Posted on 08/07/2012 5:28:06 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper
I'm with ya Impy. Today, the political color of the BigMO is now pink. Romney must do better that McCain here. There are so many libs in the big districts like STL and KC that he will need to overcome.
In August 2011, the St. Louis Riverfront Times published an article where Tammy Chapman, a former exotic dancer and 1992 Penthouse Pet, claimed she met Peter Kinder at a gentlemen’s club around 1994.[12] The two did not speak again until a chance encounter during the summer of 2011 where Chapman approached Kinder and asked to take a photo with him.[12] The photo was then published when The Riverfront Times ran Chapman's story. Chapman claimed Kinder visited her club in the early to mid 90s when he was a state senator.[12]
Kinder responded and said he had visited the club around 1994 and met Chapman, and that he had not seen her again until the chance encounter in 2011.[13] Chapman confirmed that the two had not spoken since the mid 90s until she saw him in 2011 and approached him to take a picture. [12] Kinder said that, sometime around 1994, after going to the club he decided not to go back because it was inconsistent with how he had been raised.[13] Kinder stated that Chapman's story was part of a “partisan smear” to derail his campaign for Governor.[13] Kinder further said that Democrats tried to use similar tactics against him in his 2008 campaign for Lt. Governor.[13]
In April 2011, the St. Louis Post Dispatch published a story stating that Kinder (who has a home in Cape Girardeau and an office in Jefferson City) charged the taxpayers over $35,000 for at least 329 nights at hotels in St. Louis and St. Louis County since 2006.[14] Kinder responded that he had been audited twice, both times by democrat state auditors, and no concerns were raised about any of the hotel stays.[15] Kinder stated that he always paid the government rate, typically $105/night, during his stays at the Chase Park Plaza, the Four Seasons, the Ritz-Carlton and elsewhere.[15] He further stated, “There were many times I’d attempt to stay at other [lesser known] hotels, The Sheraton, The Westin, The Renaissance Grand, some Hampton Inns and they would have a rate higher than the $105 that I was staying with.”[15] Kinder defended the stays as coinciding with meetings, events, and state business that he routinely scheduled during his weekly drive home to Cape Girardeau from Jefferson City.[15] Kinder maintained that all of the overnight stays were proper, and tied to official events, while acknowledging that on occasion campaign or personal events also took place on those same days.[16]
Kinder announced that he would use campaign funds to repay the state $35,050 for hotel costs incurred while traveling in the St. Louis area, to avoid “the slightest taint or suspicion” associated with his name or public service.[17] Due to a change in campaign finance laws, Kinder was not allowed to use campaign funds and instead had to repay the money personally.[16] Kinder elected to repay $52,320, the entire amount that he had been reimbursed by the state for in-state travel since 2005.[16] A spokesman for Kinder stated, “He didn't want any questions about the value he places on the use of taxpayer dollars.”[
Montee will likely rehash this stuff, the question is whether Kinder can overcome it in the public perception with likely voters. I favored his stepping aside (my initial comment to you from last night) because the allegations might cost the GOP the office. Could be he got Rush’s endorsement because he believed there was nothing to the claims. I’m just a bit more cautious if only because Kinder barely eked by in ‘08 (and that was absent any so-called scandal).
The unfortunate truth is that is doesn’t matter if the allegations are true (as long as it’s a Republican), they’ve done damage. November is more important than 1 man. Should’ve nominated a fresh candidate. I hope Rush gives generously to Kinder’s GE campaign.
The Limbaughs and Kinders are close friends.
Looks like Claire McCaskill & Sarah Palin are very astute, politically speaking:
Oh my: Missouri GOP Senate nominee says victims of ‘legitimate rape’ don’t get pregnant
It pretty much doesn't matter WHAT he said. They're going to beat him to death with his own lips.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden can spew a load of stinking green runny feces out of his mouth onto the podium, and the media will lap it up like caviar.
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