Democrats say Mo. to be 'blue state again'

Democrats say Mo. to be 'blue state again'
Sunday, June 25, 2006
SCOTT MOYERS ~ Southeast Missourian

More than 400 gathered to hear party leaders give fiery speeches.

DEXTER, Mo. -- Former state senator Jerry Howard summed up the sentiment Saturday night: "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore."

More than 400 Bootheel Democrats gathered at the Dexter Elks Lodge to hear party leaders give fiery speeches, all sharing one common goal -- wresting power from the Republicans in Washington, D.C., and in Jefferson City.

"We're going to make Missouri a blue state again," Howard said. "Let this rally be the start of that."

The rally -- the first of its kind in Southeast Missouri since 1983 -- was attended by a who's who of Missouri Democrats, including former governor Roger Wilson and former secretary of state Bekki Cook of Cape Girardeau. Also there were those who are seeking office in upcoming elections, including state attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon, U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill and Victoria Hambacker, who is running for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's seat in November.

There was one Republican presence, however: A tractor-trailer was parked outside with a banner that read "Support our troops, vote Republican" and "Claire McCaskill supports amnesty for illegals," a claim that McCaskill said was "a lie."

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