TALENT KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN

Republican candidate for governor Jim Talent has already traveled through all of Missouri's 114 counties, but he is on a formal statewide kickoff campaign tour this weekend.

Talent, who stopped Friday in Cape Girardeau discussed education, transportation and roads, the fight against methamphetamine, and tax relief.

Talent appeared with his wife, Brenda, before more than 100 supporters at the Holiday Inn Friday evening.

"I have traveled to all of Missouri's counties, I have heard in various settings from folks who, like me, believe we can fulfill the promise of Missouri," Talent said.

"We can be better than we've been. We can do more than we've done." he told the Cape Girardeau group which included teachers, farmers, politicians, youngsters and seniors.

The four-term congressman from St. Louis County already has the backing of Missouri's Republican hierarchy and a campaign treasury of almost $3.7 million.

Talent, 43, of Chesterfield, will continue his campaign tour Saturday, at Kirkwood High School, his alma mater in St. Louis County; and in Kansas City and Springfield.

The best-known and best-financed of four GOP candidates for governor, Talent's tour included appearances alongside fellow U.S. Reps. Kenny Hulshof at Kirksville and Columbia; Roy Blunt at Joplin and Jo Ann Emerson at Cape Girardeau. U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond will join Talent at Kansas City Liberty Memorial today.

Talent's principal opponent is State Treasurer Bob Holden, who is unopposed in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary. Both have been successful in raising campaign funds. Recent campaign finance reports showed Talent had almost $3.7 million in the bank while Holden was sitting on about $3.6 million.

Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan is constitutionally forced to retire as governor after two terms. He is challenging freshman Republican U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft's re-election.

Talent first publicly revealed his gubernatorial plans on Feb. 8, 1999, saying he needed the early start to be competitive in building a campaign treasury and statewide name recognition.

This weekend's tour follows months of campaign events around the state, at which Talent focused on issues including early childhood reading programs, fighting methamphetamine and transportation.

In running for governor, Talent seeks a return to Jefferson City, where he served as a state representative from 1985 to 1993, four years as the House GOP leader.

Talent was first elected to Congress in 1992. He was re-elected in 1998 with 70 percent of the vote across the Republican-friendly 2nd District, which includes parts of St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

He is assistant majority leader in the Republican-run Congress and chairs the House Small Business Committee.

Talent told supporters at all sessions that he would improve the literacy rate among Missouri children and would lower taxes if elected.

"When taxes go up, people are diminished. When I'm governor taxes are going to go down," Talent said. "We're losing too many future family business and farmers because taxes are growing faster than crops."