Show-Me RED

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Republicans across the state will be joining together to spread the word about the many accomplishments our Republican leaders have achieved. Every county across our state will be working together to ensure that we are successful this November and that our common-sense, conservative values continue to be represented in Missouri and in Washington, DC. Please click here to find out more about the activities this weekend. If you have an afternoon, an hour, or even 30 minutes to help, please call 314-872-2900 or send an email to victory@mogop.org. Activities are planned throughout the weekend, so please come out, volunteer, and wear your red!

V.F.W. Endorses Senator Talent

Today, the Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsed Senator Jim Talent for the United States Senate. The VFW, which represents 2.4 million members, endorses candidates based on their records in office, comments from local VFW leaders and answers to a questionnaire.

Senator Talent said, “In the Senate, I’ve voted for $20 billion in increases for veterans benefits, fought to provide for disability and survivor benefits and supported efforts to ensure that service members receive both their Defense survivor benefits and Veterans Affairs survivor benefits,” upon receiving the endorsement. “Our veterans have sacrificed for us and we need to keep our obligations to them. I consider those commitments of honor.”

During his time in Congress, Senator Talent has sponsored bipartisan legislation to protect our troops from predatory lenders and passed legislation to help veterans who want to start their own businesses. He also passed legislation to require thorough medical exams for troops before and after deployment to determine if they were exposed to dangerous substances.

Senator Talent has been a constant champion for our troops and veterans by fighting for defense budgets that allow us to modernize military equipment, train our troops, and give our soldiers the tools they need to be safe as they fight to protect our nation and our freedom.

Talent Receives Top Honor From Disabled Veterans, Endorsed by Law Enforcement

This week the Association for Service-Disabled Veterans (ASDV) presented Senator Jim Talent with their top honor, naming him the “2006 Patriot Legislator.” Senator Talent received this award because of his advocacy for health care for military personnel and his efforts to increase veterans’ entrepreneurship opportunities.

Chairman of the ASDV John K. Lopez lauded Senator Talent’s efforts to foster opportunities for veterans wanting to start their own businesses as well as his support for legislation to provide medical assistance for our troops when they return home. Chairman Lopez said, “He made it a personal initiative to make certain that those individuals disabled in the service to our country would be able to receive rehabilitation services necessary to enable them to contribute to the American economy and improve their quality of life.”

During his time in Congress, Senator Talent has worked to pass the Military Health Readiness Act, which requires a thorough medical assessment of each soldier before and after deployment to determine if they were exposed to a dangerous substance. He has cosponsored an amendment to increase the amount of funding for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center to $19 million and authored legislation to establish a network of business centers for veterans wanting to operate their own companies. This led to the opening of the St. Louis Veterans Business Resource Center, which is helping veterans across our state realize their dreams of opening their own small businesses.

Senator Talent also received the endorsement of the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association this week. The organization, which represents more than 1,200 officers, stated that “Jim Talent is the best person running for the United States Senate.” They commended his work to introduce and pass the bipartisan Combat Meth Act, which has restricted access to medicines containing the ingredients to make meth and has provided additional funding for law enforcement officers fighting the spread of meth in our country.

Governor Blunt Visits Troops at the Border

Governor Matt Blunt traveled to Yuma, Arizona, this week to visit Missouri National Guard troops stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border. Governor Blunt was joined by Speaker Rod Jetton and Senator Bill Alter to visit with the troops and for an aerial tour of the region.

The troops serving in Yuma are deployed to watch a designated area along the border and report any possible illegal immigrants to U.S. Border Patrol Agents. Governor Blunt said, “The Guard is making a real difference. They are a powerful deterrent, and they are helping the Border Patrol apprehend illegal immigrants. I am continuously amazed by the selflessness and dedication to duty of Missouri’s men and women in uniform.”

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Voter ID Law

In an attempt to solve the problem of voter fraud in our nation, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill this week requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID before voting in federal elections. This legislation calls for the new requirement to be adopted in time for the 2008 election. In an attempt to crack down on illegal immigration in our country, the bill also asks voters to prove United States citizenship in order to vote before 2010.

Congressman Sam Graves stated that showing identification to prove one’s identity is not too much to ask. He stated, “The right to vote is one of our most cherished rights, and an important guarantor of our freedoms. The number of illegal immigrants in this country is growing at an unprecedented rate, and requiring people to identify themselves before voting is a simple measure that will help ensure legal votes are not being cancelled out by illegal votes."

