Ms. Bogetto ran a fantastic campaign and is a bright beacon of hope to all those Democratic candidates thinking about running next fall-Even those who run and lose help by diverting some of the opposition's time and energy.

In looking at the blogs, TV and paper this morning Russ Carnahan's name was strangely absent. The Post's Ms. Mannies (who given an equal shot points out shortcomings in the Russ organization) failed to point out that Russ not only dispatched his political adviser Vince Curran to the Bogetto campaign but used his limited weekend time home from DC going door to door for her. Russ also put his political capital behind her. If she had lost I wonder how many people on both sides would have blamed him!

I just wanted to congratulate all the people involved in a- dare I say it- historic win in Kirkwood. The race was a textbook example of how Democrats can organize from the grassroots, build party unity and fight for the values that make Missouri great.

Congratulations are particularly due to Campaign Manager Greg Shuffeld, Bonhomme Township President Patti Osgood and her family, and Congressman Carnahan for his efforts in supporting local candidates.

Congratulations Jane- you will make Kirkwood proud.

What a victory margin for Jane! Anyone catch the less than gracious statements by the loser quoted in the Post today. So much for classy concessions.

I agree with Julia. Byrd showed a complete lack of class with her statements. I can undersatnd her being upset, but with the margin of victory, her comments are an insult not only to Borgetto but to Kirkwood voters.

Vince Currao. He is an increasingly not-so-secret weapon for winning campaigns.

Mr. Pressman-

As someone who was present when Russ Carnahan came to Kirkwood for Bogetto, I can assure you that he did not knock on a single door.

But then again, anyone who has had the chance to meet Carnahan or listen to him attempt public policy discussions would say that it's a good thing for Bogetto that he didn't knock on any doors.

Byrd's loss is more to do with the poor decision to not use the "A" team from the State Party that wins races even in blue areas. Losing in a red district tells all about the "B" team. R's now have a costly lessoned learned. Don't look for future campaigns to get this lee way and any state party funding.

Julie what ever your last name is (you must be ashamed of it):

Your remarks are suprising to me because I saw a picture of Russ campaigning with Ms. Bogetto. I heard Russ speak three times during the last few months- At an AIPAC meeting, at a parlor meeting, and at last Saturday's NARAL dinner. Since you are ashamed to identify yourself I don't know when you heard Russ speak-I assume you a were not at any of the events. He gave strong effecxtive presentations at each event as does on a regular basis.

I find it incredible that at a time when it looks like maybe our party is going to have a future you'd make a statement like this-or perhaps you are a Republican.

Those of you who are still smarting over last year's primary ought to get over it and use your energies to better ends. Russ has and will be an effective voice for the foreseeable future-the only thing that can stop him would be an effort to redistrtict hiom for the 2012 race but the way I see it Jay Nixon will be the governor and we might even have control of both houses-That is unless we waste our money on more primary challenges

russ carnahan is not a good thing for the democratic party, and we should not be blindly praising him. this has little to dow ith smith's loss and a lot to do with the fact that russ has no vision or principles to make us proud.

Random Democrat-you must be a Republican because most of the Democrats I know aren't afraid to use their real name. If you happen to be a Democrat the difference between you and me is that I can get over these things like your loss in the primary. I even sent a modest check to someone this weekend-because I think its good that we encourage smart young people to run.

Mr. Pressman-

I notice that you didn't mention anything about Carnahan going door-to-door in your response to my post. I don't doubt that he gave those speeches, but obviously you weren't present when he supposedly took all this time to go door-to-door with Bogetto, because he did not knock on a single door. That's all that I was calling into question.

And as for your attacks, I always thought being a liberal went hand-in-hand with critically questioning those who claim to represent us. We don't weaken our elected officials by highlighting their weaknesses, rather I believe that we keep them honest and encourage them to continually improve and grow stronger. In being unquestioning followers, we set ourselves up for defeat at the hands of our opposition.

Ms. Julie No Name:

Like I said in my first Post to You the St. louis Post Dispatch ran a story showing Russ knockking on doors with Ms. B. I've spent $2.95 to get the story out of archives and post it below. The caption on the picture says it all the picture is not part of the archive-so you are wrong

By the way. I'm not in anyway saying that Russ is responsible for getting her elected. She did a fantastic job-but Russ play his proper part as the senior elected offical of his party lending his support and staff to the campaign. Can't you at least admit that he helped her?

And finally as a child of the sixties no one needs to teach me about dissent-but when we are up to your ass in alligators why do fellow Democrats want to pick on a steady strong supporter of the party platform because they have a few beefs with him or her?

Here is the article-You are just plain wrong

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)

November 2, 2005

Race for Kirkwood's seat in House has wide impact

Author: Jo Mannies
POST-DISPATCH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Edition: Third Edition
Section: Metro
Page: C1
Dateline: KIRKWOOD

Index Terms:
POLITICS;CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

Estimated printed pages: 4

Article Text:

The state House seat for the Kirkwood area is supposed to be a safe Republican post, making any election a yawner.

