GOP committeepeople and county chairs that are contemplating setting up a website for their local group would be wise to take a look at a certain re-launched Missouri website. To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

The dominant culture in every society perpetuates its reign by writing its own version of history -- by telling its own dominant narrative. Will the attempts to turn Maida Coleman into a caricature succeed, or will the Democratic party's base choose to create its own history next August? To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

Using their own criteria, Missouri Democrats' ideal candidate for state auditor should be Sen. Maida Coleman. So why don't they avoid a costly primary and rally around her? (Suggestion for my Democratic friends: Instead of immediately questioning my argument because of who I am, you would be better off addressing the issues I bring up.) To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

St. Louis Area Young Republicans host a discussion on stem cell research; a Missouri newspaper debuts a crime blog; and Republicans hold on to a state Senate seat while swapping House seats with the Dems. To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

Let's face it: Republicans are getting beat in St. Louis County. Demographic trends have not been kind over the last decade; what's a Republican to do? Some suggest that statewide GOP candidates follow the 2004 Blunt model and spend time turning out votes elsewhere. What does all this mean for GOP activists in St. Louis, Kansas City, and other areas where Dems dominate? John Winston, Chairman of the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee, shares his thoughts on what Republican activists and party leaders should do. Also: Which Republican will take Rep. Jodi Stefanick's spot in the Missouri Legislature? To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

Most of us know where the Missouri Democratic Party and the Missouri Republican Party tend to get their money; what many people don't know is where they spend it. You can find information about state party spending by using the Missouri Ethics Commission website: http://www.moethics.state.mo.us. The Missouri Dems' MEC ID# is C000960 and the Missouri Republican Party's MEC ID# is C000953. To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

Is Maida Coleman a candidate for state auditor? Today's AP and St. Louis Post-Dispatch pieces tell two different stories. Meanwhile, auditor candidates Susan Montee, Jack Jackson, and John Loudon have released their campaign finance reports: What do the reports say? The Republican candidates should begin practicing their answer to a question they're certain to encounter many times on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Jim Talent and his Democratic opponent, Claire McCaskill, have released their fundraising numbers: What, if anything, do those numbers mean? To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. For more information on the candidates and groups mentioned this week, visit www.johncombest.com. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

Missouri plays host to a few nationally-known conservatives next week: Who, when, and where? And how will the recent focus on Claire McCaskill's personal finances affect our GOP candidates throughout the 2006 and 2008 election cycles? To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. For more information on the candidates and groups mentioned this week, visit www.johncombest.com. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

The 10 Combest Campaign Commandments. Dedicated to campaign veterans: Since you can't say it, I said it for you. To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. For more information on the candidates and groups mentioned this week, visit www.johncombest.com. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

As candidates spend the week dialing for dollars, Dems are expected to get a new contestant in the race to replace Claire McCaskill as auditor. St. Louis County Republicans gather to remember the late Rep. Richard Byrd, and Young Republican groups in Kansas City and St. Louis are hosting local radio personalities at their monthly meetings. To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. For more information on the candidates and groups mentioned this week, visit www.johncombest.com. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.