Bellwether Is Hard to Predict
2006-09-20
Source: Roll Call
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rss feedState Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) is articulate, charismatic, intelligent and an effective, hard-nosed politician. But some Missourians who compliment her in one breath will tell you with the next that her liberal stands on key issues could sink her Senate bid on Nov. 7.
That Sen. Jim Talent (R) reflects the majority of Show Me State voters who are culturally and socially conservative - and that he is well regarded and hasn't necessarily committed a fireable offense - are important elements in his favor in a race sure to finish close, no matter the outcome.
"Claire McCaskill has done a good job in the state of Missouri. She's very aggressive. ... Claire would be a good Senator," said Bill Miller, publisher of the Washington Missourian in Washington, a conservative, former farming community 50 miles west of downtown St. Louis that is slowly being suburbanized.
"But Talent's done a good job. Talent is very hard working. I think Claire's got a problem with the fact that she's aligned herself with the national Democratic Party. She's embraced some of their values and some of the things they promote and support, and I think that's going to hurt her in Missouri, frankly."
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