DEMOCRATIC STATE TICKET VISITS FAIRGROUNDS

Missouri Democrats showcased their state ticket in Cape Girardeau Friday morning, making it clear that state candidates are running with the national ticket and not from it.

"We are enthused about that national ticket. We have gotten an entirely different point of view in this state about our Democratic nominees, and I haven't heard one time the thought from Democrats in Southeast Missouri that the national Democratic ticket has left them," declared Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan, the party's nominee for governor.

"They feel like they have their own in Bill Clinton and Al Gore."

The visit to Cape Girardeau Friday kicked off a two-day, seven-city tour of Missouri by the "coordinated campaign" which is an effort to have the national and state tickets working closely together.

Carnahan said the tour was to "show off our wonderful Democratic slate of nominees."

He added, "We are doing this because we think this is good for us and because we know that we add strength to strength. We have joined hands completely with the Clinton-Gore ticket through the coordinated campaign."

The only statewide candidate that could not attend was Sen. Jay Nixon, the nominee for attorney general, who had another commitment. Nixon's wife, Georgann, represented him.

The entourage included 16 people, including top aides to each candidate and the chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, Gene Bushmann of Jefferson City.'

About 100 Democrats turned out to greet the state ticket, which was scheduled to arrive at the SEMO District Fairgrounds at 8 a.m. but wound up being an hour late. After a rally with remarks by each candidate, the candidates wandered through the livestock areas and visited with potential voters.

State Treasurer candidate Bob Holden said Democrats could build the kind of partnerships necessary to bring economic growth to Missouri. Holden said he would work with Carnahan to call an economic summit soon after the election to discuss ways to use "the economic development tools of the governor's office and treasurer's office so they work hand in hand.

"That's what this campaign is all about. A campaign of building partnerships with people, with other elected officials, and a partnership for the future."

Holden stressed the 1992 campaign must focus on the future and opportunities to bring real change in Missouri.

"We are not casting a vote for the next four years, but for the next decade and next generation. I'm concerned about the legacy we will leave for my son, for your children and your grandchildren. That's what this campaign is all about and that is what this decision is all about - the legacy we leave for the next generation of Missourians," he said.

Rothman-Serot also echoed the future theme in her comments. She pointed out that in the past, children could look forward to doing better than their parents did, but now that is fading.

"That dream is not alive and well and it is a responsibility of my generation to be sure we give it back to them," she said. "This is more than an election; this is the future. The future for our kids ... bringing the answers home to our entire family in Missouri."

Rothman-Serot took issue with comments from Bond that she was not campaigning around the state and focusing most of her time on raising money.

"The Bootheel is very, very important to me and the future of all citizens of this state," said the U.S. senate candidate. "We have got to be one family instead of many different families...This is one state and one nation and we are going to send a senator to Washington to make sure people understand that is what this state and country is all about."

Rothman-Serot charged that Bond has lacked the "backbone" to lead real changes in the country and had supported policies that hurt family farmers.

"The reality is, Kit did not have the backbone to go to Washington and change the campaign finance laws so we could do real grassroots campaigning, which is so important. He did not have the backbone to stand up and say the rules must be changed so that all candidates don't have to spend a majority of their time fundraising," said Rothman-Serot.

"I assure you when I get to Washington I will have the backbone to say enough is enough," she said.

Discussing the family farm issue, Carnahan pointed out that "we hear all the talk about family values from the Republicans and president, but people that live on the family farm have certainly been forgotten. In fact, the family farm has become an endangered species under these Republican administrations."

From his travels around the state, Carnahan said he has found that people "are tired of do-nothing government. People are calling for change. They are wanting us to pick up the reins - not for bigger government - but they do expect us to do what we do best in government."

Carnahan said the key issues are jobs and doing a better job of managing government.

"We Democrats have a plan, we can do that," he remarked. "We offer constructive change and the people are ready for us."

State Sen. Roger Wilson of Columbia, the candidate for lieutenant governor, urged support for an issue on the November ballot that would expand duties for the lieutenant governor. He sponsored the bill in the legislature.

"If this passes, the lieutenant governor will be assigned duties in the area of education, economic development and the elderly. Those are areas that will be critical 50 years from now and 500 years from now, and always critical to our state."

Wilson is running against State Auditor Margaret Kelly, who he criticized for laying low in the campaign. "I can't even find my opponent so I can tell you what my opponent stands for," he declared. "I challenge my opponent, right here and now, to get on with the debate. The difference right now is between ideas and idle time. I want to put these ideas into motion and work harder for the same pay. My opponent will not endorse that."

To promote agriculture and rural economic development, Wilson said he would work toward building processing plants in Missouri for farm products "so the profit stays right here in Missouri."

Pettis County Clerk Judi Moriarty, the nominee for secretary of state, stressed her three terms experience as county clerk and the background it provides for the job. In particular, being county clerk gives a good overview of the elections process which is supervised by the secretary of state.

"I intend to bring us to the forefront of voter registration," said Moriarty. "I want to bring ease of registration to voters, which is important to help working men and women."

Moriarty said she supports post card registration and other efforts to make it easier for people to be brought into the system.

Georgann Nixon stressed the opportunity Democrats have to capture the attorney general's office for the first time in 24 years. She said her husband would be strong on crime, environmental and ethical issues.

"This Second Injury Fund is being used as a political slush fund and needs to be cleaned up," she said. She noted that Republican candidate David Steelman's law firm took $250,000 in fees from the fund.

Discussing crime, the candidate's wife observed: "Jay is not afraid to fight criminals. He abhors violence and will do what it takes to put criminals behind bars; also, white collar criminals are not going to be immune."