Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill is touring Missouri this primary day, urging voters to make up their minds in November based on upcoming debates and pledging to residents in southwest Missouri that she will represent them in Washington.
McCaskill began her day by voting with her 18-year-old son in Kirkwood, Mo. "I looked over his shoulder, and he did vote for his mother," McCaskill told reporters at a poll site visit at Rountree Elementary School this morning.
McCaskill said she expects to win more votes than Sen. Jim Talent when all is said and done tonight. "I think likely that we will, and frankly sometimes, that means something and sometimes it doesn't," McCaskill said.
She said Democrats are very motivated this primary day. "But frankly I think a lot of independents are motivated and there's nothing like $3 a gallon gasoline to get you motivated to make some changes," McCaskill said.
McCaskill said she hoped that the voters would surpass the 26% turnout prediction this primary day. Here in Greene County, Clerk Richard Struckhoff is already reporting that turnout now may be lower than 20%.
"It's sad in a way, while we're losing lives in the Middle East trying to promote democracy, that we have so many people that take ours for granted and won't participate," McCaskill said.
McCaskill will visit Joplin and Nixa before rounding out her day in Springfield at a watch party at Sara Lampe's campaign headquarters at 1448 South Glenstone around 7 p.m.
"I think it's the first time in the history of the state that a Democrat statewide candidate has spent election night outside of Kansas City and St. Louis. It's time," McCaskill said. "If I want to represent all of the state, I darn better get to speak to everybody in the state."
McCaskill said she hopes debates become the turning point in her race with Senator Jim Talent. "My wish for the campaign would be that people would make up their minds based on the debates instead of the ridiculous 30-second commercials that everyone uses," McCaskill said. "If everyone watched the debates and made their decision that way, I'd be very comfortable."
McCaskill said her campaign has been in negotiations with the Talent camp over debates. She is optimistic that the candidates will have at least three televised debates, one in St. Louis, one in Kansas City and one in Springfield. She said a Springfield debate would be important for her to show southwest Missouri voters she wants to fight for them on issues like minimum wage, gas prices and health care.
"I'm there. Count me in on KY3," McCaskill said.
The hottest Democratic primary race in the country today is in Connecticut between anti-war candidate Ned Lamont and former vice-presidential candidate and 3-term Sen. Joe Lieberman. Recent polls show Lamont with a double-digit lead and now there are questions whether Lieberman will go through with a run as an independent if he gets crushed in the primary. I asked McCaskill which candidate she would support.
"That's one I really don't have to make up my mind about. I really don't have to do that," McCaskill replied.
When I asked her which candidate she would rather work with in the Senate, she dodged it again.
"I don't expect anyone in Connecticut to pass judgment on what we're voting on in Missouri today. I know better than to do that," she said.
If Lieberman goes down tonight, expect shockwaves throughout the Democratic party and a new debate to erupt over the war and a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq.
Senator Talent is expected in Springfield by 3:30 this afternoon with a stop at Sequiota Elementary School on South Mentor. He'll then move on to meet with supporters at his Springfield office at 333 Park Central East, Suite 826.
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