World Politics

Governor Jay Nixon to Face Subpoena in Concealed-Carry Privacy Lawsuit

Governor Jay Nixon is facing another subpoena in a court battle. Earlier this month, we reported on the twist in a long drawn-out murder trial, in which the defense wanted Nixon to testify about a 1990 killing. (A judge has since refused to order him to testify). Now, it looks like the Missouri ... More >>

Roy Blunt, No on Background Checks: "We Must Do Everything We Can to Prevent Tragedies"

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, yesterday voted against a proposal to expand gun background checks in the country. Then he fired off this statement, that said, in part: "We must do everything we can to prevent tragedies like those that took place in Newtown, Aurora, or Tucson..." Bl ... More >>

Senator Brian Nieves Writes Insane E-Mails to Constituent Who Doesn't Want His Newsletters

We have to imagine that, as an elected official in Missouri who has experienced some controversy, State Senator Brian Nieves must be used to getting a fair amount of hate mail. And we'd guess that this message he received last Friday is, relatively speaking, pretty mild: "Take me off your mailing ... More >>

Gun Privacy: Revenue Director Brian Long Resigns Amid Concealed-Carry Data Dispute

For weeks now, Missouri Republicans have increased pressure on the state Department of Revenue and the governor's office to address allegations that they are collecting and storing records on concealed-carry permit holders in the state -- and possibly shipping that data off to the federal government ... More >>

Mark Kirk of Illinois Second GOP Senator to Back Gay Marriage, Week After Claire McCaskill

Missouri Democratic Governor Jay Nixon may not want to talk about gay marriage right now -- but Mark Kirk, Republican Senator from Illinois, is not shying away from the topic. Just a little over a week after Senator Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, expressed her support for marriage equality for the fi ... More >>

GOP Rep. Mike Leara Wants To Make It A Felony For Legislators To Propose Gun Control

Instead of literally opening fire on gun control bills, why not just ban them all together? This is the thinking behind a new Missouri gun bill introduced yesterday with a pretty simple message: If you propose a gun control measure, you will be guilty of a class D felony. Take that, Democrats! I ... More >>

Photos: Senator Roy Blunt Promotes Mental Health Plan, Irritated By Gun Control Questions

Late Friday afternoon, Senator Roy Blunt held a press conference at the Betty Jean Kerr People's Health Center in St. Louis to promote his plan to improve mental health treatment across the country. The time is right, he told reporters, since people want concrete actions taken in response to the ... More >>

Stan Musial Bridge: Governor Jay Nixon Pressures Pat Quinn With Press Release

The death of Stan Musial is one of those rare occasions that prompts elected officials from across the state to send out press releases with virtually the same message -- one of praise and gratitude for the late Cardinal and Missouri icon. The latest incarnation of press-releases-honoring-Musial is ... More >>

Pitchfork Writes Lazy, Cynical, Dickish Thing: Surprise!

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is playing the Old New Rock Festival in Ekaterinburg, Russia next month. The Springfield band will also -- at the request of the festival's organizers -- visit a school as part of an ambassador program. So that's a thing that is fairly cool. Not the most notewor ... More >>

RIP Betty Anne McCaskill, Missouri Politician and Advocate for Women

Betty Anne McCaskill, who is now most famous as one of the chief campaigners for her daughter Claire but who had a long career of her own in Missouri politics, died yesterday at home in St. Louis after a long illness. She was 84. Claire McCaskill, who had last week suspended her campaign for re-ele ... More >>

Fitz's Releases Limited Edition Obama and Romney Root Beer Bottles

There are many ways to track a political race, from the traditional polling the electorate to wunderkind Nate Silver's statistical analyses on New York Times' Five Thirty Eight blog. Gut Check, however, does things a little differently. You see, during this election season, Fitz's American Grill & ... More >>

Someone Still Loves You, Todd Akin

You'd think that after "legitimate rape" and "unladylike" (and the fact that the two terms have become so infamous, we don't even have to explain them), plus the new thing about how companies should be "free" to pay women less than men for equal work (watch for "freedom" to join the Akin buzzword li ... More >>

