First of four 8th district debates kicks off Monday in Cape Girardeau

Three challengers and a 14-year incumbent will face off four times in the next eight days in a series of highly anticipated debates, each hoping to capture the political prize of Missouri's 8th District congressional seat for the U.S. House of Representatives.

And it all starts in Cape Girardeau.

The debates begin at 7 p.m. Monday in the Shuck Recital Hall at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus. The candidates are Larry Bill, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Tommy Sowers and Rick Vandeven. Debates will follow on Wednesday in Poplar Bluff, in Rolla on Oct. 17 and in Park Hills on Oct. 18.

Sowers, a Democrat, is seen as incumbent Republican Emerson's top challenger, though the most recent poll by the Emerson campaign shows Emerson well ahead. Both said last week they were eager to discuss the issues at the debates, which serve as a final push before the Nov. 2 election.

"What's important in these debates is to really focus on the plans for the future," Sowers said. "The congresswoman has to answer some questions."

For example, Sowers pointed out that the district has slipped from the 12th to the eighth poorest district in the country.

"Not only have we not heard a plan, but we haven't heard what she's done in the past to reverse that trend," he said.

Having said that, Sowers said the debates really aren't about Emerson anyway.

"I think the voters are tired of party politics," said Sowers, a former Green Beret. "They're really looking for new blood. This is more an anti-incumbent sentiment than an anti-party sentiment."

For her part, Emerson, first elected in 1996, said she is looking forward to again relaying her message of stopping the trends of big-spending big government and dangerous erosions to individual liberties and personal freedoms.

"But obviously, the No. 1 issue is the economy," she said. "Surely, it should be the primary issue in the debates."

Other issues she hopes to talk about include health care, taxes and economic development factors that may be an impediment to attracting new industry.

Despite her lead in her campaign's most recent poll, Emerson said doesn't see the debates as a chance to wrap up the election.

"History and the facts will tell you debates do not make any difference at all at the end of the day as far as changing people's minds," she said. "What it does is give the public a forum to see how the candidates engage one another and see if they're respectful or if they attack."

The other two candidates, Libertarian Rick Vandeven and independent Larry Bill, have different expectations for the debates. Bill, of Jackson, said he believes he does have a chance to win, while Vandeven said he's trying to get his message out and help his party.

"I just want to make sure Libertarians have an opportunity to vote for somebody who thinks like them," said Vandeven, of Chaffee. "I'm realistic. I know what's going to happen. I'm going to take advantage of these debates and maybe change a few minds."

Bill, a veteran and business owner, said it would take someone not affiliated with either of the major parties to implement real change.

"These debates are critical," Bill said. "I think they're going to really give us a boost."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO