Blunt Backs Romney

Missouri’s highest-ranking elected Republican threw his support this week behind Mitt Romney’s presidential bid.

Romney’s campaign announced Tuesday that Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) would be leading an effort to get more congressional lawmakers to endorse the former Massachusetts governor. A press release from Romney’s campaign stated that Blunt will be “spearheading the campaign’s effort to secure the support of Republican members in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Blunt played a similar role during the 2000 election for then Texas Gov. George W. Bush when he was a member of the U.S. House. Bush, of course, ended up winning the nomination and the presidency that year.

“Our nation faces historic challenges today, and under President Obama’s policies, we’ve witnessed high unemployment, skyrocketing debt, out-of-control spending, and burdensome regulations that have stifled job creation,” Blunt said in a statement. “Through his experience in the private sector and as governor, I believe Mitt has the right background to help create more economic certainty and spur job growth in Missouri and nationwide, and that’s why I’m proud to lead his Congressional Team.”

Romney added in a statement that Blunt will “be an effective liaison in sharing my vision for America with his colleagues in both the House and the Senate.”

The endorsement could mean an organizational boost for Romney’s campaign in Missouri, especially in the GOP-rich southwest portion of the state. Blunt’s political operation has run statewide four times, including a resounding victory in last year’s U.S. Senate race against Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

Still, Blunt’s endorsement doesn’t mean that Missouri’s congressional federal delegation will be unanimous for Romney. As noted earlier, It would not be surprising if other outstate legislators followed Graves’ lead.

It's also worth noting that Roy Blunt's son—former Gov. Matt Blunt—supported Romney during the 2008 election cycle.

CLAY SUPPORTS POSTAL BILL

I wrote an article for Maplewood-Brentwood Patch about

Right before that article hit the Interwebs, the office of Rep. William "Lacy" Clay (D-MO) office sent out a press release showcasing the St. Louis Democrat’s support behind legislation that would provide the U.S. Postal Service with a 90-day extension on its prepayment to the retired postal employee health benefit fund. According to a press release, a $5.5-billion prepayment to the Postal Service’s retiree health benefits fund is due on Sept. 30.

In a statement, Clay said the bill he co-sponsored would “give Congress some time to consider positive steps that will put the postal system back on stronger financial footing while maintaining our historic commitment to universal mail service for every American.”

“The truth is that in addition to a decline in first-class mail volume, part of the reason that the postal service is experiencing huge financial losses is that previous Congresses imposed costly
mandates that no other federal agency must meet,“ Clay said in the statement. “Our bill will ensure that the postal service and Congress have sufficient time to work together on comprehensive legislation to improve the postal service’s long-term viability.”

POLL SHOWS STEELMENTUM?

Former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman’s campaign is probably pleased with a new poll from North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling.

The Democratic polling firm showed Steelman leading Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) in the GOP primary 40 percent to 29 percent. Businessman John Brunner—who has been talked about as a potential candidate —polls in at 6 percent.

The poll of 400 “usual” primary voters was taken from Sept. 9 to Sept. 12 and has a 4.9-percent margin of error. It also showed that Perry is leading Romney in Missouri, as well as trepidation about Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder being the GOP nominee for governor.

You can view the poll results by clicking here.