Senate candidate Talent takes questions
from CAFNR students

Michael Deering, Corner Post staff

Oct. 2, 2002 - Several MU students, including some from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, rallied in support of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Talent Oct. 2 at Hulston Hall.

"Talent is just the kind of guy agriculture needs," Adam Heitman, agribusiness management major, said.

Talent asked for a show of hands from agriculture majors present, then acknowledged the students, saying, "Agribusiness is very important to our economy, and I fully support value-added agriculture."

Throughout the evening, he fielded questions from students on diverse topics, such as health care reform, social security and higher education funding.

Talent said if he were elected to the Senate, he would try to gain appointment to the Agriculture Committee.

He went on to explain what value-added agriculture is, using ethanol as an example of making a commodity useful. He said that even if prices were low, farmers could still benefit through these valuable products made from their harvest.

Supporters of Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo., said she is a large supporter of agriculture as well. They cited her efforts to get the Senate to allocate $30 million in federal funds for MU's planned Life Sciences Center.

Talent also declared his support for small businesses

"Well, I'm for them and my opponent's not," Talent said.

There were gasps from Carnahan's supporters.

Talent expressed admiration for small businesses by calling them the "engine of the economy." He said every day someone starts with nothing and ends up getting something because of small businesses. He said he would rather sit on a committee and accomplish nothing rather than sit on a committee that hurts small businesses.

Carnahan's supporters said her support for small businesses is evident by her open opposition to the Bush administration for proposing cuts in federal job training programs.

"Although I have many fundamental differences with Mr. Talent concerning the issues of this election, I did like that he discussed bipartisanship," Ben Murray, president of the MU College Democrats, said. "I also liked his approach to the race in general, most importantly his efforts to keep away from negative campaigning."

John Russell, vice president of membership for the MU College Republicans, which sponsored the event, said, "I thought Talent's discussion was perfect for the crowd in attendance."


Story originally posted 10/11/02

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