Talent, McCaskill split on four hot issues
2006-09-25
Source: STL Today.com
email this
print this
del.icio.us
digg this
rss feedMissouri's U.S. Senate candidates prefer to talk publicly about headline-grabbing issues such as the war in Iraq or immigration.
But behind the scenes, both sides acknowledge that many voters are drawn to the polls by the less-discussed topics that have been roiling political waters for years: guns, gays, God and abortion.
The political clout of the so-called "wedge issues" is frequently higher in nonpresidential election years such as this one, when voter turnout is lower. Voters passionate about one or more of those issues often can be relied upon to cast ballots for aligned candidates and causes. Less engaged voters may be more inclined to stay home.
That is why allies of U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and his Democratic rival, state Auditor Claire McCaskill, are keeping count of the pro-Talent billboards erected by pro-gun groups, and taking note of the crowd size at recent events organized by abortion opponents or those advancing abortion rights.
And this year in Missouri, there's another volatile social issue tossed into the mix: Amendment 2, the ballot proposal to protect all forms of embryonic stem cell research allowed under federal law. Embryonic stem cells can develop into other kinds of cells or tissues, which some scientists believe could lead to cures for diseases. Critics question such claims, and equate the destruction of human embryos with abortion.
Click here to see the full article.