But that's not the case for Tuesday's special election in the 94th District. The neck-and-neck battle has been touted as a potential test of how suburban voters in Missouri view the Republican Party's stewardship of the state Legislature and state government.

Even the candidates' slogans play into that perception. Democrat Jane Bogetto's message plays on versions of "time for a change." Republican Moira Byrd's fliers are headlined, "Continuing the Work."

Byrd, 41, is the widow of state Rep. Richard Byrd, whose death in May prompted the special election. Bogetto, 57, is a former member of the Kirkwood School Board. A Bogetto victory would make her the first Democrat to hold the seat in recent memory.

Next Tuesday's contest is among three special legislative elections -- two in the House and one in the state Senat! e -- to be held around the state to fill vacancies.

But both parties are paying special attention to the 94th District because it's the only one on suburban soil. Since rural Missouri voters tend to strongly back Republicans, and urban voters generally back Democrats, statewide contests often are won in the suburbs.

Party leaders on both sides agree that Tuesday's result could offer a glimpse into suburban thinking -- a potential key in next year's statewide elections. Next week's elections are the first since several hot-button issues, including Medicaid cuts and stem cell research, began attracting headlines around the state.

Still, special elections tend to be quirky because voter turnouts often are low. As a result, polls mean little and victory generally depends on which side is most successful at getting its base out.

The state parties are flexing their muscles. They are sending the 94th District candidates help, providing small armies of volun! teers, paying for fliers and organizing phone banks. Allied partisan g roups also are weighing in with independent help.

Last weekend, both candidates toured the district with better-known companions, who underscored the view that the election's results could be felt beyond the district. It encompasses all of Kirkwood and parts of Des Peres and Sunset Hills.

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, joined Bogetto, telling voters that a Democratic victory "will send a signal around the state that it's time for a change."

State Rep. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, who accompanied Byrd, said the candidate "stands for the traditional Kirkwood values" shared by Republican leaders controlling state government.

This week, Byrd sent a letter to fellow Catholics, a large bloc in the district, to emphasize her opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Meanwhile, labor and abortion-rights activists -- key factions among Democrats -- are going door-to-door to rouse like-minded voters for Bogetto. They're touting h! er opposition to the state's Medicaid cuts and her support for stem cell research.

The district's recent political leanings appear to favor the GOP. In last year's election, for example, almost 54 percent of the voters backed President George W. Bush. But some voters split their tickets; Republican Matt Blunt barely carried the district in his bid for governor.

The candidates' latest campaign reports, filed Monday, showed impressive bankrolls for a legislative seat. Byrd has raised $54,082, spent $29,371 and still has $24,010 in the bank. Bogetto's report showed that she had raised $86,067, spent $83,181, with $2,155 in the bank. She reported a debt of $14,200.

Both candidates' fliers note their views on education and jobs. Yet most of their attention in the final days centers on a handful of volatile issues:

- Medicaid cuts: Byrd supports the Legislature's decision, at Blunt's request, to trim about 90,000 people from Missouri's Medicaid rolls. She ! says they were necessary to eliminate abuse and balance the state budg et.

Bogetto promotes her opposition to those cuts, and says the state could find savings elsewhere. She blames the severity of the cuts, in part, on the $700 million in federal Medicaid aid that Missouri lost because of its own, smaller trims in the program.

- First Steps: Byrd defends the governor's decision to revamp the program, which offers services to disabled children, regardless of income. Byrd wants stricter qualifications so that wealthier families foot more of the costs.

Bogetto supports the original program and predicts the Legislature may make another stab at killing it, even though federal money covers some of the costs.

- School vouchers: Bogetto opposes vouchers and questions Byrd's campaign contributions from All Children Matter, a pro-voucher group.

Byrd says she supports vouchers in some cases, "depending on the quality of the school district."

- Stem cell research: Both candidates say they welcome the petition drive to p! ut the issue before state voters next year. Bogetto backs the effort to protect the research, while Byrd says she probably would oppose the measure but believes that it should face a public vote.

- Abortion: Byrd's campaign accuses Bogetto of being "too liberal" because of her endorsements and contributions from Planned Parenthood and other groups that back abortion rights or gay rights. Bogetto replies that she is "no liberal" and welcomes all supporters.

Ken Warren, a political science professor at St. Louis University, agrees that the hot-button differences will energize each side's base.

"But the critical role will likely be played by independents, assuming they turn out," he added. "Suburbs tend to have a lot of independents."

