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Blunt, Bond underscore common clash with Democratic health-care plan

By Jo Mannies, Beacon political reporter

Updated 7:00 am Tue., 3.9.10

U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., and the man he hopes will succeed him -- U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield -- have apparently joined forces with a new common theme: "Serving Missouri Together."

A release featuring the logo and a joint header ("Congressman Roy Blunt, Senator Kit Bond") announced that the duo will hold a joint press conference call Wednesday morning on President Barack Obama's health-care plan, hours before the president delivers a speech on the subject at St. Charles High School.

The Bond-Blunt news conference comes just minutes before a like-minded conservative health-care forum gets underway at the St. Charles Convention Center, organized by U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Town and Country.

It's not unusual for two or more officials in the same party to hold joint events or news conferences. But rarely do they create a special logo for the occasion.

However, Blunt spokeswoman Burson Snyder said the congressman has used that logo at least since 2003 on joint announcements or events with Bond or now-former Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo. Snyder also emphasized that the joint logo is for official congressional business -- and not for campaign events.

Still, the logo does underscore Bond's support for Blunt's campaign quest to succeed him.

Bond indicated as much less than two weeks ago during his party's statewide Lincoln Days.

To that end, Missourians might see more official use of the "Servicing Missouri Together'' theme over the coming months.

Bond and his Democratic counterpart, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., have gotten along well. But this fall's elections could test those ties, as the two duel on the campaign trail for their favored candidates.

McCaskill made clear at last weekend's Democrat Days that she plans to do all she can to help the chief Democratic contender for the U.S. Senate, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

That includes Wednesday night's fund-raising event downtown featuring Obama, where the money raised will be split between McCaskill and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is expected to use its take to help Carnahan.

Originally posted 5:43 am Tue., 3.9.10

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