Jonathan Singer: Dems Get Their Recruit in MO-Sen Race

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Monday, August 29, 2005

Dems Get Their Recruit in MO-Sen Race

While today has been marked by discussions of Senate Republican recruitment woes, the Democrats have just gotten their desired candidate to challenge first term Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO). The National Journal Hotline has the story (from a blogger at MyDD.com).

Multiple Hotline sources are confirming '04 GOV nominee/Aud. Claire McCaskill (D) will enter the race 8/30 (8/29).

St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Mannies writes: "sentiment is divided. The view is that she is either: Preparing to emulate" Sen. Jim Talent (R), who won a SEN '02 race after losing for GOV '00. Or she's: "About to commit political suicide by abandoning a seemingly secure re-election bid to listen to" Dem leaders who say she has to run "or doom the party's statewide ticket."

Should this story prove true, the Missouri Senate race automatically becomes a top-tier race for 2006. Although I might not move it from the leans Republican rating given to it by Congressional Quarterly, this is nonetheless a major development -- placing Missouri as the Democrats' fourth best shot at picking up a Senate seat (behind Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and possibly Montana).

Posted by: Jonathan Singer / 4:21 PM | Basie! Home