Jeff obviously deserves this. I had heard the elder Slay very much liking the grassroots candidate back in the 3rd CD race, but having endorsement obligations to that other guy with the Rolla-based family name.

Let's hope this time, as rumored, the "dean" goes with both his gut and Jeff's proven record.

Actually, the elder Slay endorsed Joan Barry in the Congressional Election.

Curious?

Why such an early endorsemt? What would Slay Sr. have to gain by endorsing so early?

What is Jeff's proven record? All of the other candidates have served in the State legislature. I am not sure if Jeff has ever held an office.

That's right, pro-life Barry got the nod, and her stance was elder Slay's get-out-of-backing-Russ card.

On that single-issue Derio has, Gambaro might then cry spilled milk to his fellow Harshbishop followers. Will then the wonder-boy of St. Ambrose be crying "No host for you" to the politicos of Epiphany parish?

Maybe it's not always as cynical as we've come to think. Maybe Slay Sr. isn't trying to "get" anything - maybe he just thinks Jeff's the best candidate.

You're right, Jeff doesn't have a legislative record, having never held office. But he's done a lot of other things, both professionally and community service, and been pretty successful. And I think he has a record of conducting himself well as a candidate - last time he worked very hard, knocked on a ton of doors, did coffees everywhere, etc. I saw him at a forum and I was impressed.

In addition to the high-turnout 23rd Ward, Jeff also has the endorsement of Fred Kratky, Dem committeeman in the neighboring (and equally high turnout) 16th Ward. The actual ward endorsement in the 16th will come at a vote of the ward club membership, which probably won't be for quite a while.

These endorsements are good news for Smith, but they're even worse news for Derio Gambaro. The 16th and 23rd are the heart of the "pro-life" voting bloc of the district, which ought to be Gambaro's base of support. In the congressional contest, both wards endorsed pro-life Joan Barry, and both were carried easily by pro-life Mariano Favazza. It wouldn't surprise me if Gambaro carried both wards, but the endorsements will significantly narrow the margins, especially in the 23rd. Smith's base of greater support will be in central part of the district.

Kratky, Tucci, Ribaudo, Murphy and now elder Slay, each going for Smith or Boykins, when they're in Gambaro's own backyard. You'd think Derio might reconsider.

But if the real race is between Jeff and Amber, as long as Gambaro thinks he has a chance, then El-Amin likely thinks she does too, keeping this race interesting.

And Gambaro's kick off is tonight...kind of a slap that Slay Sr. would pick today to make the announcement.

Jeff's gone out and done the work early as oppossed to Derio who announced like two months ago(?) He's definetly got a leg up with the endorsements and the $$ so he's off to a helluva start.

I'd like to know if the 16th/23rd are also putting their heavy donors as part of the endorsement. Like any good candidate he needs his nickel and dime contributions but he'll need that heavy to be able to call on and say "I need 2500 for a new series of spots- can I have it?" come primary time.

I think Jeff is doing really well and I'd gladly support him for the 24th ward.

Slay didn't "pick today to make the announcement." Read the words: "Word is leaking out . . . that the dean of the Central Committee, Francis Slay Sr., has decided to endorse Jeff Smith." That's not an announcement, and Slay, Sr. may well be miffed that word leaked out.

Re: the "heavy donors" of the 16th/23rd: What heavy donors? These are frugal neighborhoods. The heavy hitters of the Democratic Party largely live elsewhere. Jeff has his own donor base. Moreover, state law limits contributions to just $600 per candidate per election, and those contributions are already in hand well before any last-minute need.

Oh yes, word just happen to "leak out" today...of all days. Maybe I am a cynic (or just plain wrong) but nothing leaks in politics. It is always a controlled release...timed ever so appropriately to maximize benefit or harm, depending on the desired outcome.

Brian, when did Ribaudo move back into the City?

Howard, The Hill is a great example of how you don't have to live in a neighborhood, or even sometimes the City to still have some of your political roots there. You can be a past elected official like Ribaudo or more of a business owner like Tucci.

What's really interesting though is Kim Tucci. Since the Pasta House man is a close friend and donor to the younger Slay, how will our Mayor balance his friends backing Boykins while his old man backs Smith.

Brian, Ribaudo is a great example of political root rot.

