The importance of Missouri is emphasized by the attention we’re getting from both major presidential candidates.

Democrat Barack Obama plans a speech under the Gateway Arch in St., Louis tomorrow and a rally at Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial tomorrow evening. It will be the first speech at the Arch by a presidential candidate since an appearance in 19-96 by Republican candidate Bob Dole and his running mate Jack Kemp and the first speech by a presidential candidate at the Liberty Memorial since John Kerry was there four years ago.

. Republican John McCain will be in St. Charles Monday morning, with a stop in Columbia, and an afternoon visit in Belton, a Kansas City suburb.

They’re courting Missouri’s eleven electoral votes.