Koster takes a few shots on way out door

Mr. Laz · 12:12 PM

Posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007

Koster departs GOP with a few harsh words
By DAVE HELLING
The Kansas City Star

Missouri state Sen. Chris Koster had several choice parting words Wednesday as he said goodbye to the Republican Party.

Words including: Extremist. Reactionary. Toxic.

“I have consistently for three years tried to push toward the center,” Koster told about 40 supporters and reporters at the Cass County Courthouse. “At some point, the reality sets in that the (Republican) party belongs to the far right.”

Koster revealed his decision to become a Democrat on Tuesday night. On Wednesday he traveled to Harrisonville, in his home district, and Columbia and St. Louis and to explain it.

Republicans rejected the labels Koster threw around and criticized the switch, the first such jump in recent state political history.

“I fear he has blinded himself with his desire for higher office … rather than keeping his commitment to the constituents who elected him,” said Jared Craighead, executive director of the state GOP.

He and other Republicans suggested Koster should resign his state Senate seat and run as a Democrat in a special election. Koster rejected that.

“The people who have helped me in this life have contributed to me because of my vision for the state of Missouri and not simply because of the letter after my name,” he said.

Even some Democrats were angry.

State Reps. Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly — who may face Koster in a primary race for attorney general next year — accused him of opportunism: “Voters in Missouri want stability and commitment,” Donnelly said in a statement.

At his Harrisonville stop, Koster said he would not talk about his likely campaign, as a Democrat, for the state attorney general’s job.

He said that the reasons for switching included his anger over the opposition by conservative Republicans to collective bargaining and an economic stimulus package.

He’s also worried by the GOP’s concerns about “activist” judges.

But he was most concerned about Republican opposition to early-stage stem-cell research. “Go to Boston for your Nobel prize; come to Missouri for your leg irons,” Koster said, referring to attempts to criminalize the research.

Some of Koster’s new Democratic friends embraced his decision.

“I think he’s talking his message to the middle class, and I think he recognizes that the Democratic party is more in tune with the middle class,” said state Sen. Victor Callahan, who attended Koster’s announcement.

The Star’s Kit Wagar and Tim Hoover contributed to this report. To reach Dave Helling, call 816-234-4656 or send e-mail to dhelling@kcstar.com.

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/215112.html

Chief Henry · 08-02-2007, 12:16 PM

Never burn bridges !

BucEyedPea · 08-02-2007, 12:23 PM

I don't agree that the Pub party is far right today. It's left, as in facist left. Corporate multinationals allied with govt for themselves. Everything's left today. I think it appears that it's far right due to the alliance of the RR with the neocon hawks. It's definitely not a traditionally right aka paleconservative foreign policy....especially the Wilsonian ( progressive) idea of making the world over for democracy. That's all big govt.

Cochise · 08-02-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

“I have consistently for three years tried to push toward the center,” Koster told about 40 supporters and reporters at the Cass County Courthouse.

This tells me that he won't be missed.

Baby Lee · 08-02-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

I don't agree that the Pub party is far right today. It's left, as in facist left. Corporate multinationals allied with govt for themselves. Everything's left today. I think it appears that it's far right due to the alliance of the RR with the neocon hawks. It's definitely not a traditionally right aka paleconservative foreign policy....especially the Wilsonian ( progressive) idea of making the world over for democracy. That's all big govt.

Yup, that's Missouri state legislators in a nutshell!!

Adept Havelock · 08-02-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

I don't agree that the Pub party is far right today. It's left, as in facist left. Corporate multinationals allied with govt for themselves. Everything's left today. I think it appears that it's far right due to the alliance of the RR with the neocon hawks. It's definitely not a traditionally right aka paleconservative foreign policy....especially the Wilsonian ( progressive) idea of making the world over for democracy. That's all big govt.

Yes, BEP...we know you use a model that makes your views bluebirds and sunshine, and everyone else's Goose-stepping fascists or socialists. NTTAWWT.

BucEyedPea · 08-02-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adept Havelock

Yes, BEP...we know you use a model that makes your views bluebirds and sunshine, and everyone else's Goose-stepping fascists or socialists. NTTAWWT.

That model I use is called the US Constitution......it's not bluebirds and sunshine by any stretch...just provides a balance between too little govt and too much. Today it's too much in both political parties.

LaChapelle · 07-07-2010, 09:22 PM

Koster may be a regular in the Lounge

http://www.consumer.ago.mo.gov/Know_MO/

Taco John · 07-07-2010, 09:35 PM

LOL! The last thing Republican voters are looking for right now are Republican politicians that are consistently trying to push towards the center.

