KC Buzz Blog

Congressman Cleaver and his better half go prime time

    Last night's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" on MSNBC included an oddball-ish moment from the National Prayer Breakfast.

   Here's how Keith described the moment as the video played:

"And in a lighter, but in some ways more disturbing note about Iraq, at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning in Washington, when Laura Bush asked her neighbor for coffee, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, stood up, poured the first lady a cup of Joe, did not pour one for the president, put down the coffee pot, then went back to his own seat. 

"The whole exchange triggering some kind of primeval response in the president, who stood up, gestured at the blushing chairman, retrieved the coffee pot, returned to his own seat and poured himself a cup of coffee to hearty guffaws all around.  He then appeared to change course, standing up to take the coffee back to General Pace, filling his cup up, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff clearly showed his continuing embarrassment, embarrassment over coffee."

   The general also missed filling the cup of the person to the First Lady's right. That person was Dianne Cleaver. She and her congressman husband, Emanuel who led the prayer service, were among those participating in those hearty guffaws and shown throughout the video.

    It was quite the primetime night for the Mo-Kan congressional delegation. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback was featured in one clip on the "Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

UPDATE: Cleaver spokesman Danny Rotert has helpfully provided links after reading the original post. If you want the conservative take on the moment, check out Fox News. If you want the bash Bush take, then check out MSNBC's. 

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

Cleaver: Bush can't change the subject

   Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver's response to the president's State of the Union included this comment:

   "This evening, the president attempted to change the subject, to ignore the 800-pound gorilla in every citizen's living room. Our nation cannot and will not be able to move forward on a meaningful domestic agenda as long as the war in Iraq continues to escalate."

Posted by Steve Kraske

Nice kitty

    Emanuel Cleaver is now part of the House leadership. House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina named Cleaver one of 22 regional whips. He and Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois will be responsible for "whipping" members - collecting support for Democratic bills when they come to the floor - from their own states, plus Kansas, Oklahoma and Indiana.

    "It's a bit more like herding cats," Cleaver said.

Posted by David Goldstein    

Ah, civility

     Congressman Emanuel Cleaver has been pushing for more civility on the House floor since last year. The previous Republican-led Congress was notable for how it trashed House protocols, like sending bills to the floor without hearings and holding votes open long past deadlines to allow GOP leaders more time to twist arms to get their measures passed.

    Cleaver actually has several proposals to change the tone in the House and got two of them included in the ethics reform package passed today. One bars the practice of holding open votes. The other requires conference committees to offer adequate notice of their meetings. It also guarantees that information about the bills being decided is available to all members, and that reports on legislation won't be changed after everyone has agreed to them.

    "These may sound like small, common sense changes, and frankly they are," Cleaver, a Democrat said in a statement. "However, compared to the way the Congress has been run in the last decade, these measures represent a sea change in the respect given to the minority party."

    Democrat Dennis Moore of Kansas got his two cents into the ethics reform bill with a measure requiring full disclosure of all earmarks. These are projects tucked into bills without review and without attribution to the member who submitted them. They are usually for parochial programs, but all taxpayers pay for them.

Posted by David Goldstein 

Cleaver on Buck's honor

  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver has issued a news release on the Presidential Medal of Freedom going to his dear friend and baseball legend Buck O'Neill.

  Cleaver vows to continue to get a Congressional honor bestowed on O'Neill.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

The Rev keeps promise to Chris Moreno

   Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is headlining a fund-raiser for up-and-coming politico Chris Moreno. As reported previously on KC Buzz Blog, Cleaver's folks had promised that Cleaver would campaign for Moreno, who is running for the 48th District Missouri House seat.

  Obviously, the Democrats are smelling blood in Moreno's bid against Republican Rep. Will Kraus. That's because virtually every major Democratic politico is locking hands in this event, including seven state lawmakers, four county lawmakers and several Democrats unopposed on the November ballot. The Hispanic political leadership is also stepping up for Moreno.

  And making another Kansas City appearance will be Attorney General Jay Nixon, who along with Jackson County Prosecutor Mike Sanders is joining Cleaver in hosting the event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at a Lee's Summit banquet hall.Tickets start at $25 and go up to $325.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

McInerney says nope to prosecutor gig and other Torch tidbits

   Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Pat McInerney was the early front-runner to be the next Jackson County prosecutor to replace Mike Sanders, who is expected beat in November less-financed foes. McInerney had the backing of important folks on the courthouse's second floor and even had the endorsement of at least one district court judge. He had the necessary telegenic presence, the experience and the Democratic connections. The Buzz was that Chief Deputy Jim Kanatzar would get the consolation gig of county counselor, where he could ably continue keeping Sanders out of hot water. Now, Kanatzar is the No. 1 possibility with a bullet.

