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Skelton targeted by Republicans

Published: Monday, August 31, 2009 1:18 PM CDT

SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) - For a generation, U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton has been politically untouchable.

A Democrat in a Republican-leaning district, Skelton has regularly won re-election with about two-thirds of the vote while cultivating a conservative reputation and capitalizing on his military expertise to become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Come 2010, however, Skelton may face a formidable challenge.

Republican strategists believe they can capitalize on Skelton's support of President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan, climate-control legislation and, potentially, his proposed health care overhaul to paint the 78-year-old congressman as out of touch with constituents.

The National Republican Congressional Committee plans to target Skelton with health care-related radio ads in coming weeks. Two Republicans with state legislative experience are preparing to challenge him. And the state Republican Party pledges a “benchmark” campaign.

“Is it an uphill battle? Certainly,” said state GOP Executive Director Lloyd Smith. But he added: “I think the people in the 4th District are going to say, 'It's time for a change.”'

Skelton says he's prepared for a political fight.

“Every year I am, I never stop. I stay close to the people I represent,” Skelton said recently at the Missouri State Fair, where attendees at a bipartisan political breakfast wore “I Like Ike” stickers.

Not since 1996 has Skelton faced a Republican opponent with a wellfinanced, active campaign. Even then, Skelton carried 64 percent of the vote over Bill Phelps, a former Missouri lieutenant governor.

His closest call: a nearly 10 percentage point margin of victory over Rep. Wendell Bailey in 1982, after parts of Bailey's district were redistricted into Skelton's.

The military has always been Skelton's base. He's an astute military historian and staunch defender of the armed forces - important in a district that includes Fort Leonard Wood, Whiteman Air Force Base and the Missouri National Guard's headquarters.

Skelton's conservative reputation has been aided by a history of voting for abortion restrictions - including a ban on what opponents call “partialbirth” abortion and a requirement to inform a woman 20 weeks into pregnancy that an abortion would cause pain to the fetus.

But Republicans hope to seize on economic concerns to portray Skelton as a fiscal liberal. They note his support for the deficit-enlarging stimulus and a bill seeking to reduce greenhouse gases through a cap-and-trade program allowing pollution permits to be bought and sold. Critics say the legislation would cost consumers, particularly in states such as Missouri that depend heavily on coal-fired power plants.

Skelton said he voted for the climate-change legislation because House Agricultural Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., inserted protections and exemptions for the agricultural industry.

Republicans assert Skelton has shed his conservative voting habits and become increasingly aligned with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Of the 684 House roll-call votes so far this year, Skelton voted with his party 96 percent of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly. Five years ago, that percentage was 80 percent. Ten years ago, Skelton voted with a majority of Democrats just 61 percent of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly.

State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, is looking to challenge Skelton. So is former state Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, a spokeswoman for supporters of a successful 2006 state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

“The leadership in Washington is advancing policies that I believe are destroying our economy and hurting our families and bankrupting our future,” Hartzler said.

Added Stouffer: “We've got an opportunity here to give the 4th Congressional District a choice that they haven't had in the past - a fiscal, social conservative against a social conservative that has tended a little more liberal lately.”

Earlier this month, about 100 people protested outside Skelton's Jefferson City office because Skelton hasn't held public forums on Obama's health care proposal. Retired state worker Keith Krueger, 65, said he frequently votes for Skelton despite casting an otherwise Republican ballot.

“It's going to be hard for you to get my vote again if you support” a government-run health insurance option, Krueger said as protesters videotaped messages to Skelton.

Skelton has said he has several concerns about the Democratic health care proposals, including the cost, “the socalled federal option,” and the effect on veterans and military health care. He says he prefers to talk with people individually or in small groups instead of town-hall settings.

To win an 18th term, Skelton will again need the votes of Republicans such as Rick Watson, 47, of Stockton, who wore campaign stickers at the fair for both Skelton and a Republican U.S. Senate candidate. Watson said Skelton's stance on any one issue won't deter his support.

“Anytime a person is standing for conservative values - and by and large Ike has - then they deserve and are warranted the support of the people who believe in those values,” Watson said.


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Thanks.

Byron W. wrote on Sep 1, 2009 4:33 PM:

" Newcampaign slogan: Spike Ike! "

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2206 wrote on Sep 1, 2009 11:15 AM:

" I voted for Ike for years, but his voting record the last few years shows that he is now voting how the democrat leadership tells him. It's time for him to GO! "

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