Missouri Senator Roy Blunt says the race for the Republican presidential nomination could still be in play in March when Missouri holds its caucus. But before that, Missouri will hold a meaningless presidential primary on Feb. 7.
Blunt, a Republican, says at a time when the state is trying to save money, a primary that has no binding impact should have been eliminated.
"But we're going to have it," Blunt said. "And that February primary may give some guidance to people going to the March caucuses."
Rules set by the Republican and Democratic parties dictate that only Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada can hold primaries in February; all other states are supposed to wait until March or later.
Missouri lawmakers were prepared to move back the state's primary from Feb. 7 to March 6 to comply, but the legislation stalled in the Missouri Senate.
County level caucuses will be held March 17.
Meanwhile, the nation's sitting president will give the annual State of the Union address tonight.
Among the guests at tonight's address will be Debbie Bosanek, the secretary of billionaire Warren Buffet.
In his speech, President Obama is expected to highlight Buffet's complaint that the tax code is unfair because Buffet pays a lower tax rate than Bosanek.
Blunt says that Buffet's argument as the White House explains it is a joke.
"And everybody that understands tax policy knows it's a joke," Blunt said. "Let's see if the President makes it less than a joke or just tries to expand on the trick this plays on the American people by thinking that Warren Buffet's tax rate has anything to do with the top tax rate on earned income."
Blunt says the question is: should you have a different rate for investment income than for income earned from a pay check?
You can join us for live coverage of the State of the Union address starting tonight at 8 p.m.
