Tod is very good. This sends a signal that she is serious and is bringing on the Varsity Team. Tod is much better than anyone on Jimmy's team. Good job Claire, keep hiring more folks like Tod. Any chance others from Slay's team is going to work for Claire? Does the public eye have any insight for us?

Tod has not said he has been retained to do. He is a good strategist, a great manager, and a gifted fundraiser. He is widely admired by the local cadre of operatives and volunteers, and well respected by St. Louis area donors.

A late starting auditor race, an early starting gubernatorial race, or a fast-paced US Senate race could use any or all of those talents. Whichever race(s) Claire undertakes, she is much better off with Tod on her team.

Tod's great, but let's not forget that Talent has Jack Oliver as his finance chair. That's not exactly small potatos.

And every Democrat will be working for Claire--maybe even Roy Temple.

Press accounts are that Lloyd Smith, who ran Talent's campaign in '02, has signed on again for next year's fight. AP called him the "Don Of Missouri Republican politics" last year. Apparently he's never lost a race. I'm not saying this Tod guy isn't good, I hope he is, but for anyone to say he's the best operative in this race is a tough sell.