Do you like living in that house Dan?
Wow - just when I thought comments couldn't get any crazier. Hawk, pretty sure Dan's in the clear since I doubt that's your legal name. Just in case though, I'm making my post calling you crazy anonymous to make sure you can't take my house after you take Dan's.
Anon 9:14 -
You must be Amy. Who else could make so many grammatical and spelling mistakes? For example, "or that big a lie" and your repeated misuse of "your."
Dan - you need to impose a standard for those who post on your blog. These people cannot write.
Coffman must be courting the illiterate vote.
Am I suppose to assume now that because Amy haters are attacking illiterate people that Jason is against them too? Are you saying illiterate people aren't worthy of a vote? Of course not, so SHUT UP!
Hawk -
Thank you for the chuckle.
No, I am just saying that illiterate people (candidate included) should not post.
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