Facing a lawsuit that could have her name removed from the ballot, state Senate candidate Connie Johnson held a press conference this morning which she used to attack her two opponents and pledge that her name would be cleared of charges that she has not lived in the district she is seeking to represent.

UPDATED: Reporters from the Post-Dispatch, KMOX, and KTVI Channel 2 probed Johnson about why she believes she did nothing wrong by moving out of her legislative district and renting out her home.

Here is Johnson’s complete statement:

Thank you all for coming out this morning.

I have called this press conference because I, like most Americans, am tired of the politics of hit and run. I like most Americans am weary of the politics of distraction and dishonesty. And I like most Americans, believe that elected officials have a responsibility to serve their constituents—not themselves.

From the moment I entered this race my opponents have in one fashion or another panicked. Rodney Hubbard panicked and was able to convince his Right wing Republican Billionaire to kick in 50 more contributions—-1/3 of his total and Robin Wright Jones panicked and filed a frivolous lawsuit in order to bring some light and attention to her struggling year old campaign for this Senate Seat.

For the record I am flattered by their fear and I appreciate their recognition of the impact of my candidacy. However, for the record, I am deeply concerned about their tactics and where these tactics take us as a community and as members of the Democratic Party.

Ten months ago I told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that I would not be part of events that would facilitate the elimination of an African American Senate Seat. Ten months ago I said: “As a statesman I have to look at the big picture and the big picture is the importance of preserving history and having African American representation in the 5th Senatorial district.”

As fate or providence would have it, four days before filing closed, the only white Candidate in contention decided not to run. There was now no danger of our community losing representation. So, I had a decision to make—do I now run for this Senate Seat? Do I run for a seat that has been historically, from Jet Banks to Paula Carter, located in the heart of North Saint Louis?

My decision was an easy one—-of course I would run.

I would run because now I would be able to lay my head down at night knowing that not only would my Community be able to ensure African American Representation, but they would now have the choice of the most qualified, principled and credentialed African American Representation.

My decision to run was founded upon a love of community and a passion to ensure equal representation for all. These belief sets are also shared by the Democratic Party.

My opponents however have pounced upon my filing and attempted to use it as a means of distraction from the serious issues that confront our communities.

Downtown St Louis for the past 6 years under the direction and leadership of realtor Robin Wright Jones and the 63rd district, is in the middle of a real estate crisis—unfilled lofts, bankrupt developers, and a huge muddy empty hole in the middle of Ball park village. I have often wondered as Minority Whip, why Ms Wright Jones was missing so many important votes. I now see that she was quite busy—manufacturing stories and crafting frivolous lawsuits.

My other opponent is busy as well—missing votes, currying favor for the opposition and gathering right wing Republican cash.

Unfortunately, in the world of politics from Baraak Obama to Hillary Clinton, money does represent the bulk of the fuel that goes in to a political campaign. Operating on this political theory, my opponents hope that you will be so distracted by their lies and complaints about when I filed or where I live that their actions will hurt my fundraising efforts.

Well, I am here this morning to say enough. We as Democrats have a responsibility to address our serious issues—-not manufacture, because we need money, political opportunities at the expense of the truth and at the expense of our constituents.

To this end I will have had my Attorney file the necessary motions that will put an end to this frivolous lawsuit filed by my desperate opponent.

Mark my words—I will be vindicated—these lies will not stand and I will be on the ballot in August.

Is Hillary Clinton trying to sabotage Barack Obama so she can come back in 2012?

I believe so.

Respected Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) thinks so:

The Post-Dispatch’s Bill McCulloch believes it too:

It became clear a couple of months ago that Barack Obama was going to get the nomination. Given the way the delegates are allotted on a proportional basis rather than on a winner-take-all basis, Obama’s lead became insurmountable during his winning streak. And there was never a realistic hope that the superdelegates would overrule the will of the voters. If they did, there would be chaos. The party would risk alienating its single most faithful bloc — African-Americans.

So let’s play chess. Let’s look ahead. Let’s assume that Obama wins the nomination. If you are the Clintons, what then?

You’ve got to hope that he loses the general election. If he wins in 2008, he’ll run for re-election in 2012. That means the next chance for Hillary would be 2016. She’ll be 69 by the time that election comes around. (She’ll be 61 in October of this year.) Chances are, her time will have passed.

So what do you think?

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People will be taking their hopes and frustrations about public education to the streets, rallying against reform efforts that include any kind of privatization.

“Free, public education is the cornerstone of a democracy,” reads the e-flyer. “Public education is under siege by those seeking to privatize it for a profit. Together, we will call for a more equitable system of public education for all and ensure literacy as a basic civil right.”

The Defend Public Education Rally will take place Wednesday, April 30, starting at 6:00 PM at the Old Courthouse downtown. It will feature Thunderheart, a group of traditional Native American drummers, and speakers, including:

• Rebecca Rogers, Literacy for Social Justice Teacher Research Group, Acting for a Better Community Committee, Professor of Education, UMSL
• Ora Lewis-Clark, YMCA Literacy Programs, Advocate for Adult Literacy Education
• Donna Jones, Parent, member of the Elected School Board, St. Louis Public Schools
• Chad Beffa, SLPS parent, public school advocate, and candidate for State Rep (67th District)
• Byron Clemens, Regional Vice President, AFT Missouri
• Jackie Taylor, Literacy President Group
• Chuc Smith, Instead of War and Retired SLPS Math Teacher
• Cynthia Peters, World Education and The Change Agent