STATE GOP CHAIRMAN HOPES TO LINK GOVERNOR TO POLICIES

The chairman of the Missouri Republican Party says most Missourians dislike policies instituted during Gov. Mel Carnahan's first term. Unfortunately for Republicans, those feelings haven't transferred to the governor himself.

"Our polls indicate people don't like Carnahan's policies," said John C. "Woody" Cozad, state Republican chairman. "But they don't yet connect those policies with Carnahan."

Therefore, the Republican mission during this election year is to forge the link between the unpopular policies and state Democrats, Cozad said.

Cozad made his comments Thursday during an interview with a Southeast Missourian reporter.

Democrats in general and Carnahan in particular have deceived voters by campaigning as conservatives but acting as liberals in office, Cozad said.

"The trouble is they can't be Republican and can only deceive people into thinking they are Republican," he said.

As an example, Cozad cited Carnahan's call last week for a one-quarter-cent cut in the statewide sales tax. Three years ago Carnahan helped pass a tax increase as part of an education reform package.

Carnahan's support of that tax likely will be a major issue during the upcoming gubernatorial election. Two Republicans -- state Auditor Margaret Kelly and state Sen. Bill Kenney -- are seeking the GOP nomination.

The hope among Republicans is that one of the candidates will withdraw to avoid a costly primary battle.

"We will try but there is not much we can do," Cozad said. "I think it is more important not to have a negative primary than not to have a primary."

A bitter primary among Republican candidates in 1992 weakened the party and helped Carnahan win the general election.

But the desire to avoid a primary is mainly about saving money, something Carnahan has more of than both Kelly and Kenney combined. An expensive Republican primary race would leave its winner even more vulnerable in November.

The Democratic incumbents in all five statewide offices on the ballot lead their Republican challengers in fund raising. However, strict limits on campaign contributions were recently ruled unconstitutional in federal court as a violation of free speech. The ruling is being challenged, but if upheld it would prove a boon to GOP challengers.

Democrats have said they will voluntarily stick to the discarded limits if their opponents do the same. Cozad said the Democratic incumbents simply want to retain their advantage.

"It's like a guy has been told he can't steal your wallet and says for you to voluntarily give it to him anyway," he said.

Members of both parties had been campaigning under the assumption of a limit of $300 per election cycle for statewide races from an individual. Limits left in place by the court ruling allow individual donations of up to $1,000 per election, for a total of $2,000 if a candidate wins the primary.

"Unfortunately, the only way in a mass democracy like ours to speak to your fellow citizens is to buy your way onto television, radio and into newspapers; and also, unfortunately, that is very expensive," Cozad said.

No matter who the Republican candidate is, tax relief will be an important part of the party message. Cozad said a GOP plan likely will focus on lowering property taxes and increasing the per-child income tax credit. Such cuts would be more conducive to stimulating the economy than lowering the sales tax, he said.

Republicans also believe they have a shot at taking control of the General Assembly for the first time in decades.

"That, actually, in terms of shaping the focus of government in Jefferson City, is the most important thing that could happen," Cozad said.

The party needs just six seats in the House and three in the Senate to claim majorities. Cozad said there are more than enough vulnerable Democratic seats to cover those numbers.