Experiences in life, politics fuel debate

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Republican Matt Blunt and Democrat Claire McCaskill clashed during their second televised debate Friday over who has the most pertinent experience in life and as a state officeholder to serve as Missouri's next governor.

Blunt, 33, touted his efforts to reduce the staff and budget of the secretary of state's office. He also noted the passage of new elections laws, including provisional ballots and expanded voter identification requirements.

McCaskill, the state auditor, emphasized her role in getting new laws or policies enacted after audit recommendations -- such an improved process for handling child abuse tips -- and her willingness to challenge special interests. McCaskill, 51, said she also made the "ultimate" challenge of her political party by running against, and defeating, Gov. Bob Holden in the August primary.

"I challenged a sitting incumbent because I believe we are going in the wrong direction," she said.

McCaskill has made an issue of Blunt's youth in the past. But this time it was Blunt who raised the issue.

"It's true that I'm 33," he said in his closing statement. "But age is no indicator of how effective I'm going to be."

Blunt pointed to Kit Bond, who was younger than Blunt when he was elected Missouri governor in 1972.

When given a chance to ask Blunt a question, McCaskill took aim at her opponent's tenure as secretary of state, Missouri's chief election official. She said Blunt hasn't done enough to address the state's election problems, noting that Missouri was singled out by nonpartisan watchdog Electionline.org as one of three states most likely to have chaos on election night.

Blunt said his office has reformed the election system by making the ballot accessible to citizens and running problem-free elections.

"I'm committed to defending the integrity of the election process," he said.

When it was his turn to ask a question, Blunt asked McCaskill about her opposition to the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in August.

McCaskill said she opposes gay marriage but believed the amendment was unnecessary because the issue is addressed in state law.

"I just didn't think it was an appropriate thing to put in our constitution," she said.

Blunt and McCaskill each hoped their second, and final, televised debate would give them an edge in the Nov. 2 election. The two, who are in a race that public opinion polls show to be virtually even, met Friday morning in St. Louis for a wide-ranging radio interview.