TALENT-HOLDEN MATCHUP WOULD BE A GOOD RACE

The announcement that U.S. Rep. Jim Talent of the St. Louis area plans to seek the Republican nomination for Missouri governor comes as good news in several respects.

Talent is considered an able legislator by his Washington colleagues, a skill he honed in the General Assembly as the minority floor leader. Many of the state's influential Republicans are rallying behind Talent in an early show of support.

The early Democratic contender for the governor's office is State Treasurer Bob Holden. He too had legislative experience before winning the treasurer's race in 1992.

Both Talent and Holden are seen as bright and experienced politicians who could have the opportunity to give Missourians a race worth watching in 2000. The best prospect is that they could pull off such a race without the rancor and negative campaigning that have become all too familiar in modern elections.