Should Claire McCaskill challenge Talent?

[cestpaspossible]

The political buzz in Missouri last week was all McCaskill, all the time. Will state auditor Claire McCaskill, a former Jackson County prosecutor and last year's Democratic nominee for governor, run for the U.S. Senate next year? Democrats desperately hope she will because they need a big gun to take on Republican incumbent Jim Talent.

Before you get my conclusion, let's start with three big reasons McCaskill should run, followed by three reasons it would be a mistake:

* Last year, McCaskill split the Democratic Party by taking on Gov. Bob Holden. But challenging Talent would be an entirely different experience. Talk about feeling the love. Democrats would be ecstatic with McCaskill because no other top-tier contender has shown any interest.

* Running for Senate breaks a logjam for the Democrats, who already are fretting over 2008, when a pile of them could queue up for the governor's race. Democrats have begun pointing at Republican Gov. Matt Blunt's shaky approval ratings and think they'll have a shot at beating him.

If McCaskill, 51, waits for another shot at governor in 2008, she surely would face a fight from fellow Democrat Jay Nixon, the four-term attorney general, and probably others, such as former lieutenant governor Joe Maxwell.

* A McCaskill candidacy would mean that Democrats across the country would make Missouri a key state and dump millions of dollars here. In short, money would be no issue.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/politics/11534303.htm

Should Claire McCaskill challenge Talent?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[cestpaspossible]

2. ok, Jeff...

[PresidentObama]

3. I voted no

I like Claire McCaskill, but I don't know that she could beat Jim Talent. I meet her twice, and while impressed, I didn't feel like she was going to win Governor--let alone Senator. Her campaign was really horrible if you ask me, as well.

[scratchtasia]

4. Not sure

I voted "not sure." I desperately want someone to mount a good challenge against Talent. He's beatable. I'm not sure if McCaskill is the one to do it, though. She probably has the best name recognition, thanks to her run for governor. But I have mixed feelings. I would surely support her, but ultimately I hope another strong candidate will step forward. McCaskill might be better off running for governor in '08.

[loyalsister]

5. I would unenthusiastically

vote for her. I think she comes across as too abrasive to appeal to rural voters. I also have some problems with her history. I think it would be a mistake to spend money on her candidacy.
I would also love to see Maxwell as gubernatorial candidate if he comes back. He's the man!! Very much a populist.

[indcnclmn]

6. hard to beat talent

Gonna be hard to beat Talent after the highway bill gets rammed thru. With all the pork involved you got the Laborers, Operators, Carpenters, and Teamsters unions voting Repub. After the way she split us in the gov primary she will be hard to support this time.

[cornermouse]

7. Au contraire

Traditionally it is hard to oust an incumbent, but there are a LOT of angry people in Missouri right now.