Bush, Kerry Advisors Debate Over Missouri’s Status As Battleground State

A senior adviser to the John Kerry presidential campaign insists Missouri remains in play as a battleground state. Republicans counter the Kerry has all but conceded the state. Kerry adviser Joe Lockhart says the debates have turned the race to Kerry’s favor. The campaign manager for President Bush, Ken Mehlman, denies the campaign has become overconfident about Missouri. He says it’s too important a state. Mehlman says Democrats can say Missouri is important, but that won’t mean anything unless they begin advertising on television again. The Kerry campaign hasn’t purchased television time since summer. The Democratic National Committee pulled its ads several weeks ago.