One of Missouri’s most visible politicians is running against a near-phantom this year. State Auditor Claire McCaskill, seeking her second term, is running against Al Hanson who has stated his plans are to keep his personal spending at an all-time low. McCaskill is a Democrat. Hanson is the Republican who has been disowned by party leaders, because of the time he served in prison many years ago in Minnesota. McCaskill has invited Hanson to participate in forums and debates. Hanson has refused. He says McCaskill’s offers are just attempts to draw him out. And he says traditional campaigns such as McCaskill’s hold no interest to him. McCaskill says people don’t understand how hard it is to campaign against a candidate who won’t come out and fight. She says the campaign has turned into a curiosity, focusing more on Hanson’s past and not on a discussion of her record.