Missouri Legislature Overturns Nixon's Veto on Anti-Contraception Bill

It's official: In Missouri, employers, insurance companies or anyone else involved in an individual's health care can legally refuse to cover the Pill. In a not-so-surprising move, both houses of the Missouri Legislature voted to override Governor Jay Nixon's veto of Senate Bill 749. SB 749 give ... More >>

Twitter Fight! Missouri Politicians Trade "Thug" Insults

Charlotte, North Carolina, wasn't the only place where political insults were flying yesterday. Last night things got heated on Twitter after state Senator Jason Crowell (R-Cape Giradrdaeu) called Rep. Jamillah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) a "thug" and a "low life." Nasheed, no stranger to controversy, re ... More >>

Gov. Nixon Vetoes SB 749

In a decision anxiously awaited by both pro-life and reproductive rights groups, Governor Jay Nixon vetoed Senate Bill 749 today. The bill would have made it possible for any "employer, health plan provider, health plan sponsor, health care provider, or any other person or entity" to refuse to prov ... More >>

Supreme Court Ruling Puts Jamilah Nasheed Back on Ballot [Updated]

Update June 20 -- Mayor Slay has officially endorsed Nasheed for the fifth district senate seat. The mayor tweeted earlier this afternoon: "STL needs her energy in Jeff City." ------ Jamilah Nasheed's plan for world domination can continue, thanks to the Missouri Supreme Court, which ruled yesterd ... More >>

Cell Phones Now Covered Under Missouri's "No Call" List

That didn't take too long. Last month the state legislature forwarded HB 1549 to the governor's desk, and today Jay Nixon signed the bill into law allowing Missouri residents to add their cell phones to the state's "No Call" list for telemarketers. Missourians may now register their cell phone numbe ... More >>

US Marine from St. Charles Gets Super Intense Dissing the Wars and Obamney

Here's a compelling vid from the Third District GOP convention last weekend (which seemed to be, in essence, a rally for third-party libertarian candidate, Ron Paul): This is US Marine Major Christopher Miller. Over multiple tours in the Middle East, he defused bombs, Hurt-Locker-style. But clearly ... More >>

If You Like Guns, Ted Nugent, Mitt Romney & More Guns, the NRA's Got a Deal for You!

Next weekend, more than 60,000 people are flocking to downtown St. Louis for the 2012 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings and Exhibits! This is a huge deal because, first of all, I will have a tougher time finding a parking spot. Secondly, an important national figure will be present: Ted Nug ... More >>

Which Is the Bigger Pussy? Mountain Lions or State Senator?

​State senator Bill Stouffer fancies himself a rugged S.O.B. In campaign photos, the central Missouri Republican likes to pose in western wear with farm equipment in the background. He boasts in his online biography of being a gun-rights advocate and the "first transportation chair to have driven ... More >>

Ed Martin To Run for ... Something

​Republican Ed Martin has kiboshed his plans to run for Congress, because the Missouri Attorney General's job seems more appealing. Or more attainable, maybe. Martin has previously announced his intentions for Congressional seats in Missouri's 2nd and 3rd districts, as well as one in the U.S. Sena ... More >>

Gunfire on New Year's Eve Made St. Louis Sound Like Afghanistan, Rick Perry

​Ignoring the exhortations of St. Louis' Finest, some St. Louisans clearly did pop off some hot ones when 2011 turned to 2012. Nevermind that "what goes up must come down." When we feel like celebratin' with random sprays of gunfire, dammit, we gonna. If GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry can d ... More >>

Missouri Supreme Court to Strip Club Owners: "Tough Titties!"

Justices uphold Missouri's nudity ban for strip clubs.​The Missouri Supreme Court yesterday handed strip club owners yet another loss in their legal fight to overturn a sweeping law regulating "adult-oriented businesses." The law passed in 2010 prohibits exotic dancers from displaying their genita ... More >>

Did Todd Akin Trick People Into Thinking Paul Ryan Endorsed Him?