---

Up for grabs

The election is expected to be close and may indicate how Missouri's suburbs view the way Republicans are handling government. If Jane Bogetto defeats Moira Byrd, she would be the first Democra! t to hold the seat in recent memory. Both parties are putting major ef forts into the race, providing small armies of volunteers, paying for fliers and organizing phone banks. Last weekend, both candidates toured the district with better-known companions. Party leaders on both sides agree that Tuesday's result could offer a glimpse into suburban thinking -- a potential key in next year's statewide elections

Caption:
PHOTO - The Democrat: Jane Bogetto (left), candidate for the 94th District seat, talks with Teri Diekman on Saturday. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., accompanies her as she canvasses the district. The race between her and Moira Byrd seems to be close. Photo by Fielder Williams Strain

PHOTO - The Republican: Moira Byrd (center), candidate for state representative in the 94th District, talks with Cynthia Wayne while canvassing in Kirkwood on Saturday. With Byrd is Rep. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield. Photo by Fielder Williams Strain

MAP - MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 94TH DISTRICTPHOTO; MAP

Memo:
The 94th State House District

Copyright (c) 2005 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Record Number: 1000412026

Mr. Pressman-

I'm sure the Post appreciates your $2.95.

But I don't think you understand. I was there- I watched him arrive, speak, leave for a photo op, return a few minutes later and leave for good. I think it's wonderful that he lent his name to her campaign, but don't delude yourself and others into thinking that he actually knocked on any doors.

Julie M:
If you don't want to post your name- how about just letting me know whoyou are by e-mail-I'm intested in continuing this discussion privately

pressman: you are right that my guy didn't win the primary and i'm sore about it. i am still miffed that corey mohn lost.

if dems critical of russ keep running into the attacks of you and others, do you think that we will ever grow to like him?

For one day can us Dems be happy with long overdue victories. I supported Jeff Smith in the primary last year and share many of the concerns expressed on here regarding Russ, then and now. Nevertheless, this is not the day for that discussion.

If Russ helped with this victory, he certainly deserves credit for his contributions just as everyone else involved does. Way to go Dems!!!!

No matter what anyone says about Russ, he is better than a Republican. He will not face a serious challenge for his seat from a Dem again and could be our Congressperson for a long time, unless he decides to seek a higher office. At some point, people have to accept that and move on. Focus on beating Blunt and the Repubs.

Hey-Random I have not been attacking you or anyone-you've been doing the attacking I've just suggested that he played a part in helping a winning candidate and deserves credit not being attacked. it's time to move on-McCaskil Beats Blunt-I was made at her for going after AHolden-but I'm beyond that you should do the same with Russ.

Settle down...settle...

I can vouch for Russ' staff doing great work here--as soon as she became the candidate they were taking her on the rounds and doing a great job getting off to a good start. They had the phone banking going before the Republicans picked a candidate and were identifying voters. It was a great job by the Carnahan guys who were on site.

As far as I'm concerned, Russ should have been raising cash for her (he probably was) and that's the most important role for a Congressman in a race like this.

I'm happy to take Russ to task when he makes a mistake, but that means I have to give him credit too and he and his team deserves it.

Thank you Archy-And he did raise money for her-I got the "Sermon on the Amount"

Russ is a good Rep. he represents me very well on most issues. He needs to learn to speak better and needs to learn to be less aloof and disinterested when speaking one on one with his constituants but he is without a doubt the right man in that office. I truly believe if Jeff had won the Primary we would be talking about a Representitive Federer(ughhhh).
Russ helped Jane alot during the Campaign by rasing money and press coverage for the race.

Come on Dems we need to stop Eating Our Own and focus on who the real enemies are .

Norm, Julie et al
Even if Congressman Carnahan didn't knock on a single door, he did show up and that alone inspires all the other volunteers to knock and phone and work even harder. And Vince Cuarro is a not so secret, secret weapon. But the truth is Jane Bogetto did this on her own strengths too. Eight years on the Kirkwood School Board. Extensive community and church work too. None of our previous Democratic candidates started out with a "community based persona" so to speak. It really goes to the point that democrats must encourage community based activities in order to eventually have viable candidates. School vouchers was the trigger that sent some republican leaning independents over to Jane's side. That's a looser issue in Kirkwood and the late Richard Byrd never said he supported them because he didn't and he knew his district didn't. Jane Bogetto was the right candidate at the right time and will probably retain the job next year too. She just has to listen to her instincts about her community.....she knows it better than most people do.

Valstar-You are correct. This race is a textbook example of how a good candidate can win with strong support from the leadership and grass roots in a "pink" area.

Just want to encourage you all to keep up the bickering, it is great for our party.

Regards,

John Kelly (Republican)

John:

For once I can agree with a Republican

Dems are a Party of bickering. It, most of the time makes are party stronger.We liberal ,mod, and con Dems would never walk lock-step. Walking lock-step is NOT what the Dem. Party is about. We just to need to learn to stop being so nasty about our differences and realize we always have alot more in common than what we disagree about.

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