http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-932773.mp3
Lexington, MO – One of the most enduring and influential members of the Democratic Party in Congress has been ousted by voters in central and southern Missouri. Ike Skelton was swept from another term yesterday.
The 17 term Congressman from the Fourth District distanced himself from his party on health care reform and war but couldn't counter the anti-establishment campaign of winner, Vicky Hartzler.
Accepting defeat in his hometown of Lexington, Skelton pledged to finish his job as House Armed Services Committee Chair--"to make sure that the young men and women in uniform will be well taken care of in their arduous task in fighting terrorism throughout the world."
Old friends were with Skelton, hoping for victory and accepting defeat. Larry McMullen, a Kansas City attorney, was a classmate at Missou and in law school, sixty years ago and knows how things used to work. In his words, " of course this is a Republican district and over the years Republicans have crossed over to support Ike. Now Republicans, smelling blood in the water, are rising up and saying, let's just throw everybody out."
The GOP set sights on Missouri's Fourth early in the campaign cycle.