Rep. Ryan supports Rep. Akin's (above) "principled approach to fiscal responsibility" but hasn't officially endorsed him.​There was a bit of confusion late last week over whether U.S. Congressman/GOP Golden Boy Paul Ryan officially endorsed Congressman Todd Akin in his campaign to unseat Senator C ... More >>

Peter Kinder and the "Wicked Infection"

​Note to Peter Kinder: When describing one's health problems, probably best to go with phrases like "a little bit under the weather" or "touch of the flu." In fact, when running for Governor, especially when just coming off a scandal involving sketchy bars and stripper poles, we would go so far as ... More >>

Sinquefield Donates $1.3 Million to Let Voters Decide; Files Lawsuit Against State Officials

​Rex Sinquefield has done it again. On Monday the St. Louis financier opened up his wallet and donated $1.3 million to Let Voters Decide, the campaign committee he's bankrolling that seeks to repeal Missouri's state income tax. Such gifts are not uncommon for Sinquefield. Last October he cut a sin ... More >>

Local Control Bill in Legislative Limbo as Senate and House Debate Economic Development Package

​The state Senate leadership, notably Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, has said that they will likely not be debating or voting on any other bills this special session until after the two legislative chambers pass the economic development bill. The economic development bill, they poin ... More >>

(Unofficial) Senate Candidate John Brunner Could Shake Up GOP Primary

When will John Brunner officially enter the Senate race?​St. Louis businessman John Brunner's political advisor John Hancock says that Brunner will announce his candidacy for Claire McCaskill's U.S. Senate seat "soon." It seems like Brunner has been on the verge of entering the race for months n ... More >>

Audio: John Ross Dispells Peter Kinder's Conspiracy Theory

John Ross on the cover of the RFT in August 1998 under the headline, "Gunning for Congress."​The name John Ross made news yesterday when Peter Kinder told media outlets that Ross leaked the Riverfront Times a photo of the lieutenant governor and an ex-stripper named Tammy Chapman. Kinder went on t ... More >>

Penthouse Pet Dishes on Peter Kinder: "He Was One of My Best Customers"

Tammy Chapman, featured in this August 1992 Penthouse spread, says Peter Kinder asked her to move into his condo -- which was paid for by his political campaign.​Tammy Chapman, the former Penthouse Pet photographed earlier this year with Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder at a south-city bar k ... More >>

Trial of Tea Party Hero Kenneth Gladney Could Boil Down to Best Actor

Gladney in a wheelchair two days after the alleged assault.​Nearly two years after the fact, a trial is finally underway regarding a dust-up that occurred following a health-care forum in south St. Louis County. As you'll recall, Kenneth Gladney was handing out Tea Party swag outside a town hall m ... More >>

Nixon Vetoes Photo ID Bill

​Governor Jay Nixon today vetoed a resolution state lawmakers passed last month that sought to require Missourians to show a government-issued photo ID in order to vote. The legislation would have asked voters to approve the measure on the November 2012 ballot. Today that ballot initiative appears ... More >>

Joplin Teachers Urge Nixon to Veto Facebook Bill

State Representative Jane Cunningham has no problem with child labor -- but boy is Facebook dangerous to Missouri's youngsters!​The Missouri Legislature passed a bill two weeks ago designed to protect children from predatory school teachers. But the bill has stirred up some surprising opposition - ... More >>

German Sister Cities Program Gives St. Louis Dibs on an Obama Announcement

St. Louis is tied to Germany via a sister cities program with Stuttgart, home to Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.​Most people probably recognize the German city Stuttgart (pronounced "Shtoot-gart," we looked it up) as the headquarters for Mercedes-Benz and Porsche (it's on the logo). Jason Bourne pr ... More >>

Comment of the Day: Is It Okay For Blacks to Have Race-Based Agenda?

