TALENT ANNOUNCES HE WILL SEEK CARNAHAN'S U.S. SENATE SEAT

The following piece by Jo Mannies appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday, October 10, 2001.

Jim Talent says he's been doing some soul-searching, along with other Americans, on how he can best serve and defend his country.

"My intention is to share my work history and service in Jefferson City and Washington with the voters of Missouri, and to ask for the job of being their U.S. senator," Talent said Tuesday as he announced his Republican candidacy in next year's election.

Talent emphasized that he'd been considering the contest long before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which he said only strengthened his resolve.

"Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines," he said. "It's a reason to get involved in an uplifting and positive way."

For the next few months, he'll be hosting a string of "Talk with Talent" public meetings on issues "from national security to Social Security." The first was slated for Tuesday night in Joplin, Mo.

With Republican leaders solidly behind him, Talent doesn't expect to face any major opposition in the August primary. But he's likely to face incumbent Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo., 13 months from now. She has yet to announce her decision but already has about $2 million in the bank.

Carnahan was appointed to serve two years following the posthumous victory last year of her husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan, over then-Sen. John Ashcroft, a Republican. Carnahan, his son and a key aide died in an Oct. 16 plane crash. Next year's victor will serve the remaining four years in the term.

Talent was the GOP candidate for governor last year, narrowly losing to Democrat Bob Holden. State Republican leaders blame Talent's defeat on the tide of postcrash, pro-Carnahan sympathy.

Said Talent, "My campaign is going to be about the future, not the past." He promised a tone that was "sympathetic and respectful" of his opponent and focused on positions instead of personalities.

"I think we'll both take the high road," Talent said. "The thing I need to do is make the case for me."

Talent, 44, served six years in the Missouri Legislature and then eight years as a congressman representing parts of St. Louis and St. Charles counties. He left that safe U.S. House seat to run for governor.

For the most part, the demeanor and decor for Talent's Senate announcement reflected the somber times. The scene was far different from the balloons, banners and buddies that were part of his kickoff for his run for governor.

This time, only his wife and three young children stood next to him. Other than his words, the only hint of a campaign was a small sign - www.talentforsenate.com - taped to a lectern.

Talent also avoided the standard partisan platitudes, instead outlining his vision for government with such gravity that he briefly choked up in the middle of his speech.

What he was offering Missouri voters, he said, was "common-sense conservative values" that include "a belief in the dignity of work, a respect for life ... a deep abiding belief in the goodness of the American institution."

He said he had a record to back up his rhetoric. Talent cited his involvement in the nation's overhaul of the welfare system in the mid-'90s, and his leadership as chairman of the House Small Business Committee. He also emphasized his work on the House Armed Services Committee and said that national defense would be a key campaign issue.

Talent plans to offer details in position papers issued later in the campaign. But he did expand briefly on his economic views. Although known as a fiscal conservative, Talent said he agreed with the Bush administration's decision to cut taxes while also spending more money on targeted projects and programs.

"I think we need to do some things to get the economy going," Talent said, even if it means short-term budget shortfalls.

Besides the nation's finances, he also must address those of his campaign. Talent predicted the contest would cost more than the $9 million he spent last year. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Mo., is co-hosting a Washington fund-raiser for Talent later this week.

But Talent emphasized that he sought money only to help spread his message. "People have told me they want a government that stands up for the values and traditions that are at the heart of our daily lives," he said. "They want experienced leadership and honest participation in government and they want candidates to focus on the issues that matter to their families."

Later Tuesday in Jefferson City, Holden said that he had appreciated how Talent avoided personal attacks during their campaign last year. Added Holden: "He will be a worthy opponent for Senator Carnahan."