I'll drink to that....
A-B drops support of Holden over guns
By Jo Mannies ©2003
Post-Dispatch Political Correspondent
10/01/2003, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Post-Dispatch Political Correspondent
10/01/2003
Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., the top corporate player in Missouri politics, is no
longer backing Gov. Bob Holden - in large part because of their differences over
concealed weapons.
Republican and Democratic sources say the brewery's decision not to support the
governor's re-election next year is highly unusual in light of its long-standing
reputation as a donor which gives generously to both parties and their
candidates, regardless of their views.
Before Holden vetoed the bill last summer, sources say, a brewery lobbyist
showed up at the governor's office to tell him that such action would end the
long-standing support he'd enjoyed from Anheuser-Busch and its executives.
Holden confirmed that position later in phone conversations with Anheuser-Busch
Cos. Chairman August A. Busch III and corporate group vice president Stephen K.
Lambright, sources said.
The brewery wouldn't confirm or deny the account, and the governor's office
declined to comment. But Republican and Democratic sources familiar with the
incident say it's among several recent dealings between the brewery and top
state officials that underscore Anheuser-Busch's strong support for the bill to
allow most Missourians the right to carry concealed weapons.
The Legislature overrode Holden's veto last month, and the measure will become
law Oct. 11.
"This is a huge deal for Mr. Busch," said one high-level political source.
Several who know Busch say he's an avid sportsman who also has strong concerns
about personal security.
The brewery's decision could mean a big financial loss for Holden's re-election
campaign. In his bid for governor in 2000, documents show that Holden received
at least $50,000 from various Anheuser-Busch entities or executives. His
Republican opponent, Jim Talent, received a similar amount.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Democrat challenging Holden, disputes any ties
between concealed weapons and the support she is getting from the brewery. The
matter didn't come up in her initial meeting recently with Busch and brewery
executives, she said. "My sense was ... there wasn't one issue or two issues
driving their decision."
But after that meeting, an Anheuser-Busch official telephoned McCaskill to ask
her position on concealed carry. "I told him that as a former prosecutor, I
never thought it was a good idea," she said. "I also said that my focus now has
changed, and that I want to work to make sure the restrictions (in the new law)
are enforced."
The brewery declined to confirm or deny the accounts of its dealings with Holden
and McCaskill. It also wouldn't comment on who it was supporting for governor.
In a written statement attributed to Lambright, the company said: "If such
conversations occur between Anheuser-Busch and elected officials, they are
considered private, and it is not our policy to comment on private
conversations."
A spokesman later said the brewery would offer no further comment on its stance
regarding concealed weapons.
In 1999, the brewery backed the concealed-carry measure - known as Proposition B
- which Missouri voters narrowly rejected because of overwhelming opposition in
urban and suburban areas.
In a statement at the time, Lambright explained that the company had always
supported responsible gun ownership. "For several years, rumors have been
perpetuated among consumers that Anheuser-Busch supports gun control
legislation. ... For some consumers and retail customers, hearing this rumor is
enough for them to boycott our products."
As a rule, issues haven't been the defining factor in Anheuser-Busch's dealings
with candidates. Most major candidates in both parties who run for office make
sure they stop by the brewery's complex on Pestalozzi Street and seek an
audience with top executives. Most of those candidates leave with a generous
donation check, or the promise of one.
Before the state's campaign-donation limits went into effect in the mid-'90s,
the brewery often was the largest single contributor to candidates running for
office.
For more than a decade, Anheuser-Busch has issued the same statement to explain
its reasons for financially backing candidates in both parties. "We support the
political process," the brewery said in virtually identical statements issued in
1992, 1998 and 2002. "... In doing so, we support candidates for local and state
office from both sides of the aisle. ..."
The brewery's political clout is undisputed. Said John Hancock, spokesman for
the Missouri Republican Party: "They are obviously a very important corporate
leader in the state. Their support is extremely important to candidates and
parties."
Added Mike Kelley, spokesman for the Missouri Democratic Party, "Anheuser-Busch
has been a strong supporter of the Missouri Democratic Party and Democratic
candidates, in the past and present."
The spokesmen added that they've seen no difference in dealings with the
brewery. But other sources in both parties disagree, and say that the
concealed-carry issue appears to have taken on more significance - especially in
the brewery's dealings with Holden.
At least two other candidates for other statewide offices say the
concealed-carry issue came up in their meetings with Anheuser-Busch officials in
the last few weeks. One declined to be identified. The other, state Senate
President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said, "We touched on the issue
briefly. ... They knew where I stood."
Kinder, who is running for lieutenant governor, helped amass the Senate support
needed to override Holden's veto. He said the brewery's position was well known
among legislators, and not a major factor among legislators backing the override
effort.
A spokesman for Secretary of State Matt Blunt, a Republican who expects to run
for governor and backs gun rights, said he also has met recently with brewery
officials and has been told that the brewery will support him. Blunt doesn't
recall the concealed-carry issue coming up, the spokesman said. Blunt took no
public position on the bill that Holden vetoed.
McCaskill said Busch and other brewery executives made clear to her that, in the
contest for governor, they may support Blunt as well as her. "Anheuser-Busch is
one of the largest and most important companies in St. Louis," she said. "I
think their support speaks for itself."
