This article appeared first in the January 30, 2012 print edition of the St. Louis Metro Evening Whirl. For this weeks news Click Here for a location near you!
The Whirl's Political "POP":
(L/R) Judge Jimmie Edwards, Congressman Russ Carnahan, Ald. Tammika Hubbard and Ald. Prez Lewis Reed
Is Russ Carnahan A Stubborn Missouri Mule?
If you think U.S. Congressman Russ Carnahan is crying in his Budweiser, or Ripple, after being blown out of his seat due to redistricting, well think again. For those of us who tuned-in to all of the television and cable news networks to hear U.S. President Barack Obama gave his third hyper-impressive State of the Union address to a Joint Session of Congress, Mr. Carnahan’s image was all over the place.
While the latest redistricting pits Carnahan against Congressman William L. Clay, Jr., and while many pro-Blacks are encouraging Carnahan to hit the road and pack-up his “shit” and head west or southwest—just get the hell out of dodge—he is apparently as stubborn as a Missouri mule. While he got the memo, in all of its ugly and divisive form, he apparently believes that it was written in Greek. The Carnahan name is just as respected in the City, as “Clay” and more so than in the state of Missouri.
The perfect solution is to hopefully have everyone win-win, through the courts, because both Congressmen have different and much-needed attributes, especially if U.S. President Obama takes back his White House, and if the “Republican’s Circus With No Purpose” continues via debates—Mr. Obama will win the election hands down, at the horror of millions of conservatives.
Congressman Carnahan comes from a political dynasty which was headed by a much beloved Democratic MO Gov. Mel Carnahan, who died in a plane crash, where his state funeral made national news and in death, he beat then Republican extremist John Ashcroft for his U.S. Senate seat; and the late governor‘s wife, Jean didn’t “let the fire go out,” she took her husband’s seat through the wishes of a Democratic acting-governor’s appointment. Then there is a sassy sista, longtime Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan.
During several TV camera pans, Carnahan could be seen in the Dems’ den clapping, while clinging to ever word of President Obama’s vocalizations. Afterwards for those officials running for re-election, a stone’s throw away from the State of the Union, C-SPAN interviewed Mr. Carnahan LIVE along with a herd of Republican and Democratic stars.
Although, the idiot and/or fatigued, ‘journalist’ while introducing Mr. Carnahan, said that “both of his parents had been senators,” (but only Jean Carnahan served in the U.S. Senate, alongside senior Republican U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond), regardless, what got our intention wasn’t that he was following the White House play book, but Carnahan specifically emphasized that he was from St. Louis CITY. Russ had dropped his current representation of Jefferson County. This is despite the I.D. on the TV/Cable screen showing St. Louis and Jefferson County.
On Wednesday, the joint congressional tear-fest tribute in the Capitol gave almost continuously thunderous applause to a woman of American courage, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), who announced her retirement after a tragic gunshot to the head, some time ago. She had served five and a half years, representing parts of Tucson, Arizona. Again within 24 hours, Russ Carnahan from “the City” was plastered all over the electronic media standing in line, in the House well, patiently waiting to hug Mrs. Giffords. This time, as in other times, no Congressman Clay was to be found.
When the Mayor’s Business Luncheon was all abuzz with entrepreneurs and corporate executives—you got it—Russ Carnahan was in the house, and attended a private reception of big hitters. Of course, we must note in all fairness, that Clay’s ex-wife, an indefatigable mother and PR executive for SLDC, Ivy Clay was the chief coordinator of the luncheon. We will talk about that conversation at a later date, as Ivy once worked for MultiMedia, and was a great and resourceful asset.
Most notably when the St. Louis Aldermanic winter session had begun, who do you think led the official opening pray—not the traditional clergy member, but U.S. Congressman Carnahan, reportedly at aldermanic prez Lewis Reed’s personal call.
Finally, Tammika Hubbard, a Hubbard political heir-apparent was sworn in after beating the crap out of her two aldermanic opponents. Sitting next to her was Congressman Carnahan and standing next to her in photo ops for the City TV cable station, and the print media—you guessed it, a Missouri Mule—Russ Carnahan.
