JIM TALENT FIELDS QUESTIONS AT FORUM

The following piece by B. Ray Owens appeared in the Southeast Missourian on Friday, October 19, 2001.

Jim Talent will be talking about common sense, conservative ideals and stronger values during his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

"I want to go back to Washington and make some changes in the system," said an enthusiastic Talent during a "Talk With Talent" town-hall forum at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau Thursday. "You can make some changes if you stand up for your values."

Talent, who announced his candidacy recently for the Senate seat held by Jean Carnahan, spent his 45th birthday fielding questions and talking one-on-one with a crowd of more than 60 people who attended the 4 p.m. event.

Talent is no stranger to Washington. He spent eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the Armed Services Committee and heading the Small Business Committee, before leaving Washington to run against Bob Holden for Missouri governor.

He lost that race by a mere 21,445 votes, a margin of less than 1 percent.

"When I decided to explore a run for the U.S. Senate, I decided to talk with the people of the state before running," said the Chesterfield, Mo., resident. "They have told me that they want a government that stands up for values and traditions. They want a candidate to focus on the issues that matter to their families."

Along with the campaign, Talent has also kicked off his two-month-long tour of the state with his 'Talk With Talent" format.

"Jim is a leader," said Mary Kasten, a former state representative who served with Talent when he was in the Missouri House. "He's dedicated. He's just right for the job."

Talent served eight years in the Missouri House, where he became minority floor leader.

"I'm proud to be an American," he said. "I made my decision to seek the Senate seat before the terrorist actions Sept. 11. Since then, I've seen flags waving, and 'God Bless America' signs everywhere. This makes me proud."

When Talent served on the Armed Services Committee, he became convinced that the American people were supporters of the military.

"I fought for increases in defense spending and measures to improve military preparedness," he said.

During Thursday's session, Talent touched on questions concerning abortion issues -- he's against abortion--, defense security, Alaskan Oil drilling and trade with Cuba.

"As much as I dislike Fidel Castro, I think we should lift trade sanctions with Cuba," he said. "And when the sanctions are lifted, we should ask Castro to conduct free elections in Cuba. That should get rid of him."

Talent favors greater exploration of Alaskan oil fields.

"Much of the oil there is in desert lands, without any environment," he said.