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Some statewide candidates are not attending the presidential debate in St. Louis.

October 5, 2004
By: Jade Mingus
State Capital Bureau

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Millions of Americans will be watching the presidential debates on TV this Friday night, including some Missouri candidates for state-wide offices.

That's because these Missouri hopefuls are not participating in the St. Louis debate.

Jade Mingus has more from the state Capitol.

Lt. Governor candidate Bekki Cook will not make a debate appearance.

Cook will take the opportunity to spend Friday night with voters at a debate watch party.

University of Missouri-Columbia political science professor Marvin Overby says candidates are keeping their distance from the debate because it is too risky.

"They don't want to be there if things go badly for the candidate of their party."

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Overby also says state politicians want the opportunity to distance themselves from the presidential candidates in case something goes wrong.

The debate will take place at Washington University in St. Louis on Friday night.

From the state Capitol, I'm Jade Mingus.

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Missouri politicians running for state-wide offices will not be at the Presidential debate in St. Louis. But they still hope to use the debates to their advantage. Jade Mingus has more from the state-Capitol.

University of Missouri-Columbia political science professor Marvin Overby says Missouri candidates are not attending the debate because it is too risky.

But Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill says the debate gives Democrats a chance to mobilize their voters.

"Being with your supporters at a debate watch party would certainly be trying to motivate your base and getting all those people who are for you excited."

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McCaskill also says the town hall forum debate is set up for undecided voters who want to question the candidates.

The debate will take place Friday night at Washington University in St. Louis. From the state-Capitol I'm Jade Mingus.

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Missouri candidates for state-wide offices will not be at the St. Louis debate.

Instead, they will join the millions of viewers who will watch the debate on TV.

Jade Mingus has more from the state Capitol.

Missouri politicians like Lt. Governor candidate Bekki Cook are joining supporters at debate watch parties.

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill says debate watch parties help motivate the candidates base of supporters.

But Univeristy of Missouri political science professor Marvin Overby says the candidates are not going to the debates for another reason.

"Being away from the national debates if something goes really badly for the candidate of your party would not be a bad thing it would probably be a good thing."

Overby says Missouri candidates are not attending because it is too risky for their campaign.

The debate is set for Friday night at Washington University in St. Louis.

From the state-Capitol I'm Jade Mingus.