Missourians need an effective leader

And now we know why Gov. Bob Holden has been reluctant to debate his Democratic primary opponent, Auditor Claire McCaskill. The two met in cross-state debates this week and the nod clearly went to the challenger.

Holden spent the bulk of his message on attacking the Republican majority in the state legislature for his failed proposals. But in the end, he offered little when it came to a refreshing new message for the state. McCaskill meanwhile was smooth as silk in her attack on Holden's lack of leadership and unwillingness to work with legislative leaders.

The best line of the night by far came when McCaskill told Holden, "You can't be a victim and a leader." And that sums up the Holden legacy. He consistently wants to blame anyone and everyone for the lack of gains during his watch on state government. But when it comes to new approaches that could end the gridlock in Jefferson City, Holden comes up empty.

Holden still has not answered some of the important questions surrounding his first term as governor. Voters still want to know why he withheld school funding until April when everyone but his advisors seemed to be indicating a fiscal turnaround. Given the lack of state funding, scores of school districts approved school tax levy increases in the April elections. Three days later, Holden released the state funds.

Missouri can do better than Bob Holden believes we can. But we cannot and will not without effective leadership. Claire McCaskill clearly can provide that leadership. She is the best hope of the Democratic party to challenge Republican Matt Blunt in November. But Holden still has a war chest of union and trial lawyer donations and he'll use most of that in the next two weeks. The Governor knows full well he's in the political fight of his life come August and, should he win in two weeks, the battle for November will be equally as tough.

Bob Holden is not a bad person. But he's also not a leader. Missouri must have strong leadership to address the problems ahead. Our state needs someone who can effectively work with the legislature to address spending and to fight for those programs that prove their worth. And leadership involves the tough process of reducing programs that may be popular in some quarters but are less than effective in achieving their goals.

For our money, Claire McCaskill has proven her leadership qualities and her toughness. She can clearly bring something to the Democratic party that has been missing of late. She has proved her worth during a long and distinguished career in public service. And she proved it again this week in a