1992, Ribaudo won re-election to his long-time 65th Dist. State Rep. seat, beating Tom Bauer by 3200 votes (4851 to 1651). Ribaudo was also re-elected 24th Ward Dem. Committeeman.

1992-93, many Hill residents and business owners threw money down the rat hole of Ribaudo's mayoral campaign.

1994, Ribaudo sought re-election to the House, beat Bauer by only 254 votes (2753 to 2499).

1996, Ribaudo retires from Missouri House and as Dem. committeeman. Dogtown Bauer wins both State Rep. and Dem. committeeman. Who do you think the Hill blamed for that?

1997-98, Ribaudo moves to county.

1998, Bauer was defeated in re-election by Gambaro but still has two more years as Dem. committeeman.

1999, Bob Ruggeri retires as 24th Ward alderman. Bauer runs and bests Joe Vollmer by 93 votes. The only thing good to come out of that was Bauer had to give up being Dem. committeeman to take office.

File this “rumor”, “leak”, whatever it is, in the category of much ado about nothing. Endorsements don’t vote, people do. While it is a little surprising that the Elder would endorse this early—couple of months still to go to filing, two sitting state reps. in the race that his son (the Mayor) may need next session, and a field that is not set yet--he’s the one who will have to live with the consequences. If I were Boykins or El Amin, it’s one more piece of information for the file. Know who’s helping you and who’s hurting you and act accordingly. If I were Gambaro, I would rest easy in the knowledge that the Elder’s recent endorsements have had little value if any--Barry, Krewson, and Clements all lost despite the Elder’s endorsement. My guess is the Elder knows all this but was already committed and had no way out. Indeed, the Elder’s support of Smith was likely determined many months ago before Gambaro got anywhere near this race when the Mayor was thinking about taking on Carnahan for the 3rd Congressional District and needed to make sure that Smith wasn’t going to be a factor in that race. A deal gets cut, Smith gets some pledges of support from people who wouldn’t support him otherwise, and Smith is no longer a problem. As for Kratky’s endorsement of Smith, his base is so disgruntled that I’ve heard of two people thinking about running against him. Finally, I find it telling the venom with which people speak about Gambaro on this blog. The only explanation I can think of is that he makes the Smithites very nervous. I, for one, have not yet drunk that Kool Aid. Smith may be a good campaigner but that does not a Senator make. The guy has NO legislative experience. I’m going to need to see a lot more from him before I jump off that cliff with the rest of you. This race will be won or lost on the ground next spring and summer and the people who will decide this race aren’t reading this blog.

jeff's campaign has some serious potential to create an interesting coalition - slay sr and kratky on the right, liberal students, enviros, gays, etc. on the left...the question is will he be able to add blacks to the mix?

Howard, that's why Jeff doesn't need Ribaudo, nor Jim Murphy. Again, it's Tucci, because of his Room 200 connections, who is the interesting ripple to Boykins' support.

Grlpol-

You're right- this race will be won on the ground next spring and summer. And I would be shocked if anyone runs a ground campaign that even comes close to Jeff Smith's. He ran a stunning grassroots campaign in the 3rd and I'm sure will do it again. More than anyone else- he probably realizes the limited impact of endorsements, given that he nearly won the primary without a single major one.

And to be honest, I don't think a lot of people on this blog talk about Gambaro with venom. It's just surprising when all these people who should be going to him are going elsewhere- to Smith and Boykins. It doesn't speak well to his credibility if those who know him best aren't for him.

==== My guess is the Elder knows all this but was already committed and had no way out.

No.

==Indeed, the Elder’s support of Smith was likely determined many months ago before Gambaro got anywhere near this race when the Mayor was thinking about taking on Carnahan for the 3rd Congressional District and needed to make sure that Smith wasn’t going to be a factor in that race.

The Mayor was thinking about the 3rd District race? So he ran for Mayor this year to turn around and run in 2006 against Russ? This is a delusional fantasy and there was certainly no deal cut.

Worse, Jeff would actually help the Mayor in such a race by splitting the pro-choice voters with Russ.

===A deal gets cut, Smith gets some pledges of support from people who wouldn’t support him otherwise, and Smith is no longer a problem.

If only it had been that easy....