Akin, McCaskill enter home stretch of Senate campaign

The race between incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill and U.S. Rep. Todd Akin enters the final leg with less than two weeks until election day.

McCaskill, however, has slowed down her campaign efforts in order to be with her mother, Betty Anne McCaskill, who is in intensive care at a St. Louis hospital.

Claire McCaskill has cancelled a statewide "get out the vote" tour and her spokeswomen, Caitlin Legacki, said the senator will not leave St. Louis while her mother is in intensive care.

Betty Anne McCaskill, 84, was the first woman to serve on Columbia's City Council and has been a fixture in her daughter's campaigns.

Akin's campaign Twitter account said the congressman's "thoughts and prayers" are with McCaskill and her mother.

The St. Louis congressman has been traveling around the state trying to draw attention to $40 million from the 2009 stimulus law that went to companies affiliated with McCaskill's husband, Joe Shephard.

Akin campaign spokesman Rick Tyler also published an e-mail exchange with a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter on Akin's campaign website. Tyler's e-mail urged the paper to report on the stimulus money as well as a sexual harassment complaint filed in Illinois against Sugar Creek Realty, a business venture of McCaskill and her husband. Neither the senator nor her husband are named in the lawsuit.

Tyler's e-mail was a response to a message from Post-Dispatch reporter Kevin McDermott, who was seeking comment on a report of Akin's three arrests in 1985 for protesting at abortion clinics.

Tyler also posted McDermott's e-mail including the first part of the the Post's article on Akin's arrests, which had yet to be published.

Real Clear Politics, a poll aggregation website, has McCaskill leading Akin by 5 points.

Akin failed to report about 10 years of state employee pension income

(Missouri Digital News) -- Embattled Republican Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Todd Akin failed to report $129,000 in pension income he has received over the past decade from his time working in the Missouri House, his campaign said Thursday, Oct. 4.

Akin spokesman Steve Taylor said that Akin failed to include the income in his financial disclosure forms and that the St. Louis congressman has amended 10 years of those reports to fix the errors.

Akin acknowledged the mistake in a letter to the House Ethics Chairman U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner of Alabama on Tuesday, Oct. 2, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"This is an unintentional oversight and I regret any inconvenience this may cause," Akin wrote in his letter.

This is the second time Akin has failed to adequately complete the disclosure forms. Akin amended about $350,000 in property holdings in 2010, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Editorial -- Stop the Mudslinging in MO Senate Race

The mudslinging in the Republican Senate Race is getting out of hand to the point where Todd Akin is devoting a good chunk of his front page to what he says are the lies and distortions of his opposition. But none of this does any good in helping people decide who the best choice should be. The one thing that will help undecided voters make up their minds is where people stand on the issues. For instance, Mr. Akin makes perfect sense when he talks about how No Child Left Behind is a disaster for public education:

Education of children is best left to the wisdom of parents, teachers and the taxpayers of local communities. The intrusion of the federal government into the education of our children pulls needed funds from our communities to Washington, DC, and yet returns only a fraction of those funds back to our schools. In fact, in retrieving those apportioned funds, local communities must agree to Washington’s terms to get their own money back – those terms are largely unfunded mandates which put further burdens on our schools and teachers, and as those mandates strain budgets, a greater burden is then put on the taxpayer whose money went to Washington in the first place.

We need to return local control to our schools. In 2001, I opposed my own party when I stood in opposition to President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act.

My party had strayed from its principles in seeking to expand the federal reach into our classrooms. The bill before me lacked needed reforms to provide increased flexibility for local schools, educational choice, and consolidation of existing federal programs. Instead, it was a 1,000 page bill with over 2,000 directives from Washington, D.C. for states, school boards, teachers and parents.
Currently, schools spend countless hours meeting over burdensome federal regulations in order to receive money that is less than ten percent of their overall budget. It is time to end Washington’s trend as “Federal Superintendent of Education” and give control and funding back to the States and local school boards. In short, reducing excessive federal regulations will make more dollars available our local schools, and allow those who actually interact with students to focus spending where it is most needed.

This is the sort of thing which will help voters decide one way or another when they enter the voting booth. In that regard, we had an interesting interview with one of the other candidates, Mark Lodes, which we will publish in the July 11th edition of the Sheridan Express. He is not your typical political candidate; he has an independent voice and has a lot of interesting ideas to revive the dormant economy. Stay tuned.

Opinion: Big Oil Gets Their Guy in Missouri as Todd Akin Announces Senate Run

by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Big Oil will surely be celebrating today as Todd Akin, the GOP’s 5th or 6th choice in the Republican primary, is expected to announce that he is running for Senate in Missouri. But while his candidacy may be great news for Big Oil special interests, there’s nothing Missouri families would celebrate about Akin’s record. In Congress, “Big Oil” Todd voted six times to protect Big Oil tax breaks, all while taking $47,000 in campaign cash from the oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, Big Oil companies have been raking in billions in profits while prices at the pump skyrocket.

“Big Oil special interests are probably popping bottles of champagne now that they have their candidate in the race, but there’s nothing about ‘Big Oil’ Todd’s record that Missouri families would ever celebrate,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “When he has to choose between his campaign contributors and doing what’s right for Missourians, Big Oil Todd will choose the special interests every single time. Missouri deserves a senator with the independence and courage to stand up for taxpayers and end the billion dollar paydays for Big Oil.”

