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US Senate Race: Democrat Robin Carnahan

http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/ussenatera_7533.mp3

Rural roots have been a major issue in the Robin Carnahan campaign as election day approaches. Michael Langenberg has more from Jefferson City.

Carnahan came into the public's eye in 1999 when she led a campaign to keep a ban on carrying concealed firearms.

Carnahan has spent this campaign playing up her rural roots.

Her Republican opponent Roy Blunt's ads have done the same. Blunt grew up on a small family farm near Springfield.

And Carnahan also grew up on her family's farm.

It was run by her dad, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Long-time family friend and Carnahan assistant Marilyn Parrish says it has made her more well-rounded.

"I think it shows that she's a diversified person. That she can be an attorney in St. Louis while still caring about people on the farm," Parrish said.

Carnahan is on her family farm in one of her ads comparing Blunt to a farm animal. "I'm Robin Carnahan. I approve this message because we're all fed up with the bull from Washington." (bull noise)

Carnahan's campaign is airing several ads attacking Blunt.

Including a country western radio ad.

"SINGER: Roy Blunt is shady as a rotten apple tree. He's looking out for someone, but it sure ain't you and me. Roy Blunt is the very worst of Washington, D.C. The way to spell corruption is B-L-U-N-T. Roy Blunt is the very worst of Washington, D.C.

CARNAHAN: I'm Robin Carnahan, I'm running for the Senate and I approve this message.

ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Robin Carnahan for Senate."

Carnahan supporter Nicki Powers of St. Louis says she doesn't mind the ads.

"Negative campaigning works to be honest with you. I think people tell you it turns them off, but I think it does change- I think it does sway their opinions, tremendously," Powers said.

But all the negativity is wearing on some Carnahan supporters...Here's Owensville resident Jenny Belloir (Bell-OR).

"Honestly, though my vote goes for Carnahan, I am disgusted," Belloir said.

Even with some displeasure, Carnahan said in an earlier interview in the campaign she's sticking by her ads.

"It kind of reminds me of Harry Truman who said, 'I don't give 'em hell, I just tell the truth and they think it's hell,'" she said.

One controversial Carnahan attack ad uses a 2006 Blunt interview with the Fox News Channel's Chris Wallace.

CARNAHAN: "I'm Robin Carnahan and I approve this message.

CHRIS WALLACE: You just said a moment ago that you have to show you're the party of reform, but some question whether you are the man to do that. In 2002, you tried to insert language into the Homeland Security Act to help Philip Morris tobacco while you were dating that company's lobbyist, and your campaign committees paid $485,000 to a firm linked to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Are you the one to clean up the House?

ANNOUNCER: Roy Blunt -- The very worst of Washington."

MU political science professor Marvin Overby says the ad does its purpose.

"It's a pretty effective ad I think, which is why the Blunt people are upset about it. That's probably why Fox people are upset about it," Overby said.

So upset that Fox News sued the Carnahan campaign.

Carnahan says she'll fight the suit and will keep airing the ad.

She's fought through difficult times before...Carnahan is a breast cancer survivor.

Carnahan's assistant, Parrish:

"She's had a lot of tragedy in her life and I think because of that she's just become a stronger person," Parrish said.

Her father, Mel Carnahan, died in a plane crash 10 years ago during his own U.S. Senate campaign.

Her brother Randy was piloting the plane and also died in the crash.

Mel Carnahan died about two weeks from election day.

Parrish says Carnahan's speech at her dad's funeral included one of her dad's favorite sayings.

"When he passed away and she made a speech, she said the last thing he'd say before he left every morning was, 'Don't let the fire go out,'" he said.

Parrish says Carnahan is still paying tribute to her father in this campaign.

"What she wants to do is not the let the fire go out for anything, anybody in Missouri," he said.

Carnahan's campaign declined to be interviewed for this report.

From Jefferson City, I'm Michael Langenberg.