Reporter Jo Mannies:
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 314-340-8334
A-B drops support of Holden over guns
By Jo Mannies ©2003
Post-Dispatch Political Correspondent
10/01/2003, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Post-Dispatch Political Correspondent
10/01/2003
Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., the top corporate player in Missouri politics, is no
longer backing Gov. Bob Holden - in large part because of their differences over
concealed weapons.
Republican and Democratic sources say the brewery's decision not to support the
governor's re-election next year is highly unusual in light of its long-standing
reputation as a donor which gives generously to both parties and their
candidates, regardless of their views.
Before Holden vetoed the bill last summer, sources say, a brewery lobbyist
showed up at the governor's office to tell him that such action would end the
long-standing support he'd enjoyed from Anheuser-Busch and its executives.
Holden confirmed that position later in phone conversations with Anheuser-Busch
Cos. Chairman August A. Busch III and corporate group vice president Stephen K.
Lambright, sources said.
The brewery wouldn't confirm or deny the account, and the governor's office
declined to comment. But Republican and Democratic sources familiar with the
incident say it's among several recent dealings between the brewery and top
state officials that underscore Anheuser-Busch's strong support for the bill to
allow most Missourians the right to carry concealed weapons.
The Legislature overrode Holden's veto last month, and the measure will become
law Oct. 11.
"This is a huge deal for Mr. Busch," said one high-level political source.
Several who know Busch say he's an avid sportsman who also has strong concerns
about personal security.
The brewery's decision could mean a big financial loss for Holden's re-election
campaign. In his bid for governor in 2000, documents show that Holden received
at least $50,000 from various Anheuser-Busch entities or executives. His
Republican opponent, Jim Talent, received a similar amount.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Democrat challenging Holden, disputes any ties
between concealed weapons and the support she is getting from the brewery. The
matter didn't come up in her initial meeting recently with Busch and brewery
executives, she said. "My sense was ... there wasn't one issue or two issues
driving their decision."
But after that meeting, an Anheuser-Busch official telephoned McCaskill to ask
her position on concealed carry. "I told him that as a former prosecutor, I
never thought it was a good idea," she said. "I also said that my focus now has
changed, and that I want to work to make sure the restrictions (in the new law)
are enforced."
The brewery declined to confirm or deny the accounts of its dealings with Holden
and McCaskill. It also wouldn't comment on who it was supporting for governor.
In a written statement attributed to Lambright, the company said: "If such
conversations occur between Anheuser-Busch and elected officials, they are
considered private, and it is not our policy to comment on private
conversations."
A spokesman later said the brewery would offer no further comment on its stance
regarding concealed weapons.
In 1999, the brewery backed the concealed-carry measure - known as Proposition B
- which Missouri voters narrowly rejected because of overwhelming opposition in
urban and suburban areas.
In a statement at the time, Lambright explained that the company had always
supported responsible gun ownership. "For several years, rumors have been
perpetuated among consumers that Anheuser-Busch supports gun control
legislation. ... For some consumers and retail customers, hearing this rumor is
enough for them to boycott our products."
As a rule, issues haven't been the defining factor in Anheuser-Busch's dealings
with candidates. Most major candidates in both parties who run for office make
sure they stop by the brewery's complex on Pestalozzi Street and seek an
audience with top executives. Most of those candidates leave with a generous
donation check, or the promise of one.
Before the state's campaign-donation limits went into effect in the mid-'90s,
the brewery often was the largest single contributor to candidates running for
office.
For more than a decade, Anheuser-Busch has issued the same statement to explain
its reasons for financially backing candidates in both parties. "We support the
political process," the brewery said in virtually identical statements issued in
1992, 1998 and 2002. "... In doing so, we support candidates for local and state
office from both sides of the aisle. ..."
The brewery's political clout is undisputed. Said John Hancock, spokesman for
the Missouri Republican Party: "They are obviously a very important corporate
leader in the state. Their support is extremely important to candidates and
parties."
Added Mike Kelley, spokesman for the Missouri Democratic Party, "Anheuser-Busch
has been a strong supporter of the Missouri Democratic Party and Democratic
candidates, in the past and present."
The spokesmen added that they've seen no difference in dealings with the
brewery. But other sources in both parties disagree, and say that the
concealed-carry issue appears to have taken on more significance - especially in
the brewery's dealings with Holden.
At least two other candidates for other statewide offices say the
concealed-carry issue came up in their meetings with Anheuser-Busch officials in
the last few weeks. One declined to be identified. The other, state Senate
President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said, "We touched on the issue
briefly. ... They knew where I stood."
Kinder, who is running for lieutenant governor, helped amass the Senate support
needed to override Holden's veto. He said the brewery's position was well known
among legislators, and not a major factor among legislators backing the override
effort.
A spokesman for Secretary of State Matt Blunt, a Republican who expects to run
for governor and backs gun rights, said he also has met recently with brewery
officials and has been told that the brewery will support him. Blunt doesn't
recall the concealed-carry issue coming up, the spokesman said. Blunt took no
public position on the bill that Holden vetoed.
McCaskill said Busch and other brewery executives made clear to her that, in the
contest for governor, they may support Blunt as well as her. "Anheuser-Busch is
one of the largest and most important companies in St. Louis," she said. "I
think their support speaks for itself."
Reporter Jo Mannies:
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 314-340-8334