CARNAHAN BRINGS WHISTLESTOP TOUR TO CAPE

John Truman, great-grand-nephew of the late President Harry S. Truman, spoke in support of Gov. Mel Carnahan for the U.S. Senate during a whistlestop campaign in Cape Girardeau Saturday.

Mick Grace was eager for the train carrying Mel Carnahan's entourage to arrive in downtown Cape Girardeau Saturday.

The 10-year-old Cape Girardeau youngster arrived early for the train. He headed for the tracks and looked to the north, impatient to hear the whistle and alert the crowd that the train was near.

Mick, and his father, Murray Grace, were among the about 20 passengers who boarded the train for a ride on Carnahan's Working Families Whistlestop Train Tour, to Portageville, the 21st stop on the tour.

Different passengers were taken aboard for sections of the trip.

The seven-car train logged 982 miles by the time it ended the four-day, 21-county tour at Hayti later Saturday.

"This has been a busy tour," said Missouri Gov. Carnahan, who is seeking the U.S. Senate post once held by President Harry Truman. "We're hitting 22 stops in four days, but it has been a fun tour."

Carnahan, who will face incumbent John Ashcroft, has criss-crossed the state, talking with Missourians about topics of particular concern to working families -- health care, taxes, education, Social Security, Medicare, and other issues.

On the train with Carnahan at the Cape Girardeau stop was John Truman, a great grandnephew of the former president.

"Uncle Harry held the Senate seat that Carnahan is seeking," said Truman. "He was a candidate for all people. Carnahan will be the same way. Give 'em Hell, Mel."

"We're commemorating one of Truman's whistlestop campaign tours," Carnahan told the group of more than 200 supporters.

The silhouette of Harry S Truman, painted on the downtown Wall of Fame mural served as a backdrop for the event.

"I don't think Truman would want John Ashcroft in his Senate seat," said Carnahan. "Missouri needs a senator who will fight for working families."

Carnahan adds that this means using the budget surplus to make our nation stronger for our children and grandchildren. "It means using the surplus to preserve Social Security and Medicare for future generations and helping seniors pay the spiraling cost of prescriptions drugs.

"And, we should pay don't the nation debt so our children won't be overburdened."

There are other issues that need attention said Carnahan.

"We need to place a high priority on improving education, and we need to restore a reasonable safety net to assist our family farmers."