Election thoughts

The two most important national races in Missouri that will help affect the national debate are Jo Ann Emerson's race for the U.S. Congress and Roy Blunt's Senate race.

Roy Blunt's campaign started over 18 months ago. During that time, he's made over 870 Missouri appearances, campaigned on the issues and answered questions.

Robin Carnahan started her campaign late. It was sad to see that she ultimately tried to campaign to the right of Blunt on some issues with a campaign of "Bull," as she called it, with which I think Robin had to be uncomfortable.

Blunt has shown recognized leadership ability and is running in a good year for Republicans, a year that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are hurdles that many Democrats will not be able to overcome.

Along with the problems that Pelosi and Reid pose for Democrats, the president is also problematic for Democratic candidates as his popularity, justifiably so, has dropped almost 30 points.

Vote for Roy Blunt to help change the disastrous, centralized direction of our federal government.

---

Jo Ann Emerson also deserves your vote to help Missouri's Bootheel be a part of unseating Nancy Pelosi. Emerson has campaigned extensively, participated in forum debates and has always been direct and informed in representing us with dignity. She continues personally, and with a dedicated staff, to respond to the people of this district.

She already serves on some key committees and is most likely to be elevated in status if Pelosi is unseated.

---

A smaller than expected crowd heard four mayors -- Patricia York (St. Charles, Mo.), Michael Moeller (Maryland Heights, Mo.), Julie Thatcher (Boonville, Mo.) and Tom Hoechst (Alton, Ill.) -- answer submitted questions on how a casino has affected their communities (see Wed., Oct. 27, Southeast Missourian to read more).

The program was professionally moderated by Faune Riggin of 960 KZIM. It was an interesting and informative evening, and it reinforced my support for the casino -- as I think it would for over 75 percent of any group who listened to the mayors.

---

I remember the first time that casino gaming was voted down. I happened to be at a meeting where many of the opponents were shocked when the no vote prevailed. They had merely wanted to take a moral stand and fight the good fight, but they did not want to bear the burden of seeing Cape Girardeau lose 450 jobs and the other benefits that have been discussed this year.

No one can say the issues, benefits and the negatives haven't been openly discussed. I will be voting yes after weighing the pros and cons and finding the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.