McCaskill, Kander pull off Missouri's biggest feats
Barb ShellyThe most dazzling election win in Missouri belongs to Claire McCaskill. Once declared on life support (although some of us maintained she would rebound, regardless of her opponent) McCaskill trounced the no-longer-legitimate Todd Akin on Tuesday.
It must be particularly sweet to McCaskill that she polled the identical percentage of support as Gov. Jay Nixon — 54.7 percent. Nixon has treated McCaskill, a fellow Democrat, as though she were radioactive throughout this campaign.
The second most impressive election feat belongs to Kansas Citian Jason Kander, who eked out a win in the Missouri secretary of state race.
A little more than a year ago, Kander was just a Democratic state representative putting in his time in as a member of the minority party in the legislature. Then Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced she wasn’t running for re-election. Without waiting for a blessing from the party leadership, Kander declared himself a candidate and went to work. He raised money feverishly and popped up at every parade and chicken dinner in Missouri.
Kander’s Republican opponent, Shane Schoeller, worked just as hard. But unlike Kander, Schoeller had to contend with a primary. In the end, St. Louis multimillionaire Rex Sinquefield may have hurt Schoeller by bankrolling his campaign with nearly $500,000. Missourians are suspicious of Sinquefield and his ballot initiatives. They understood why he wanted a friendly secretary of state.
Missourians made a good choice with Kander. He is smart and is known for integrity. While Schoeller made voter ID requirements his main campaign issue, Kander will make his job about ensuring fair and well-run elections.
Raymond James
6 months, 1 week agoThe Secretary of State position maybe the most important statewide office. For an example of how important and how to do it badly take a look at Ohio this past election.
Missouri will be well served by Kander.
Sinquefeild will not like Kander or having to work with him and that is OK with me.
Mark Hastert
6 months, 1 week agoOne has to admire the Republican strategy of identifying and controlling crucial state level offices. He who makes the election rules…rules. And why not? They’re a cheap investment for a Koch or a Sinquefield. They can be purchased usually for a few hundred thousand dollars and the returns are manyfold. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, eh? Just watch out for their efforts to take away our vote.
Johnathon Busby
6 months, 1 week agoThe GOP has limited their own base, and it’s shrinking in proportion each and every year. Akin is an excellent example of how the GOP refuses to modernize.
Phil Cardarella
6 months, 1 week agoNO ONE outworks Jason Kander.