RACE FOR GOVERNOR: CARNAHAN OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF HIS CAMPAIGN

Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan declared Friday that he has the "vision, commitment, and experience" to lead Missouri into the 21st century, as he officially launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor.

In a kickoff rally at the Cape airport, attended by about 50 supporters, Carnahan said he believes Missouri has been on the decline the last few years and needs strong leadership to reverse that trend.

"I'm running for governor because I think it is time for Missouri to have a governor who leads," said Carnahan. "It's time to focus on the future and do what it will take to turn the rich possibilities of our state into proud realities."

In his remarks, Carnahan frequently referred to "the Missouri that can be," and contended he has the leadership skills to get the state back on track and addressing pressing needs in areas like education and economic development.

"Missouri's leaders have been sitting idly by, waiting for the future to arrive, providing no direction and offering no vision," said Carnahan. "I'm running for governor because it's time to take charge of Missouri's future again.

"People want direction, common sense, and straight-forward leadership. They have had enough of do-nothing government with political leaders that don't level with them."

Carnahan said he was especially troubled by the fact that many people in the state "have lost faith in the idea that government can help.

"People say they're really sick and tired of do-nothing government, but I believe what they are really tired of are political leaders who won't level with them and who don't deliver what they promise."

As governor, Carnahan contended he would bring integrity, common sense and straightforward leadership to the office.

Carnahan's stop in Cape Girardeau was the eighth of nine he made around the state Thursday and Friday to formally start his campaign. His main challenger for the Democratic nomination is St. Louis Mayor Vince Schoemehl.

This is Carnahan's second try for the governor's chair. In 1984 as state treasurer, he lost the nomination to then-Lt. Gov. Ken Rothman, who lost to Republican John Ashcroft in November. The state constitution prohibits Ashcroft from seeking a third term.

In 1988, Carnahan was elected lieutenant governor and for the last four years, has been the only Democratic statewide elected official.

The 58-year-old candidate served two terms in the Missouri House, elected in 1962 and 1964. He also served one term as majority floor leader. He has served as municipal judge and as president of the Rolla School Board.

Carnahan's father, the late A.S.J. Carnahan, was a member of Congress from the 8th district for 14 years and also served as a delegate to the United Nations and was appointed the first U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Africa by President Kennedy.

Carnahan and his wife Jean have four children: Roger, Russ, and Robin, all attorneys, and Tom, at student at the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School. The two oldest children are in Carnahan's law firm in Rolla.

In reflecting on his career Friday, Carnahan recalled his first campaign at the age of 26 for municipal judge. While campaigning door to door, he noted that one older woman wanted to know what a nice young man like him was doing in politics.

After some quick thinking, Carnahan recalled his words: "I believe that I can make a difference. I still believe that today," he declared.

"Working together, I believe we can build the Missouri that can be," Carnahan added. "I believe vision is the ability to see where we are going, where we want to be, and know what we have to do to get there."

Carnahan stressed his top priorities as governor would be jobs and education, pointing out that you can't talk about one without talking about the other.

"I believe that education is the cornerstone of our future," he remarked.

"Our whole attitude and approach toward education must be revamped. We don't ask nearly enough of our education system - and we have accepted far too little. Maybe it just proves you get what you pay for. Frankly, I'm often amazed that our schools do as well as they do, given the way we're supporting them."

Carnahan pointed out that only nine other states spend less per pupil on elementary and secondary education than Missouri does and only five other states spend less on higher education.

Reducing the state's 25 percent high school dropout rate and tackling the large problem of adult illiteracy are key concerns, Carnahan said.

Other education goals, Carnahan said, would be to reduce elementary class size in grades K-3 to a statewide average of no more than 18 per class; providing full funding to the "Parents as Teachers" program; creation of a public-private partnership for dealing with adult literacy; making public schools safe, drug-free environments; and creating a Universal College Revolving Loan Fund to provide financial help for students who do not quality for traditional aid programs.

Among his goals for boosting economic development, Carnahan said, will be to put together a business crisis strike force to provide immediate recommendations and practical plans for troubled businesses; use state funds to match federal research grants; and provide low interest loans to help Missouri businesses import goods overseas.

In addition, Carnahan said he would be personally involved in the formulation of a "pro-active plan for long range economic development" that is done with input of local governments.

Since 9 of 10 new jobs come from existing businesses, Carnahan said his program would also be aimed to help existing companies expand.