DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HOPEFULS STAY UPBEAT AS PRIMARY NEARS

In brief stops at Cape Girardeau to wind down their campaigns, the two leading Democrats for governor agreed their race is close, that many voters are still making up their minds and that people will base their decision on issues of leadership and vision.

"This whole thing comes down to who do the people trust to lead them to the future they want," said Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan at an airport news conference Friday.

St. Louis Mayor Vince Schoemehl, Carnahan's main opponent, was in Cape Girardeau for a Saturday afternoon rally. He said, "Over the next 72 hours many people will be making up their minds on who to vote for. I think they will decide on the basis of quality of leadership and an agenda that will move this state forward again."

Carnahan was greeted by about 20 supporters, including several of his area coordinators. Schoemehl, whose Saturday schedule began at 5:30 a.m. and was to end with a 10:30 p.m. speech, was greeted by about 70 supporters, scattered from many parts of Southeast Missouri.

Another candidate involved in a hot primary also visited Cape Girardeau Friday to answer allegations made against him in television ads. John Hall of St. Louis, who is battling Rolla attorney David Steelman for the Republican nomination for attorney general, said his record is being distorted by Steelman.

Carnahan arrived 20 minutes early Friday and visited with people around the airport. Carnahan appeared upbeat, but in his brief remarks was cautious about Tuesday's primary.

Schoemehl was also careful not to appear overconfident. "Our polls are showing a steady climb among likely voters next Tuesday," he said.

Both candidates referred to ads the other had run they felt were misleading, but neither expressed bitterness toward the other.

In his remarks, Carnahan echoed many of the same themes he had during the campaign, declaring: "I'm tired of do-nothing government." He also talked again of the "Missouri that can be."

The time spent on fundraising during the campaign and the $12 million gubernatorial primary in both parties have convinced him that there is a need for campaign finance reform, Carnahan said.

He noted that while he will spend about $2 million, Schoemehl will spend $4 million.

Schoemehl focused on the same general issues as Carnahan, but added the need to promote the use of ethanol and alternative energy sources in the state.

The mayor also defended his record in St. Louis and admitted that making tough decisions every day angers people. "We set an agenda, we took the resources of the city, went to work and got the job done," said Schoemehl.

Schoemehl said he disagreed with Carnahan's call for a $200 million tax increase for education. While Schoemehl said he agrees more money is needed for education, he warned, "You just can't raise taxes to meet every need."

Hall said Steelman's television ads are designed to "suggest I don't have any (courtroom) experience at all, which is ridiculous."

"My experience has been in federal court, where David Steelman has little or none."

Hall conceded he had never tried a case in a Missouri state court, but pointed out most of the complicated cases in the attorney general's office are handled in federal court. These include cases on navigation rights along the Missouri River, death penalty appeals and the desegregation case.

"The job I am seeking is to be the state's top law enforcement officer," said Hall. "I've got experience as a prosecutor; he has none."

Steelman ads have also charged that Hall has tried only nine cases as a prosecutor in federal court and challenged Hall's declaration that he had never lost a case.

Hall presented a list of over 50 cases he had tried in court and claimed that Steelman was calling three cases losses where a technical error had been made by the judge in sentencing. But Hall said the convictions remained.

He also charged that Steelman had various conflicts of interest as a private attorney, including his role both suing and defending the state's Second Injury Fund.