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As you already know, Chris Koster is making a major announcement today. (The party-switch cat was out of the bag when media pitches were handled by Lis Smith, formerly of Claire McCaskill’s campaign.) After the shock wears off, the biggest question will remain: What makes Chris Koster think he can switch dugouts, throw on a new jersey and butt his way into the Missouri Democratic Party’s starting lineup next November?

Actually, there are a few reasons why Koster might leapfrog life-loyal Dems like Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly and win his party’s nod. Koster can expect significant support from the following constituencies:

1.) Union guys. If you don’t know the story of Koster, the Cass County Courthouse and project labor agreements (PLAs), look it up. Sen. Tim Green’s endorsement will go a long way in North St. Louis County, where many white plumbers, steamfitters and pipefitters still reside.

2.) Fans of Rich Koster. Chris’ late father was the conservative lynchpin on my man Martin Duggan’s Donnybrook television show. The elder Koster passed in 1994, but his residual name ID remains today — as do his wealthy friends (think: Ray Hartmann) who will gladly pony up with cash and public support of Rich’s kid.

3.) 18-35-year-old women. Putting aside the vast majority of young women who study candidates’ platforms and vote on the issues (play along), is it reasonable to assume that the single guy (Koster) will trim votes away from the woman candidate (Donnelly) and the married guy (Harris)? I think so.

4.) Black people. Like current Attorney General Jay Nixon, Chris Koster is a tall white man who believes in the death penalty. Unlike Nixon, Koster has no baggage among black leaders. Could community activists accept Koster as Nixon Lite — a palatable (if watered-down) alternative to the full-bodied brew? I think so — especially when you compare Koster to his primary opponents. Witness Koster’s appearance in this priceless video from Antonio French.

I have a feeling Jeff Harris could develop conversational rapport with just about anyone, but can you imagine him attempting one of those complicated handshake/hugs? Handling such a large urban crowd wouldn’t be much easier for the dainty Donnelly, who might find it hard to hug someone while clutching her purse.

5.) People who want to see Jeff Roe post more “candid” pictures of Lis Smith. Oh, like you didn’t look.

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July 30, 2007

Contact: Kit Crancer at (314) 882-8767 or doganforstaterep {at} gmail {dot} com.

Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent joined nearly 100 attendees at the campaign kickoff for Shamed Dogan, Republican candidate for State Representative in Missouri’s 88th District, on Saturday, July 28. Incumbent 88th District State Representative Neal St. Onge (R-Ellisville), State Rep. Jeff Grisamore (R-Lee’s Summit), Ballwin Aldermen Jim Terbrock and Tim Pogue, and several prominent conservative activists were among those who came to help launch the campaign.

Rep. Neal St. Onge introduced Sen. Talent, who explained his support for Dogan’s candidacy. “Shamed is attached to the common sense conservative principles that animate most of the voters in Missouri and in West St. Louis County,” Talent said. “He understands why he believes what he believes and he’s a person of great integrity. I know he’s going to do a great job.”

Dogan outlined his campaign platform, which focuses on promoting economic growth, preserving traditional values, providing quality education and preventing illegal immigration. “We have to return conservatism and the Republican Party to their roots to be successful in 2008. I will help that revitalization by addressing the issues that matter most in people’s daily lives,” Dogan said.

Saturday also marked the launch date of Dogan’s campaign website, electdogan.com. “A young, energetic candidate requires a website to match,” said Campaign Manager Kit Crancer. “We will harness the power of the web to sign up supporters and keep them energized, reach voters with campaign videos, and raise small-dollar contributions from Shamed’s grassroots supporters.”

Dogan served as a legislative assistant for Sen. Talent from 2003 to 2006. In those years, he helped write federal “Pass with Care” legislation and advised the senator on a range of issues including transportation, energy, and immigration. Dogan, 28, was recently selected as one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30. He lives in Ballwin with his wife, Sara.

Chris Sander, running in the 3rd Congressional District GOP primary, will kick off his campaign on Saturday, August 4 at the Old Orchard Park Gazebo in Webster Groves.  The event starts at 2 p.m.

For more information, click here.

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As documented elsewhere on the Interwebs, Peter Kinder hosted a conference call for bloggers yesterday afternoon. If memory serves, he’s the first serious candidate in Missouri to do anything of the sort.

Conventional wisdom tells us that most, if not all, statewide candidates will hold open Q&As with bloggers this cycle. Common sense tells us something else.

The people who tell candidates what to “believe” and how to say it have enough problems dealing with the real media, so who wants to open themselves up to questions from hyperpartisan bloggers?

A: Peter Kinder and any other candidate with nothing to hide.

Let’s face it: The toughest questions Democrats can ask the Lt. Gov. right now involve Paul McKee. Which is, ironically, exactly what Peter wants to talk about this week. And next week. And the week after that. Every open and honest answer about McKee’s contributions segues nicely into riffs on Northside redevelopment and Peter’s work in St. Louis City.

Glasnost? Da!

When it comes to providing access to bloggers, we’re a long way from letting the Hancock kids read questions to Jay Nixon about the Second Injury Fund, and we’ll never hear Matt Blunt ask Howard Beale if he’d like to know more about fee office management. Still, Kinder’s approach to opposition bloggers — and the questions they ask — sets an exemplary example.

Related:

Live Blogging the Peter Kinder Blogger Conference Call [Missouri Politics]

Peter Kinder Conference Call: Liveblogging [24th State - Jim Durbin]

Kinder hopes for EcoDevo restart [CDT Politics Blog]

Kinder unveils new high-tech campaign site [SE Missourian]

TeamKinder.com

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