BACKGROUND:

Todd Akin Has Accepted $47,750 From The Oil And Gas Industry. Since beginning his congressional career, Akin has accepted $47,750 from the oil and gas industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/17/11]

Akin has repeatedly voted to protect Big Oil tax breaks. Earlier this month, Akin voted to block a vote on a motion to repeal the Section 199 domestic manufacturing tax credit for the five largest oil companies. [Vote 293, 5/05/11]

Akin voted to protect tax breaks for Big Oil companies earlier this year…In March 2011, Akin voted against a measure that would have repealed oil and gas production tax breaks for major integrated oil companies for the proposed two week period in the House budget continuing resolution. Rep. William Keating, who offered the motion to recommit, said, “Our alternative is an alternative of sensible spending cuts. Let’s stop sending taxpayer money to the most profitable companies in the world.” The motion failed, 176-249. [CQ Today, 3/01/11; HJR 44, Vote #153, 3/01/11]

…And again in 2008. In 2008, Akin voted against considering the rule to allow the House to vote on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 224-186. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 78, 2/27/08]

…And again. In 2008, Akin voted against a motion to end debate on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 214-189. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 80, 2/27/08]

Akin also opposed a plan to repeal tax breaks for Big Oil in 2007. Akin voted against shifting certain revenue from royalties and tax incentives from oil and gas companies into a reserve fund for alternative and renewable energies. The bill would require current offshore fuel producers who are not paying federal royalties to agree to pay royalties when fuel prices reach certain thresholds or pay fees based on how much fuel they produce. The bill passed 264-163. [New York Times, 1/19/07; Speaker Pelosi Press Release, 1/18/07; CQ Floor Votes, 1/18/07; HR 6, Vote 40, 1/18/07]

Akin also opposed removing tax breaks for Big Oil in 2006. Akin voted against a motion to instruct conferees negotiating H.R. 4297, the Tax Reconciliation Bill. The motion would instruct House conferees to 1) accept three bipartisan provisions from the Senate that would remove subsidies and close loopholes for large integrated oil companies, so that big oil companies would pay their fair share of taxes, and 2) strike the extension of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts. The total for these two proposals was $51 billion. In 2005, the top five oil companies reaped more than $100 million, three times their profits in 2002. The motion failed 190-232. [McDermott Talking Points, “Republicans Fight for Big Oil Subsidies and Loopholes”; HR4297, Vote 109, 4/27/06]

Opinion: Todd Akin Goes to the Mat AGAIN to Protect Billions for Big Oil

by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Todd Akin voted today to preserve special multi-billion dollar tax giveaways for his Big Oil cronies while Missouri families are paying sky-high prices at the pump. For the sixth time in five years, today Todd Akin voted to preserve these multi-billion dollar tax giveaways for Big Oil companies that are already making multi-billion dollar profits.

“Todd Akin is laying cozily in the pocket of Big Oil and protecting special multi-billion dollar tax giveaways to oil companies while Missouri families and businesses are paying sky-high gas prices.” said Matt Canter, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman. “While Big Oil companies reap nearly historic billion dollar profits, Missouri families are being squeezed by soaring gas prices. Perhaps Akin’s love for Big Oil’s campaign contributions has clouded his judgment. Missouri families need a senator who will stand up for them, not a politician who takes $48,000 from the oil industry and then votes for special tax giveaways to their Big Oil cronies.”

Akin has long pushed measures to pad Big Oil company profits instead of fighting to reduce the strain of rising gas prices on the pocket books of middle-class Missouri families. Time and again, Todd Akin stood hand-in-hand with Big Oil lobbyists by voting against measures that would have repealed special tax breaks and exemptions for Big Oil companies and instead fund efforts to invest in renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. To date, Akin has received nearly $48,000 in campaign contributions from the Big Oil industry.

Background:

Today, Akin voted to block a vote on a motion to repeal the Section 199 domestic manufacturing tax credit for the five largest oil companies. [Vote 293, 5/05/11]

Todd Akin Has Accepted $47,750 From The Oil And Gas Industry. Since beginning his congressional career, Akin has accepted $47,750 from the oil and gas industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 4/26/11]

Akin has repeatedly voted to protect tax breaks for big oil companies:

· In March 2011, Akin voted against a measure that would have repealed oil and gas production tax breaks for major integrated oil companies for the proposed two week period in the House budget continuing resolution. Rep. William Keating, who offered the motion to recommit, said, “Our alternative is an alternative of sensible spending cuts. Let’s stop sending taxpayer money to the most profitable companies in the world.” The motion failed, 176-249. [CQ Today, 3/01/11; HJR 44, Vote #153, 3/01/11]

· In 2008, Akin voted against considering the rule to allow the House to vote on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 224-186. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 78, 2/27/08]

· In 2008, Akin voted against a motion to end debate on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 214-189. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 80, 2/27/08]

Akin Opposed Repealing Tax Breaks for Big Oil. In 2007, Akin voted against shifting certain revenue from royalties and tax incentives from oil and gas companies into a reserve fund for alternative and renewable energies. The bill would require current offshore fuel producers who are not paying federal royalties to agree to pay royalties when fuel prices reach certain thresholds or pay fees based on how much fuel they produce. The bill passed 264-163. [New York Times, 1/19/07; Speaker Pelosi Press Release, 1/18/07; CQ Floor Votes, 1/18/07; HR 6, Vote 40, 1/18/07]

Akin Opposed Removing Tax Breaks for Big Oil Companies from Tax Bill. In 2006, Akin voted against a motion to instruct conferees negotiating H.R. 4297, the Tax Reconciliation Bill. The motion would instruct House conferees to 1) accept three bipartisan provisions from the Senate that would remove subsidies and close loopholes for large integrated oil companies, so that big oil companies would pay their fair share of taxes, and 2) strike the extension of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts. The total for these two proposals was $51 billion. In 2005, the top five oil companies reaped more than $100 million, three times their profits in 2002. The motion failed 190-232. [McDermott Talking Points, “Republicans Fight for Big Oil Subsidies and Loopholes”; HR4297, Vote 109, 4/27/06]