McCaskill Ousts Holden in Missouri Governor's Race

[dolstein]

State Auditor Claire McCaskill has defeated Gov. Bob Holden in Missouri's Democratic primary.

McCaskill had 53 percent of the the vote to Holden's 43.6 percent, with more than 60 percent of the state's precincts reporting.

. . .

McCaskill's commanding lead in the Kansas City area and in much of outstate Missouri was too much for Holden to overcome in St. Louis. He led in the city, 27,906 to 22,985, with two-thirds of the precincts reporting.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Election+2004/8CF61C38A1065B0986256EE600053FDC?OpenDocument&Headline=McCaskill+ousts+Holden+in+gov's+race

[bluestateguy]

1. Better to have a stronger Democrat, rather than a weakened incumbent

I exepect Governor Holden to endorse the party nominee now.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Absolutely!

He has a responsibility.

[demgrrrll]

3. Holden gave a great concession speech. He stressed party

unity and said he was meeting with C M tomorrow. She stressed that she was going to bring a positive message forward in her campaign.
So far so good. Pubs will use their negative ads against each other I suppose.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Holden was far more than decent about the loss.

He's a genuinely fine person. Claire McCaskill has shown an agressiveness I have NEVER seen in any politician by going after a Governor of her own party as if he were her worst enemy.

Holden's commercials concerning McCaskill were very moderate. I don't think there's a thing the Republicans would take from them to use against her which isn't widely known already.

There are two Representatives' seats open from Missouri, too: Dick Gephart's, and Karen McCarthy's. Rev. Emanuel Cleaver (ex-Mayor of Kansas City) will be running for McCarthy's place. He has TONS of support.

Sure hopes something works out O.K. for Missouri. A lot of luck would help.


Claire McCaskill voting Tuesday.

[demgrrrll]

9. At the end of the campaign he did send out some beer and guns

fliers that were fairly hard hitting. But I agree that his campaign was not as negative as hers. I didn't think her acceptance speech was especially gracious either but that is just my opinion. I will vote for her in November but I don't like what she did. There are those who feel that Holden did not have a chance and this was the only thing that might possibly work for a Democratic win in November.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. kick

[catmandu57]

6. Bob Holden had the misfortune

to be govenor at the wrong time. He followed a popular and effective govenor, was saddled with a rabid repuke govt. an economic downturn, and was percieved as weak and very beatable.

[Tempest]

7. The real story behind the election

Look at the total numbers.

Democrats are voting in much higher numbers than Repugs.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/statewideresults.asp?eid=116

An insight of things to come?

[MO_Dem]

8. I wonder

how many republicans chose a Democratic ballot? Probably no way of ever knowing?

[Tempest]

10. Does Missouri have an open primary?

Would have to know that first.

[MO_Dem]

11. Yes,

it does.

[CADem]

12. Yes

/eom

[Terran]

13. Yes, it does..

...and I suspect a lot of Repugs picked up Dem ballots. We do have a strong history of electing Dems to statewide offices while still leaning right for president and other issues; but the numbers didn't make sense to me. Far far more Dems voting than Republicans? That seems unlikely.

Anyway, the candidate I've been working for, Liz Hagar-Mace, narrowly won her primary for state rep in my district (which encompasses most of Jefferson City). If any of y'all feel like contributing to a very progressive Dem who's worked on social issues and homelessness for many years, please go to her web site: www.lizhagar-mace.com

Dirk

[UTUSN]

14. Kick for the Ever Absent Dolstein n/t