http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/missouriis_2290.mp3
The Missouri Delegates who are participating in the Democratic National Convention in Boston are getting attention from some well-known politicians and celebrities because Missouri is viewed as a swing state that's pivotal in the November election. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports from Boston.
I'M HERE AT THE MISSOURI DELEGATES' HOTEL IN BOSTON WHERE THEY'RE GETTING A CLEAR MESSAGE.AT THEIR MORNING MEETING IT CAME FROM ACTOR BEN AFFLECK.
FROM GENERAL WESLEY CLARK.
MISSOURI IS VIEWED AS A KEY SWING STATE FOR BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES.
RECENT POLLS SHOW PRESIDENT BUSH AND SENATOR JOHN KERRY ARE IN A STATISTICAL DEAD HEAT IN MISSOURI.
THERE'S FURTHER PROOF OF MISSOURI'S IMPORTANCE IN THE NUMBER OF HIGH-RANKING POLITICIANS WHO HAVE VISITED AND WILL VISIT THE STATE: PRESIDENT BUSH WILL BE IN SPRINGFIELD FRIDAY, VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY CAME TO SPRINGFIELD RECENTLY, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK CAMPAIGNED IN SPRINGFIELD LAST MONTH FOR U-S SENATE CANDIDATE NANCY FARMER.
SO, AS DEMOCRATS MEET THIS WEEK IN BOSTON FOR THE NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE FOCUS IS ON MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO WORK WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOMESTATE.
SPRINGFIELD RESIDENT AND NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MEMBER JOE CARMICHAEL IS HEADING A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS EFFORT.
OTHER DEMOCRATS IN MISSOURI ALSO ARE TRYING TO ENERGIZE THE DEMOCRATIC BASE.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOE MAXWELL WHO ISN'T RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION HIMSELF IS URGING MISSOURI'S DELEGATES TO GET EXCITED AND TAKE THAT EXCITEMENT BACK TO MISSOURI.
HE TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THE CONVENTION SHOULD BE A MOTIVATOR.
AND GENERAL WESLEY CLARK TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THEY HAVE AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO TAKE BACK TO VOTERS IN MISSOURI ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ, A MESSAGE THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NOVEMBER.
AS DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES RETURN TO MISSOURI WITH THAT MESSAGE, REPUBLICANS ARE GEARING UP TO GIVE THEIR OWN MESSAGE TO VOTERS.THEY ALSO VIEW MISSOURI AS A KEY STATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.THEIR CONVENTION WILL BEGIN AUGUST 30TH IN NEW YORK CITY.