BUSH VISIT GIVES REGION CLOSE LOOK AT CAMPAIGN

Presidential candidates are courting Missourians in a big way this year. Missouri is considered one of a handful of toss-up states in the presidential vote. It seems almost every few days that George Bush, Bill Clinton, or someone associated with their cam~paigns is making a swing through some part of the state.

Now it's this area's turn.

First Lady Barbara Bush will make a brief stop in Cape Girardeau today at the SEMO District Fair. We welcome Mrs. Bush to our city. Her visit reflects good timing for the region. A strong advocate for literacy, the visit coincides with YELL in Jackson today. Her presence should also help to boost Wednesday attendance at the fair.

This marks her first visit to Cape Girardeau, although she toured a Sikeston Head Start class in October 1988. It's not the first time major candidates or their wives have visited our city. Marilyn Quayle toured Cape Girardeau in October 1990. Then-Vice President George Bush visited once in October of 1984. The last sitting president to stop in Cape Girardeau was Ronald Reagan in September 1988 again during an election year.

It may not be the last time Cape Girardeau is included in the campaign strategies. The largest emergency medical response exercise in the nation's history Steel Cure II is scheduled in Cape Girardeau Oct. 23-24. It will no doubt lure a number of candidates perhaps even the presidential hopefuls themselves.

Missouri is a far more important than its 11 electoral votes may indicate. Because it's considered a toss-up state, political experts say Missouri figures into almost any political equation as to where the election may be won or lost.

Too many political cam~paigns today are waged solely through 30-second television spots. You can say what you want about the presidential candidates and the campaign, but both parties have made a refreshing effort to meet the people this year. This year, Missourians have the unique opportunity to observe the presidential campaign first~hand. These visits provide the area with a good chance to see the candidates and their families up close and become educated for the Nov. 3 vote.