HOLDEN'S WIFE CAMPAIGNS IN CAPE

Women's and children's interests will be best served by electing Democrats to top state and national offices, the wife of Missouri Democratic gubernatorial candidate state Treasurer Bob Holden said during a news conference in Cape Girardeau Friday.

Lori Holden discussed her husband's views on issues that included women's health care, salary equity and reproductive rights. She lauded a Holden plan to establish a domestic violence task force that would be charged with identifying and obtaining additional funding to increase the number of shelters in the state as well as planned efforts to ensure greater protection for access to obstetrical and gynecological care, and coverage of bone density testing to prevent osteoporosis.

In contrast, Holden said Republican candidate for governor U.S. Rep. Jim Talent opposed the Family and Medical Leave Act, which granted the right to take unpaid leave from work to care for a newborn or sick family member. He also has opposed other legislation that would have improved workplace conditions and gender equity insurance coverage, she said.

And Talent has no plan for addressing domestic violence in Missouri, Holden said during the news conference at Southeast Missouri State University.

"It's time we talk about this issue and help the women and children who are very much victims of a crime," she said. "This election is for working families and continuing the progress we have had in this state. I am very worried. In fact, I am appalled and frightened about Jim Talent's record."

In a prepared statement, Talent said he has consistently supported efforts to reduce domestic violence and has a record of strong penalties for those who commit domestic violence. He said: "We must take strong and definitive steps to end domestic abuse. Nobody -- man, woman or child -- should have to live in danger or fear."