Jeff Smith on St. Louis Mag's A-List
"Jefferson City may want to brace itself for some unexpected incoming energy," says the new July issue of St. Louis Magazine. The "Players" section of its "A List" names 4th District senatorial hopeful Jeff Smith as the "up-and-coming politician." (Take that, Mike McMillan!) The publication touts Smith as "new-school in his grassroots tactics, using the Web, coffee klatches and a legion of volunteers; raising his money through small donations; and urging urban renewal, social justice and environmental stewardship." In naming 136 people, places and things on the list, the self-described "premier lifestyle magazine" of St. Louis (with the help of 23 separate reporters) claims not to be "picking favorites," but "singling out the stars."
Perhaps more interesting will be whether (and if so, how) this has any impact on the campaign. While it's nice to have such nice things said about one right before a key election, it might also provide fodder for whispering campaigns and anti-Smith blog commentators who deride the city candidate's Clayton/Ladue background. The magazine touts itself as reaching an audience of "active, affluent adults," with a six-figure median income and nearly a third being millionaires. With a Democratic primary electorate that loves to hate "tax cuts for the rich," this may well be a tempting target for Roosevelt-era class warriors who haven't noticed that rich people in urban areas are now just as likely to be Democrats as Republicans. Moreover, Smith shares the St. Louis Magazine stage with such unLadue notables as DJ Needles, DJ Bishop, Praix, Bennie Smith, Hamiet Bluiett (surprise winner over Erin Bode for jazz artist), City Museum, Venice Cafe, Star Clipper comics, South Side Cyclery, Volpi's, Berix Coffeehouse and Deli, and most ironically, Missouri Baking Co., the business of the family of fellow 4th-District candidate Derio Gambaro.
The smart move would be for Smith not to tout the distinction and for his opponents not to take cheap shots at it.
Other notable A-List inclusions for political junkies include Sam Koplar as "mover and shaker," photographer Suzy Gorman as "image consultant," and The Royale as the best casual bar.
Perhaps more interesting will be whether (and if so, how) this has any impact on the campaign. While it's nice to have such nice things said about one right before a key election, it might also provide fodder for whispering campaigns and anti-Smith blog commentators who deride the city candidate's Clayton/Ladue background. The magazine touts itself as reaching an audience of "active, affluent adults," with a six-figure median income and nearly a third being millionaires. With a Democratic primary electorate that loves to hate "tax cuts for the rich," this may well be a tempting target for Roosevelt-era class warriors who haven't noticed that rich people in urban areas are now just as likely to be Democrats as Republicans. Moreover, Smith shares the St. Louis Magazine stage with such unLadue notables as DJ Needles, DJ Bishop, Praix, Bennie Smith, Hamiet Bluiett (surprise winner over Erin Bode for jazz artist), City Museum, Venice Cafe, Star Clipper comics, South Side Cyclery, Volpi's, Berix Coffeehouse and Deli, and most ironically, Missouri Baking Co., the business of the family of fellow 4th-District candidate Derio Gambaro.
The smart move would be for Smith not to tout the distinction and for his opponents not to take cheap shots at it.
Other notable A-List inclusions for political junkies include Sam Koplar as "mover and shaker," photographer Suzy Gorman as "image consultant," and The Royale as the best casual bar.
posted by St. Louis Oracle | 6/17/2006 08:58:00 PM
7 Comments:
The fact that yet another group recognizes the contributions Jeff Smith has given our city, and the hope he offers as the next Senator from the 4th district, should in no way be mired by the divisive political games being played by some of his opponents. This is just another, in a long list, of publications and organizations that note Jeff Smith's abilities.
Oracle, as an avid political blog reader and commenter, once again you have raised the bar. Your keen analysis and breakdown of the STL's "upper class rag" coming down to all of us peeps is an interesting dichotomy to say the least. Bottom line, Jeff Smith has more than earned this accolade, a couple of votes here or there and he isn't even running in this race, he is representing us in Congress. As one lobbyist asked me recently, where is the Democrats' bench? I firmly believe that Jeff is the exact kind of up and comer we need to represent us and to recruit the new generation of young Democratic candidates. Vote for Jeff Smith!!!
Farm team...that's a wonderful idea!
I'd actually drive up to Jeff City for the session if Suzy Gorman were the State Senator from the 4th.
PE
Hmmm. How about Suzy Gorman vs. Ann Coulter in a steel cage match at The Royale?
Re Josh Wiese's point about the "dems on the bench", ie a farm system of sorts, I have heard of a kid named Don Calloway who practices law at Thompson Coburn downtown. I don't know that he has announced any intentions yet, but he seems like a sharp kid who could be a solid presence in the Smith-Zimmerman mold of rising young progressives.
This from the PD:
'"Even though Jeff looks like he's 12 and sounds like he's been castrated, he was the most brilliant and articulate candidate," quipped Artie Harris, [Jeff] Smith's campaign communication director.'
This just goes to show that the Jeff Smith team is clearly dedicated to honesty and full disclosure. I'd vote for him. It's good to see Jeff supporting the STL 'zine as well. Its subversive satire and thinly veiled lampoonery of the upper-crust is vital for maintaining morale among us poor buggers scrambling for a hand-hold on the last rung of the middle class.
What's that? It isn't satire? But surely all those Botox ads can't be for real?
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