Today's comment comes in a response to a post about how four black Missouri legislators lined up with Republicans to override Governor Jay Nixon's veto of the state's new congressional districts. In voting with the Republicans, the four Democratic defectors ensured that the districts of Missouri's t ... More >>

Republican Legislators Will Compromise Only After Governor Signs Bill to Kill Puppy Mill Act

Nixon: Standing proud (as recently as Monday)​What a joke. Just a few days old and Governor Jay Nixon's "solution" regarding new regulations for Missouri's notorious puppy mills is already falling apart. After remaining silent for months on Proposition B (the ballot initiative 51.6 percent of Miss ... More >>

Missouri Democrats Unhappy With Koster's Brief Over Health Care

Chris Koster: Missouri Democrats are not smiling back.​If you haven't heard yet, yesterday Missouri's Democratic attorney general, Chris Koster, filed a friend of the court brief in a Florida lawsuit in which 26 other states attorneys general are suing to block enforcement of the federal health ca ... More >>

Planned Parenthood President Visits for Rally to Oppose Funding Cuts

​Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to deny Planned Parenthood federal dollars in the form of Title X funds. Title X, signed into law in 1972, grants clinics money to perform cancer screenings and routine sexual health procedures on low-income women.Pro-choice forces are galvanizi ... More >>

FBI Visits Missouri Blogger Who Opposed Congressman Billy Long

Congressman Billy Long holds the seat long held by now-Senator Roy Blunt.​Call it the Tucson effect.Less than a week after a 22-year-old Jared Loughner shot Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the head outside a Tucson supermarket, killing six bystanders and wounding fourteen others, the FBI paid ... More >>

Dear Chain-Smokin, Slot-Playin Grandma: Illinois Wants You Back

Yeah, we're looking your way, sweetheart.​On Monday, a group of twenty or so Illinois legislators toured the Casino Queen in East St. Louis. That same day they also visited the Lumiere Casino just across the river in downtown St. Louis. The difference in the number of gamblers at the two venues wa ... More >>

Tea Party Crasher: Hard-charging Ed Martin wants to win your vote — and Russ Carnahan's congressional seat

Rep. Brian Nieves: Packing Heat 97 Percent of the Time

Another day at the office.​Brian Nieves has dodged a bullet, so to speak.On Friday the Franklin County prosecutor's office announced it will not seek criminal charges against the Republican state representative involving allegations that he roughed up and threatened with a gun a rival campaign wor ... More >>

Brian Nieves: Ass Clown of the Week

I'm Brian Nieves, and I do NOT support this message. Ass Clown? Moi!? ​Congratulations to State Representative Brian Nieves (R - Union) for winning his second election this month. The first came August 2 when Nieves won the G.O.P. primary for state Senate District 26. The second came this morning ... More >>

Payment of $2,500 at Center of Latest Dana Loesch Pissing Match

Dana Loesch: Tea'd off, again.​There's some interesting bickering underway in the G.O.P. primary race for Missouri's 3rd Congressional District. And contrary to what you might expect, it doesn't involve the candidates hurling insults at each other -- at least not directly.The controversy surrounds ... More >>

Karl Rove Swinging Through Missouri Today in Support of Roy Blunt

​Republican strategist Karl Rove was in St. Charles this morning for a $500 per-plate breakfast in support of Congressman Roy Blunt and his campaign for Senate. For $2,400 attendees got the privilege of sitting near Rove. For a mere $1,000 they could get their picture taken with George W. Bush's t ... More >>

Listen to Candidate Jay Nixon Poke Fun at the Tour of Missouri

Belgian bike riders!? Ha, ha!!​By now we all know that Gov. Jay Nixon is no fan of the Tour of Missouri and did his very best to seal its doom. Click the screenshot below to see candidate Nixon in September 2008 mocking the bicycle race and poking fun at its participants -- in particular, Bel ... More >>

Laura Bush Defends Obama's Right to Speak to School Children

Former First Lady Laura Bush sat down yesterday with CNN to discuss her husband's presidency and to comment on the first nine months of the Obama administration. Asked about all the fuss over the President Barack Obama's televised speech today to school children, Bush told CNN: "I think there i ... More >>

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