Much like the Missouri Voter ID law that was disappointingly struck down by a Cole County judge, the federal Voter ID legislation would also provide free IDs to those who cannot afford one. The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

Kinder Takes Nixon to Task Over MOHELA Threats

Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has been traveling to universities across Missouri to discuss the many benefits that students will receive under Governor Blunt’s Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. This plan will provide colleges and universities with $350 million from MOHELA for important capital improvement projects on their campuses. During his stops Lt. Gov. Kinder has expressed his disgust over threats made by Jay Nixon to members of the MOHELA board.

Nixon has attacked the board members by threatening them with lawsuits if they support the plan, even though this week the Missouri Development Finance Board and their legal counsel declared that the plan was a “clean agreement.”

Nixon, who already has begun campaigning for the 2008 governor’s race, continues to use his office for political pandering. However, his latest move has placed him squarely in the way of a better education and better facilities for Missouri students.

Talent Secures Funding for Boeing, Saves 1,800 Jobs

Efforts by Senator Jim Talent, chair of the Senate’s seapower subcommittee, secured over $2 billion to fund production of 10 additional Boeing C-17 aircraft. The C-17 is used by the U.S. Air Force to transport military troops, vehicles and supplies around the world. The new aircraft will be used to replace aging, overused transport planes. The production line for the C-17 in St. Louis provides approximately 1,800 jobs in Missouri and generates $776 million for our state in revenue.

Senator Talent said, “This is a huge victory for our military, our nation and Missouri. There are few systems more important to our armed forces than this aircraft. The purchase of these additional C-17s provides needed aircraft to our military and will keep the line open for our highly skilled workers in Missouri."

Democrats Halt Free IDs for Seniors

In a unconscionable display, Democrat Party bosses are seeking an order barring any issuance of free voter identification to citizens, at counters or from mobile vans. In response to an ACLU funded-lawsuit filed by Democrats, a Cole County judge recently put on hold efforts to provide free voter identification to Missourians. Robin Carnahan and Democrat Party bosses have asked the court to ensure that the state Revenue Department is unable to issue free voter IDs while the court decision is appealed.

The effort to thwart free voter identification distribution includes no longer issuing any free ID cards, as well as canceling previously scheduled visits of mobile units that issue the IDs to nursing homes and senior citizen centers. The Missouri Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal of the case on October 4. Copies of the Carnahan and Democrat documents are available for viewing at http://www.mogop.org/media/voterid.pdf.

Talent, McCaskill Agree to Fifth Debate

Senator Jim Talent and his opponent Claire McCaskill agreed to a fifth debate this week. The debate will be held in Kansas City on Wednesday, October 18, at the University Academy charter school.

The remaining debates are listed below.

• Sunday, October 8 – Meet the Press, Washington, DC
• Wednesday, October 11 – Clayton Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis
• Monday, October 16 – KYTV and Ozark Public Television, Springfield, MO
• Wednesday, October 18 – KMBC and KCPT, Kansas City, MO

Treasurer Steelman Recognized for Anti-Terror Investment Safeguards

State Treasurer Sarah Steelman was recognized by the Center for Security Policy in Washington, DC, this week for her work to ensure that Missouri tax dollars are not invested in companies or countries that support terrorism. At the ceremony Frank Gaffney, Jr., former assistant Secretary of Defense for the Reagan Administration, called Steelman’s efforts an “historic first step” that should be emulated as a national model.

Treasurer Steelman remarked, “I am so happy to receive this recognition on behalf of the great people of the state of Missouri who are showing the nation that we can play a big role in this fight against terror. We are making every effort to ensure our tax dollars are never used to support our enemies. It is the most worthy of efforts and I couldn’t be more honored than to represent our state in this special way.”

Top Ten Counties

With only 46 days to go until the election, volunteer efforts are growing across the state. Each week we will be listing the “Top Ten” counties in our state. Congrats to Howell, Adair, Macon, Jasper, Cass, and Callaway for jumping into the list.

Top Ten Counties
	15-Sep	22-Sep
1	Butler	Butler
2	Johnson	Howell
3	Pulaski	Adair
4	Greene	Pulaski
5	Christian	Macon
6	Audrain	Jasper
7	Boone	Greene
8	Platte	Johnson
9	Franklin	Cass
10	Lawrence	Callaway

 

Find out how our Republican leaders are serving Missouri by visiting their websites