SHOW ME STATE BLOCKING CAMPAIGN: The blockbuster democracy world is afire with reports that Lee Albright and his firm National Petition Management have been hired to lead a blocking campaign against the signature gathering for Ward Connerly's anti-affirmative action initiative in Missouri. The Wall Street Journal publishes an opinion piece that provides a decent overview -- but with an over-the-top spin that suggests that blocking campaigns are way out of bounds.

The truth about blocking campaigns is: in almost any form they take, they are a waste of time and money. A well-funded, well-organized signature effort is almost always going to qualify, blockers or not. The physical intimidation -- often standing around looking menacing or screaming at signature gatherers and voters -- used by blockers can slow gathering and raise the costs, but in my experience, they rarely stop it. One form of blocking campaign that is permitted in some states and cities -- a signature gathering effort in which people sign up to have their signatures taken off petitions -- have had limited effectiveness at slowing things down. People in the blockbuster democracy biz know all this, and as a result, most blocking campaigns don't have much muscle or money behind them. They are part of the show, the public relations back-and-forth of initiative campaigns that rely on claims the other side is abusing the process. ("I am shocked, shocked to hear of this despicable campaign to block our initiative which seeks only to enshrine truth, justice and the Americna way in the constitution of our humble state").

ARKANSAS CHURCHES RALLY AGAINST LOTTERY: The IRS in recent years has investigated churches that involve themselves in political activity. But that's not stopping Arkansas churches from organizing against a state lottery proposed by the lieutenant governor.

PETE'S DOMAIN: Former Gov. Pete Wilson opposes Prop 98, the first of the two eminent domain initiatives on this June's California ballot. Prop. 98 is backed by property owners and taxpayer groups, and the opposition of a prominent Republican -- even if it's a relatively moderate governor who is not particularly popular -- is a bit of a blow.

CAN'T ANYBODY IN COLORADO GET ALONG? There's a dust-up now between a Republican Senate candidate and pro-lifers about the candidate's attempts to remain neutral on the state's "personhood" initiative, one of the newest genre of anti-abortion measures.

THIS 'NO' CAMPAIGN IS ARMED: North Dakota hunters are ramping up their campaign against an initiative that would prohibit so-called "high fence" hunting at game and elk preserves.