Democratic fight has parallels to '80

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The situation involved an incumbent Democratic governor who after a troubled first term was considered vulnerable for re-election and another statewide officeholder of the same party who was vocally critical of the chief executive.

While that description could apply to the anticipated showdown between Gov. Bob Holden and State Auditor Claire McCaskill in next year's Democratic gubernatorial primary, it was also the case in 1980.

That year, two-term State Treasurer James Spainhower attempted to claim the party's nomination from Gov. Joseph Teasdale.

Spainhower, now 74 and living in retirement in Rogers, Ark., said he personally liked Teasdale but found his performance as governor lacking.

"We just needed a change, and I wanted it within our party," Spainhower said. "When he first started out as governor, I thought he was very inept. I think he was in a state of shock when he was elected."

Incumbent Missouri governors have only been eligible for re-election since Warren Hearnes won a second term in 1968. To date, the Teasdale-Spainhower primary marks the only time a legitimate contender challenged a sitting governor of his own party.

Teasdale prevailed with 54 percent of the vote. However, he narrowly lost in the general election to Republican Kit Bond, who was making a political comeback after Teasdale ousted him from the Governor's Mansion in 1976.

'I raised a lot of doubt'

Spainhower said the primary weakened Teasdale politically and made it easier for Bond to regain office.

"I think I raised a lot of doubt in people's minds, particularly the minds of independents," Spainhower said.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Teasdale, now 64 and a Kansas City lawyer, agreed that when the primary was over he was in obvious trouble.

"If he would not have run, our party would have been united," Teasdale said. "And as it was with Jim, it was very fractured."

However, the former adversaries' recollections of the tone of the campaign differ.

Teasdale said Spainhower had no substantive issues and relied on personal attacks.

"He got personal, got pretty insulting about my work habits and going fishing too much," Teasdale said. "I don't remember a major issue that he had."

But Spainhower said the campaign never turned bitter.

"Teasdale, more or less, tried to disregard me, and that is the way to run a campaign if you are an incumbent," Spainhower said.

Indeed, Holden usually shrugs off questions about McCaskill's potential designs on his job.

Spainhower said taking on an incumbent, especially in a primary, is immensely difficult. While some segments of the Democratic Party supported his bid, others mobilized in opposition, he said.

Interestingly, his political adviser was Dick Morris, who later gained notoriety as a consultant to President Bill Clinton.

"In retrospect, I think he gave me a lot of bum advice," Spainhower said.

Though he had challenged the party leader and failed, Spainhower said his subsequent departure from politics was made by choice.

"I don't think I came out of the campaign with any negative tarnish, but perhaps that is my own ego talking," Spainhower said. "I kind of had it with politics and always wanted to be a college president."

He became president of what was then the School of the Ozarks in Branson before serving in the same post at Lindenwood College in St. Charles until retiring.

Holden a Spainhower aide

Though McCaskill hasn't formally announced her candidacy for governor, she has been active raising money and trying to build support. According to finance disclosure records, she had $1 million in her campaign account as of June 30. Holden, however, had more than twice as much money on hand.

By coincidence, Holden was a key staff member on Spainhower's gubernatorial campaign. Holden got his start in state government as an aide to Spainhower in the treasurer's office and would later serve two terms in the post himself before becoming governor.

Spainhower said he has high regard for both his former aide and McCaskill.

"I'm sorry to see her challenge Bob, but I understand the political reality -- she sees an opening," Spainhower said. "She is a capable woman, and I think she would be a fine governor. This will be an interesting race."

Teasdale said there are parallels between the current situation and the 1980 primary campaign. He said Spainhower was a formidable and well-known opponent with a large political following. McCaskill, who was easily elected to her second term as auditor last year, brings those same qualities to her campaigns, he said.

"She is a good candidate, so she represents a real threat to the governor," McCaskill said.

However, he is concerned the Democratic Party could be split, as it was in 1980, and give Secretary of State Matt Blunt, the presumed Republican nominee, an edge.

"The two Democrats will battle it out, spend all their money, and the Republican will sit back and horde all of his money," Teasdale said.

Missouri Republican Party spokesman Scott Baker said a family fight among Democrats could prove a boon for the GOP.

"An expensive Democratic primary would certainly put us at an advantage, there is no doubt," Baker said. "Any time there is strife on the other side, we don't mind."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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