   Torch Dinner hostest-with-the-mostest Beth Gottstein saw fit to place KC Buzz Blog next to McInerney. And the obvious question had to be asked. And the Blackwell Sanders partner forthrightly admitted without any Hillary Clinton puss-footing around that he was content at his current gig (read: ka-ching!) and has no interesting in moving his shingle to the courthouse again. So McInerney is out as a prosecutor candidate, but like most everyone else he wonders who will wind up on the blue-ribbon selection committee.

  Buzz Blog even moseyed over to the Sanders table to try and get a scoop from Women's Caucus VP Georgia Sanders while her hubby was off kibitzing with KC Councilman Terry Riley and others. She swore no decision on the prosector has been made (Mike would die if he knew what she did confide!).

  But other decisions were made last night before, after and during the Westin gathering. Expect to see Congressman Emanuel Cleaver politicking on behalf of Missouri House candidate Chris Moreno in his race against Republican incumbent Will Kraus.

   Cleaver got stuck in DC but sent his ever gracious and lovely wife Dianne to speak in person on his behalf. (He also sent taped comments that talked about the influence in his life of strong women and a precocious granddaughter as well as funny comments about how mean his three sisters were to him as a child.)

   Missouri Auditor Claire McCaskill got the first standing ovation last night. A late-arriving from Wichita Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius also was well received, particularly when she offered up as an unexpected auction item dinner for six with her and the First Dude at the Governor's Mansion. Speaking of auction items, this is what happens when former Jackson County employee/former KC school board member Sandy Mayer allows hubby Bob to go to the Torch Dinner by himself. He successfully bid $1,000 for lunch with Her Honor, Mayor Kay Barnes.

   Barnes was wearing a lovely cream and apricot jacket (sans flower! and she wasn't one of the many people wearing stickers promoting the stem-cell initiative). The outgoing mayor (in perhaps her swan song?) spoke about past leaders, future leaders and being assured that the future is in good hands. Which all in all could have been the theme of a night where progressives partied like it was 1999 and certainly hope it will be again come the morning of Nov. 8.

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

Please Mr. Postman

  In an era of often divisive politics, one federal agency's cost-cutting move has managed to bring bipartisan opposition from Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, and Republican Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent.

   After getting a call from Jackson County Ex Katheryn Shields, Cleaver became so angry at the decision of the agency that he went, er, postal, calling it "customer disservice." Bond fired off a letter to federal officials making clear his concerns. And Talent offered any assistance possible to Jackson County to get its service restored.

    One Jackson County judge joked that if the county went to court to stop the move he would sign a temporary restraining order blocking it.

  What has 'em all up in arms? And did the federal agency back down in the face of Congressional outrage or just postpone the inevitable?  You'll have to read tomorrow's Star to know, or check The KC Buzz Blog in the morning.

   Posted by DeAnn Smith

Hey Jamaica Congressmon

   Congressman Emanuel Cleaver opened up his part-sermon, part-speech at the Jackson County Democratic Party's unity brunch Saturday morning by talking about his recent trip to Turkey.

   The former KC mayor lamented the anti-Americanism sentiment he found there. "We are hated everywhere," he said.

   How bad did it get? Well, the first four days he would proclaim he was from the United States when asked where he was from.

  "After about five days, I stopped telling people where I was from. When people would ask me where I was from, I would say, "HEY MON!"

Posted by DeAnn Smith

How do you spell Democratic unity? T-H-E H-U-G

   It was a smorgasbord of Democratic political news as the party leaders showed up Saturday morning to munch on scrambled eggs, danishes, bacon and Republicans while putting aside their primary differences.

   The expected handshake between Jackson County executive opponents Mike Sanders and Charles Wheeler occurred. As did, however, an unexpected HUG; yes, dear reader, Sanders and Jack County Ex Katheryn Shields embraced. (Read more in Sunday's Star but don't worry no Godfather kiss was involved.)

