Any Missouri (area) DUers?

[DaisyUCSB]

I'd like to know if anybody is from Missouri or gets media coverage from Missouri markets.

I want to know how at what level are people aware that there is an important primary coming up, particularly republicans and republican-voting independants

Missouri is the only open primary of the Febuary third states, and well I think that ALL the primarys and caucuses are too open to sabotage from republicans AND independants who use there vote to help Bush get reelected on purpouse, by voting for the concensus weaker/weakest of the major candidates, an OPEN primary makes it all the more dangerous

If only the core of the democratic party is aware of the primary for the most part that obviously won't be a problem

[Neecy]

1. I'm in Kansas CIty

I was at a large family gathering this weekend, and in a roomful of Democrats not one had decided on a candidate. They all knew Gephardt was out, and they were just starting to pay attention.

No media here yet that I've seen. I think people will look at budgets after NH and decide on media buys.

One more note - I've met lots of Republicans here who are disgusted with George Bush and watching our race. The southern part of the state I'm sure will stay Republican, but I think Missouri is ripe for the picking in November.

[DaisyUCSB]

3. I'm not talking about repubs who want a dem to beat Bush

although I'm aware there are plenty, but not necessarily a whole lot more than democrats who want Bush

[Neecy]

4. eh?

I have yet to meet a registered Democrat here who's planning to vote for Bush. I know at least 20 registered Republicans who don't want to vote for Bush again (and around half a dozen who will vote for him again - not a good retention rate in a state that's going to be close).

[DaisyUCSB]

10. well I have to study these things (public analysis) for school and

my dad used to get paid for it, and there hasn't been a sea change to the left since the last election.

[Neecy]

15. it's not to the left

The Republicans I know haven't grown liberal, they're dissatisfied with the economy and dubious about the changing reasons for the war. I think that even a socially more liberal democrat with a strong responsible program for the economy and health care will pick up some of these moderate Republicans. At least that's the impression I'm getting from talking to them.

Keep in mind these are urban, well-educated people who don't vote on guns or abortion. The southern part of the state I'm sure will stay strongly Republican.

[LSdemocrat]

2. People are only now starting to pay attention

The Missouri primary was deemed to be a foregone conclusion, until Gephardt dropped out. No campaign has had any paid staff in the state for any significant period of time.

Dean and Clark have fairly extensive grassroots operations here.

I did some phonebanking here in St. Louis for Dean over the weekend and about 2/3 of the people I talked to were undecided.

Since the media up until the past few days hasn't spent much time on the primary here, I doubt there is any at all widespread urges on anyone's part to try and sabotage the Democratic primary.

[hatrack]

7. Agree - the lead time's too short

I haven't even seen any polling data on primary candidates, let alone TV ads. Kerry and Edwards are both scheduled for St. Louis drop-ins tomorrow, but I haven't heard anything from other candidates.

For what it's worth, the Star ran an article on how little voter interest there was in primary registration as of the deadline in early January.

Given that the last presidential preference primary drew a whopping 19.3% of eligible voters, I'm not holding my breath for massive turnout on Tuesday.

[GumboYaYa]

9. That's exactly what I have seen on the streets.

There is a massive number of undecided voters here in St. Louis.

[sistersofmercy]

5. St Louis has had nightly news coverage about the upcoming primary

for at least 4 or 5 days.

[GumboYaYa]

6. I have been canvassing St. Louis

every weekend since August and I have yet to find one Republican who says he/she intends to vote in the Democratic primary.

I don't see that as any concern at all.

[FeelinGarfunkelly]

8. Kirksville by way of Springfield

I am a student in Kirksville, MO (in the northeast corner of the state) and I'm originally from Springfield. Edwards is going to get press in Springfield b/c he's going there Wed. It's been reported in the Springfield News-Leader (http://www.news-leader.com). Plus, Edwards & Kerry are going to the STL. To me, Missouri seems like Edwards country. St. Louis may go for Kerry or Clark. From what I hear, Clark's got quite the volunteer base in St. Louis, KC, and Springfield.

You might think y'all hate John Trashcroft? The Democrats in his hometown hate him more than probably anyone.

[FeelinGarfunkelly]

11. CNN: Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell endorsed John Edwards

I haven't seen this on any Edwards site, but I heard on Inside Politics that St. Joe Maxwell has endorsed Edwards.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0401/27/ip.00.html

[DaisyUCSB]

12. Although Clark is from a nieghboring state

He should play that up if he puts any work into Missouri. Show up with a cardinals hat or something

[newyawker99]

17. Hi FeelingGarfunkelly!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[usregimechange]

13. In Joplin

Still not sure who to vote for.

[leetrisck]

14. Misssouri Democratic party is trying to

quickly pull together a debate for Feb 2 in St.Louis - last word they didn't know if they could get the candidates or not - it all happened so fast. I'm in Southwest Missouri (very Republican) - Roy Blunt country - big problems here with "No Child Left Behind" Blunt just here meeting privately with schools - pretty much told them they would have to do something about it - so of course they'll all try to raise taxes.

[usregimechange]

16. Area reaction to Blunt's secret aid to Phillip Morris

was very matter of fact. Fairly big deal but not locally. They would vote for child molestors around here if they had an R next to their name.

[WarNoMore]

18. As an ex-Carthage gal

you got that right about the letter R after the name.

[hatrack]

19. You got THAT right!

After all, this is the state where a "Lutheran Minister/Ex-Felon" (as one political website noted) won about 35% of the 2002 general election vote for State Auditor.

No experience, no applicable knowledge of finance, auditing, government or for that matter double-entry accounting - oh, and a criminal record for fraud and grand theft, to boot. But the little (R) was enough to get him more than 600,000 votes.