Democrat Claire McCaskill wins the United States Senate race over Republican incumbent Jim Talent by not losing as badly to him in Republican strongholds as she did to Matt Blunt in the governor’s race two years ago. Senator-elect McCaskill says the math is simple. She trimmed Jim Talent’s margins in traditional Republican regions, something she was unable to do in her race for governor against Matt Blunt in 2004. McCaskill says the campaign did much, much better in Springfield, Greene County and St. Charles County than it did two years ago. She says that combined with the enthusiasm for the campaign in Kansas City and St. Louis gave her the votes needed to win. McCaskill says the national spotlight on the campaign helped as well. McCaskill says the national attention made Missourians realize the importance of the election. McCaskill has put together an incredible political story. She took on and defeated an incumbent governor in her party’s primary, ultimately failing to win the office. But, she then returned to take on an incumbent Senator and win. McCaskill acknowledges it has been a tough four years of campaigning. And McCaskill chuckles when she says the constant campaigning has left her very, very tired.
Missouri Republicans Analyze Election Day Losses
As they lick their wounds from Tuesday’s beating at the polls, Republicans in Missouri and throughout the country are already planning strategies for 2008. Party Strategist John Hancock says that while Election Day 2006 was disastrous for the GOP, Missouri Republicans didn’t suffer as much as Republicans in other states did. He says Missouri Republicans weathered the storm rather well, comparatively, because the Republicans only lost two seats in the State Senate and five seats in the Missouri House. Of course, Republicans lost the U.S. Senate race, with Democrat Claire McCaskill defeating incumbent Senator Jim Talent. Hancock says in the long term, Republicans in Missouri and throughout the country might benefit from having the Democrats in control of the U.S. House and Senate. He says the Democrats are likely to revert to the action that prompted Americans to remove the party from power in the first place.
Related web sites:
Missouri Republican Party
MODOT Pushes Safe & Sound Bridge Plan
The State Department of Transportation wants to keep motorists on dry ground… with its Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Plan. The Department says about 1-thousand bridges are just chips and cracks away from hazardous deterioration. Director Pete Rahn says the department qualified 800 of them for their program. Rahn warns if the bridges aren’t addressed soon they will eventually have to be closed. The department closes 12 to 15 bridges each year.
Mizzou Gets RB Commitment
Tony Temple fumbles too much. Marcus Woods and Earl Goldsmith have suffered injuries. Those are just a few reasons why Missouri is happy to receive a verbal commitment from Rockwood Summit High School running back Rolandis Woodland.
Woodland, 6-foot-4, 195-pounds is rated the third best prospect in the St. Louis area by some publications. Woodland knew all along he wanted to attend Missouri but his mother wanted him to consider all his choices. He chose to stay close to home over going to Minnesota, Michigan State, Nebraska, UCLA, and Kansas State.
The Summit senior transferred from Lutheran North after his junior year. This year he has 30 catches for 613 yards and 11 touchdowns. Summit is 8-2 and plays Vashon tonight in a Class 4 sectional playoff game.
Blues Add MacInnis To Staff
Al MacInnis has worked very closely with the Blues and team president John Davidson this season. Tuesday, MacInnis was given an official title when he was named vice president of hockey operations.
MacInnis retired in 2005 but continued to work with the team in a variety of capacities. He scouted top draft pick Erik Johnson and coached the team’s rookie team last summer.
The new vice president will have his hand in all parts of the Blues operations. MacInnis will continue to evaluate talent, make trades, and share duties with general manager Larry Pleau.
Related web sites:
Blues Official Website
