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Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - Several Missouri statewide candidates will be avoiding the spotlight of the presidential debate in St. Louis Friday -- for what one political analyst says is good reason.
The two major candidates for governor, along with other statewide candidates say they do not plan on attending the debate.
Attending a presidential debate held in the same state in which you are running for statewide office might not be worth the risk, said Marvin Overby, professor of political science at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Millions of television viewers will be tuning in to the presidential debate in St. Louis on Friday.
Yet, most Missouri candidates for statewide office will not attend the event.
While entrance to the debate might be a factor--the debate is by invitation only--Overby said there might be another reason.
"They don't want to be there if things go badly for the candidate of their party," he said.
It might put them in the awkward position of having to explain the poor performance of their party's presidential candidate, Overby said.
Gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill said she didn't know exactly what she was doing that evening, but that she was almost certain she wouldn't be able to attend the debate.
"I'm not sure my schedule is going to allow me to be there or not," McCaskill said.
"I may have a commitment in another part of the state believe it or not, although I think all good Democrats are going to be glued to the screen," McCaskill said.
While a strong showing in the debate by John Kerry could help Missouri Democrats, McCaskill downplayed the impact his performance could have on Missouri races and in particular her own race.
"I should say that my campaign is running separately from Senator Kerry's campaign and Missourians are going to make up their minds based on each race rather than voting for an entire party," McCaskill said.
McCaskill said it's important to distinguish between a spectator debate and a town hall debate. The audience for the town hall format is mostly comprised of undecided voters which might explain the absence of candidates for political office, McCaskill said.
The spectator format was used in Florida in the first presidential debate. The town hall format will be used Friday in St. Louis.
John Hancock, spokesperson for Matt Blunt said he didn't think Blunt would attend the debate.
It's more likely Blunt will try to capitalize on the President's visit to Missouri the day after the debate. Hancock said the President will be doing an event for Blunt the next day.
Overby said he's not surprised that the candidates for the governor's race have decided not to attend.
"Neither one of them have tried to tie themselves really closely with the presidential candidate of their party," Overby said.
The Republican candidate for secretary of state, Catherine Hanaway, said she also will not attend the debate.
"I certainly will be watching on TV," Hanaway said.
Hanaway attended the debate four years ago when she was executive director of the Bush campaign.
Hanaway said there is not much opportunity for face time with the presidential candidates because they are on a very tight schedule.
With little opportunity for face time, Overby said the risk factor for the candidates just might not be worth it.
"Being away from the national debate if something goes really badly for the candidate of your party would not be a bad thing, it would probably be a good thing," Overby said.