LaChapelle · 07-07-2010, 09:46 PM

35 months ago

**banyon** · 07-07-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

LOL! The last thing Republican voters are looking for right now are Republican politicians that are consistently trying to push towards the center.

check the date

**banyon** · 07-07-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaChapelle

Koster may be a regular in the Lounge

http://www.consumer.ago.mo.gov/Know_MO/

That link just leads to a search function on the MO AG's website. Is it supposed to give us insight into who he is?

**Mr. Kotter** · 07-07-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

That model I use is called the US Constitution......it's not bluebirds and sunshine by any stretch...just provides a balance between too little govt and too much. Today it's too much in both political parties.

Oh my God, you've become a caricature of yourself....

Baby Lee · 07-08-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banyon

That link just leads to a search function on the MO AG's website. Is it supposed to give us insight into who he is?

Pssst - look at the name of the search f(x).

08-02-2007, 12:05 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $393060	Koster takes a few shots on way out door Posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007 Koster departs GOP with a few harsh words By DAVE HELLING The Kansas City Star Missouri state Sen. Chris Koster had several choice parting words Wednesday as he said goodbye to the Republican Party. Words including: Extremist. Reactionary. Toxic. “I have consistently for three years tried to push toward the center,” Koster told about 40 supporters and reporters at the Cass County Courthouse. “At some point, the reality sets in that the (Republican) party belongs to the far right.” Koster revealed his decision to become a Democrat on Tuesday night. On Wednesday he traveled to Harrisonville, in his home district, and Columbia and St. Louis and to explain it. Republicans rejected the labels Koster threw around and criticized the switch, the first such jump in recent state political history. “I fear he has blinded himself with his desire for higher office … rather than keeping his commitment to the constituents who elected him,” said Jared Craighead, executive director of the state GOP. He and other Republicans suggested Koster should resign his state Senate seat and run as a Democrat in a special election. Koster rejected that. “The people who have helped me in this life have contributed to me because of my vision for the state of Missouri and not simply because of the letter after my name,” he said. Even some Democrats were angry. State Reps. Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly — who may face Koster in a primary race for attorney general next year — accused him of opportunism: “Voters in Missouri want stability and commitment,” Donnelly said in a statement. At his Harrisonville stop, Koster said he would not talk about his likely campaign, as a Democrat, for the state attorney general’s job. He said that the reasons for switching included his anger over the opposition by conservative Republicans to collective bargaining and an economic stimulus package. He’s also worried by the GOP’s concerns about “activist” judges. But he was most concerned about Republican opposition to early-stage stem-cell research. “Go to Boston for your Nobel prize; come to Missouri for your leg irons,” Koster said, referring to attempts to criminalize the research. Some of Koster’s new Democratic friends embraced his decision. “I think he’s talking his message to the middle class, and I think he recognizes that the Democratic party is more in tune with the middle class,” said state Sen. Victor Callahan, who attended Koster’s announcement. The Star’s Kit Wagar and Tim Hoover contributed to this report. To reach Dave Helling, call 816-234-4656 or send e-mail to dhelling@kcstar.com. http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/215112.html Last edited by Mr. Laz; 08-02-2007 at 12:12 PM..
Posts: 73,927

08-02-2007, 12:16 PM	#2
Chief Henry MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: IOWA Casino cash: $26201	Never burn bridges ! __________________ On January 3rd, 2007 the unemployment rate was 4.60% with a RECORD 52 months of JOBS growth and the GDP was 3.50%. January 3rd, 2007 is also the day Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi took over the House and the US Senate.
Posts: 8,295

08-02-2007, 12:23 PM	#3
BucEyedPea Frazod Loves Hammy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $48288	I don't agree that the Pub party is far right today. It's left, as in facist left. Corporate multinationals allied with govt for themselves. Everything's left today. I think it appears that it's far right due to the alliance of the RR with the neocon hawks. It's definitely not a traditionally right aka paleconservative foreign policy....especially the Wilsonian ( progressive) idea of making the world over for democracy. That's all big govt. __________________ "In government, the scum rises to the top."~ Hayek
Posts: 46,469

07-07-2010, 09:22 PM	#8
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $53704	Koster may be a regular in the Lounge http://www.consumer.ago.mo.gov/Know_MO/
Posts: 8,588

07-07-2010, 09:35 PM	#9
Taco John 12on Paul Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $10084457	LOL! The last thing Republican voters are looking for right now are Republican politicians that are consistently trying to push towards the center. __________________ Ehyeh asher ehyeh.
Posts: 49,357

07-07-2010, 09:46 PM	#10
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $53704	35 months ago
Posts: 8,588

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