Debate number three in Missouri’s U.S. Senate contest featured incumbent Republican Senator Jim Talent going toe to toe with Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill in Clayton, in St. Louis County. As was the case during the previous two forums – at Lake Ozark and on NBC’s Meet the Press – the two fielded questions on such issues as the war in Iraq, fighting terrorism, and stem cell research. This debate, however, featured a question on a country that is receiving a lot of attention these days: North Korea. Asked whether the U.S. should engage in one-on-one talks with the North Koreans, something Kim Jong Il wants, Senator Talent says absolutely not. He says it would be rewarding someone for sabre rattling. Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill wants to see all the players in the region at the negotiation table, but she says the United States should not reject one-on-one talks with the North Koreans. She says there should never be a refusal to engage in negotiations with any nation that poses a danger. The next debate is Monday in Springfield, followed by the fifth and final get together on Wednesday in Kansas City.

Related web sites:
Talent for Senate
McCaskill for Missouri