By: Max Burns

When I look at Missouri, God help me, I see an opportunity lost. I see an even split of Democrats and Republicans, a symbolically conservative-minded voter base, and a perfect example of why the Democratic Party needs to reform its methods and beliefs if we are ever to win in the South again.

Missouri is an example of how both parties have flaws. Missouri's noble voters, resilient as they are, happen to be people who have expectations. When, in 1988, George H.W. Bush ran a campaign of optimism and hope, the voters were more than happy to give him a term in office. When they read his lips in 1992, they put the neighbor boy in the chair instead. Missouri voters are not to be toyed with, for they possess a very powerful key.

To win Missouri, a candidate must show candor, honesty, a connection with the people, and moderation that John Kerry simply did not possess. John Kerry never had Missouri's heart or its 11 electoral votes. His support of a woman's right to choose abortion, confusing speaking style, and questionable Catholicism turned off conservative Democrats and mildly religious single and married mothers, all key constituencies in Missouri. To win, a candidate must show a close bond with voters on social issues like taxes, morals and healthcare. They must speak so the voters can understand, and spend more than an hour in town for a campaign stop. The people of Missouri are astute; they know when someone is just using them for votes.

Missouri voters know they are important, and that they reflect the United States in microcosm. They must feel personally invited to the polls by a candidate. Missourians feel that their vote is not just a ballot, but a pledge of trust in the candidate they vote for. John Kerry neglected Missouri and Missouri's voters. In doing so, he neglected something much more important: victory in Missouri and, until all the votes are fairly counted, throughout the country.

Moderate single mothers, citing abortion and liberalism as the main reasons for their Bush vote, understand what so many of us do not. They would love a reason to vote Democrat, as most were displeased with Bush's handling of the economy and the War in Iraq. They would cheer a moderate, principled Evan Bayh ticket, carrying as its VP a moderate centrist like Janet Napolitano or Bill Richardson.

Missouri is not the sole territory of the Republicans; Democrats have shown their ability to win the state, which sides with good sense and moderation. It is not the fault of Democratic voters, but of the Democratic Party. Missourians want to be convinced. They have shown through their votes that they are willing to elected Democrats, so long as they provide a clear message of common sense, integrity, and trustworhtiness.

We must find a candidate that cares about the Missouri voters if we want to win. It should be the job of every Democrat to put down the anti-Bush sword and begin scouring the ranks for one: Evan Bayh, Bill Richardson, Janet Napolitano, a moderate with ideals and views and the willingness to invest time in the people of Missouri.


Max Burns is a Democrat with centrist views, and is the author of The New Democratic Plan for Victory. Read it online at The New Democrat http://newdemocrat.tk Send email comments to Max at demburns@gmail.com