Line Up for the Sunday Talkers January 8, 2016

Here’s the lib-up for the network and cable Sunday talk shows:

ABC’s “This Week” – Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; White House chief of staff Denis McDonough.

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NBC’s “Meet the Press” – McDonough; Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

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CBS’ “Face the Nation” – House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie and Rand Paul.

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CNN’s “State of the Union” – McDonough; Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.

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“Fox News Sunday” – Trump, McDonough.

Missouri Congressman Jason Smith Endorses Rubio October 22, 2015

(AP) – Missouri’s Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Smith is backing presidential hopeful Marco Rubio.

Smith said in a statement Thursday that the country needs a “new generation of leadership” and said Rubio has his full support.

Rubio is touting himself as a fresh face for the GOP and won his Senate seat in 2010 as a tea party favorite.

Smith also was elected with some tea party backing when voters picked him in a special election in 2013 to represent southeast Missouri’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

Smith’s endorsement of Rubio follows public support from state House Speaker Todd Richardson, another prominent Missouri politician.

Richardson is chairman of Rubio’s campaign in Missouri.

Kraske: Sanders Says No Statewide Run in 2016 February 25, 2015

KC Star:
Star

Mike Sanders, the three-term Jackson County executive, said today he will not seek statewide office next year.

Sanders, 48, was seen as one of the Democratic Party’s best prospects to run for one of four statewide offices that Democrats are vacating.

“I have no interest in seeking statewide office in 2016,” Sanders told The Buzz. “I’m clearly not saying `no’ forever. It’s `no’ for right now. It’s a very personal decision and driven by family considerations.”

Sanders and his wife have two boys, 11 and 8.

“They’re not going to be 11 and 8 forever,” he said. “These days go fast. For now, I’m aware of the fact that they still want Dad around. Dad’s still cool. The most fun I have professionally and privately is hanging out with my kids.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article11154374.html#storylink=cpy

Jay Ashcroft Joins GOP SOS Race, Kraus-Bring ‘ Em On February 19, 2015

Jay Ashcroft, the son of former Attorney General and Missouri Senator John and Janet Ashcroft, is running for the GOP nomination for Secretary of State.
Ashcroft had been considering making the race according to reports. He jumped in on the day the 2016 Secretary of State’s race became an open seat.
“Missouri is desperately in need of leaders who will fight for our state’s common sense conservative values,” Ashcroft said in a statement.
Democratic incumbent, Jason Kander, announced her would run for the US Senate next year ( see previous posts).
Lee Sumitt Republican State Senator Will Kraus has already started his SOS drive.
He was expecting to take on Kander.
“Today’s announcement by the secretary of state that he will not run for re-election will not change my priorities or my direction, nor will the emergence of any primary opponent,” a Kraus news release stated today.

It’s Alive! Iowa GOP Votes to Continue Straw Poll January 10, 2015

DES MOINES, Iowa — Republicans in Iowa have decided to carry on with their presidential straw poll, a political tradition that detractors decry as a sideshow.
Despite criticism from some prominent Republicans, the Republican Party of Iowa’s central committee unanimously voted Saturday to keep the event going.
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Committee members said the poll energizes the party base and serves as an important early test of campaign strength. The event will be held in August.
First conducted in 1979, the Iowa straw poll has grown from a county GOP fundraiser stop to a large event on the Iowa State University campus, where candidates spend heavily to entertain supporters.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/iowa-republicans-continue-ames-straw-poll-114150.html#ixzz3ORhAiLmF