Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt says Republicans must learn in defeat what they forgot while in power. Blunt still wields power in Washington, despite Republicans losing control of Congress. Fellow House Republicans have elected him Minority Whip, their number two man. Blunt says Republicans lost their way when they took control 12 years ago. Blunt says Republicans grew comfortable while in power, willing only to challenge the status quo at its edges. He says the things the party had challenged while out of power, it began to use once it came into power, no longer asking what the proper role of the federal government should be. Democrats, emboldened by wins this year, are telling national leaders Missouri is in play. But Blunt says that the more Democratic presidential hopefuls come to Missouri, the better off Missouri Republicans will be. Now that Claire McCaskill has beaten Jim Talent, Democrats take direct aim at Blunt’s son; Governor Matt Blunt. Roy Blunt isn’t worried about that race either. Blunt says his son can speak for himself about his election successes, not just in the governor’s race against McCaskill in 2004, but his win as Secretary of State in 2000 as well. Blunt hopes a debate on the issues will work to the Republican’s advantage and return them to power.