Talent predicts issues-based race

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Last year's campaign for governor earned high marks from political observers and the public for being among the cleanest and issues-oriented contests for high state office in recent memory.

But although he may have earned the good sportsmanship award, Republican Jim Talent still lost the Governor's Mansion to Democrat Bob Holden.

Since a mere 21,445 votes -- a margin of less than 1 percent -- was the difference between Talent leading the state and teaching at Washington University, many Missouri Republican Party insiders were convinced the four-term congressman would have won had he played an all-out game.

In the political realm, that means hitting your opponent hard.

Now that Talent is seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Jean Carnahan, he is being asked if he is willing to do what it takes to win, even if it means getting his hands dirty.

Those expecting to see significant change in the tone of Talent's second statewide effort could be disappointed. "I don't believe in negative campaigning," Talent said flatly.

Talent will make a campaign stop at the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The Chesterfield resident does intend to do things differently this time around but chalks up any changes in strategy to experience.

"There are 100 little lessons you learn, because the first time you attempt something there is always a big learning curve," Talent said.

Not in the mood

In addition to his personal aversion to an attack-dog style, Talent said voters aren't in the mood for vitriolic politics in the wake of recent events. With people losing their jobs during an economic slowdown and afraid for their safety with America's war on terrorism, there is plenty of substance to discuss.

"Those are big issues," Talent said. "I don't see why people need to talk about personalities with those available."

Holden has always praised his former opponent for keeping the tone of their contest positive and expects Talent will continue to do so in his race with Carnahan, the presumptive Democratic entry.

"I think the public is really demanding of all of us that we focus on what we need to be doing and how we want to lead this nation, not play partisan politics on issues," Holden said. "I expect that Senator Carnahan and former congressman Talent will follow that."

Previous GOP criticism of Talent's run for governor has become muted. Republicans now say the future, not the past, is important.

"I prefer to focus on the fact that he is putting the best team on the field this year," said state Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau. "I expect him to have a better coordinated effort overall."

Missouri GOP spokesman Scott Baker said candidate contrast need not mean negative attacks.

"There is no doubt that Jim is going to have to outline his differences with Mrs. Carnahan, but he can still do that in a respectful way," Baker said. "I don't see this race -- especially in the environment we are in today -- being a slash-and-burn-type deal."

Carnahan was appointed to serve the first two year's of the term posthumously won last year by her husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan. She has not announced her candidacy for the remaining four years of the term but is raising campaign contributions.

Mike Kelley, executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party, said should Carnahan choose to run the campaign will be waged on evaluations of each candidate's congressional record.

"Jim Talent is going to have to run on his record in Washington, and working families are going to have a lot of questions about that record," Kelley said.

Formidable candidate

Kelley said Carnahan has made an impressive mark during her brief time in office and would be a formidable candidate.

"What Mrs. Carnahan is going to have to do is keep doing what she has done since the day she got there, and that is fight for working Missourians," Kelley said.

Talent, who surrendered a safe House seat from St. Louis County to run for governor, said he and Carnahan go into the race "pretty even."

He said he brings a strong record in Congress to the Senate campaign, citing welfare reform and helping small businesses and family farmers among his accomplishments, and is running because he still has something to contribute.

"You always want to go where you feel you can make a difference," Talent said. "I feel I can do that in the Senate. I believe the way to change Washington is to really take a stand for the common-sense, conservative values of Missouri."

Talent admitted he swiped that theme from a former House GOP colleague -- the late Bill Emerson of Cape Girardeau.

That's not all he's taking from Emerson. Lloyd Smith, the chief of staff to both Emerson and his widow and successor Jo Ann Emerson, is already working part time for Talent and will take over as his campaign manager in the spring. Talent said Smith, a force in Southeast Missouri politics, "has already made a difference" on his young campaign.

Talent said it will be easier to get his message out to voters this year. With no presidential election and only one other low-profile statewide race, the Senate contest will get top billing in Missouri. That was not the case with the governor's race during last year's busy political cycle.

"It's like being in a room where everybody is talking at the same time," Talent said. "It's hard to hear anybody."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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