  Between the handshake and the hug came the funny, the sublime and the comical, all of which created a feast for any blogger worth her sugaah. Unfortunately, no Republicans were trailing Claire McCaskill or Emanuel Cleaver so, gosh darn, there will be apparently no YouTube.com video of their red meat tossed to the Democratic faithful.

    The morning started off with a svelte Sen. Victor Callahan pulling up his car right after Sanders and his incredibly shrinking wife Georgia (jealous thy name was every woman in the room). The three ignored each other. But Callahan who said he was all about party harmony joked outloud about whether he dared be seen at the same event as Sanders. (Though unity only goes so far, 'cause no hugs between Callahan and Shields or Callahan and Phil Cardarella). Callahan eventually sat beside state Rep. John Burnett whose absent (and we're told ailing) opponent J.J. Rizzo sought this week a recount since he's down by just 14 votes.

  Sanders is now so popular that some feathers were ruffled when people were unable to sit at his table. And with his 65 percent vote in hand, he tossed his own red meat to the crowd when he said Republican Sen. Jim Talent lacked, er, talent and didn't have Claire's "intelligence." Oh yeah, and he called Republican Gov. Matt Blunt disgraceful.

  In the spirit of Democratic unity, former judge Albert Riederer made a point of shaking the hand of Sanders' campaign manager, Calvin Williford. Riederer, of course, wrote in a Wheeler mailer, "I am so sorry to see the unfair and insensitive negative advertisement being aired by Mike Sanders. Given the opportunity, no ethical person would have approved this advertisement." (St. Louis-area Rep. Sam Page who also chided Sanders in the mailer recently sent Sanders a congratulatory note but offered no apology). Williford on Saturday accepted Riederer's handshake but his clenched smile screamed that some wounds haven't healed quite yet.

  Speaking of screaming, that can only describe KC Councilwoman Saundra McFadden-Weaver's opening and closing prayers. Because of the distortion from the microphone, one of her colleagues even mockingly covered one of his ears during her invocation. Then Cleaver in his speech, Cleaver briefly out-yelled McFadden-Weaver. That is until McFadden-Weaver's lengthy benediction, which had the microphone reverbing the entire time. One elected official complained of a splitting headache, others openly rolled their eyes or shook their heads (during the prayer!!) and one Eastern Jackson Co. committeewoman afterward demanded that rally organizers never again ask McFadden-Weaver to give a prayer.

  Now that's unity!

Posted by DeAnn Smith   

Claire, the Rev. brunching their way to unity

    State Auditor Claire McCaskill and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver will headline Saturday morning's "unity rally" for the Jackson County Democratic Party.

   The Dynasty-like catfights during the Democratic primary for the Jackson County executive will be formally put behind the party at this breakfast, which incumbent Katheryn Shields, winner Mike Sanders and vanquished foe Charles Wheeler will attend. Other candidates up and down the ticket as well as party leaders will also be there.

  If you want to attend the event at 9:30 a.m. at the Ararat Temple in south Kansas City, call Lanna Ultican at (816) 228-9317. Tickets are $25 each and you have until 5 p.m. Thursday to make your reservation. Doors open at 9 a.m.

  Bon appetit!

Posted by DeAnn Smith  

The new boss lady of stadium construction

  Today's Star includes a profile of Gayle Holliday who has been tasked with ensuring that women and minorities get their fair share of construction work at the Truman Sports Complex.

   Just how beloved and respected is Holliday? When I called Emanuel Cleaver's office for a canned statement about Holliday, I didn't get one. Within a few hours, Cleaver himself rang me up to laud his boss and friend. (She's head of the church's HR committee that supervises Cleaver and the church's staff. So that makes her his boss.) And when Steve Glorioso got wind of my story, he made sure I got a comment from Mayor Kay Barnes.

   Speaking of Cleaver, he and his wife, Dianne, must be beaming with pride today. Aaron Barnhart tells you why here.

Posted by DeAnn Smith

House leaders stall Cleaver measure

   Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver thought his bill to limit the types of cars members of Congress could lease at taxpayer's expense would be debated today on the House floor. That's because the Rules Committee said that it was one of seven amendments that could be considered for a spending bill.

   Sorry, Rev.

   A bit of parliamentary maneuvering on the part of Republicans left all seven amendments hanging. The bill will be voted on without any of them being discussed.

   Read more about it this weekend in The Star.

Posted by Matt Stearns 3:40 p.m.