Statewide election impacts local vote

Even staunch Republicans privately acknowledge that this election cycle does not bode well for the GOP. Of course, as is so often the case, predictions made in the summer can prove embarrassingly inaccurate in the fall. There will be countless twists and turns before voters cast their ballot in November. But first comes the August primary elections.

The two candidates for the Republican gubernatorial nomination - Rep. Kenny Hulshof and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman - held their final debate this week. It fell far short of a lovefest but it provided little new ammunition to help voters decide on their choice. To me, the debate was just the last in a long line of photo opportunities that did little to distinguish one candidate from the other.

Hulshof and Steelman are both excellent candidates to carry the GOP banner into November. But the primary battle has been expensive from a financial standpoint and it may have embittered members of the two camps such that they will be reluctant to rally come November. And that leaves Attorney General Jay Nixon, the presumptive Democratic candidate, in an enviable position. Nixon will have a bundle of cash and no scars from the primary. Combine that with the potential for a strong Democratic year and the cards are stacked against Missouri Republicans.

Interestingly as pointed out to me this week, many of us will scurry for a Republican ballot in August primarily as a result of the close battle between Hulshof and Steelman. Hulshof has deep roots in our part of the state and he has many supporters around here. But in Scott County, that means thousands of voters will choose the Hulshof-Steelman race over the heated contest for sheriff. Thus is the nature of the partisan primaries but this year, it makes for an interesting choice in your ballot selection.

Were the Hulshof-Steelman contest not as close, I suspect many would pick up the Democratic ballot to have a voice in selecting a nominee for sheriff. Alas, that's not the case. Should make for some tough decision especially in the northern part of Scott County which is strong Hulshof territory. It's somewhat ironic that a GOP statewide race may well impact a local Democratic primary.

Speaking of Democratic strength this November, Sen. Barack Obama this week announced he was opening 23 rural offices in Missouri in preparation for the November election. That is a direct result of lobbying by Sen. Claire McCaskill who has consistently urged the Obama team to look outside of the traditional urban Democratic core and seek rural voters. I'm far from convinced that an Obama office in Poplar Bluff or Farmington will entice more folk to lean in his direction but McCaskill knows far more about politics than most.

The word from Jefferson City is that the GOP will lose seats in the House and Senate but still maintain a thin majority. But when it comes to statewide offices, there's not a lot of joy from the Republicans.

It appears now that the balance of power at virtually all levels may shift to the Democratic party. I'm not pleased with that prospect but the only ones to blame are the Republicans who had their chance and blew it!