Post-Dispatch columnists highlights Missouri's prospective presidential candidates

In his latest effort, St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan handicaps Missouri's possible presidential candidates of the future, including both expected candidates for governor in 2008, State Sen. Chris Koster, Sen. Claire McCaskill, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, and U. S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway:

Gov. Matt Blunt would seem a natural to have a shot at something in 2012, but first he has to win re-election. To be charitable, that seems iffy.

Attorney General Jay Nixon ought to beat Gov. Blunt in '08, but then timing comes into play. If a Democrat wins the White House in '08, then Nixon is on the shelf until 2016. If the Dem incumbent has done an awful job and loses in 2012, then Nixon would have to face an incumbent in 2016. If the Dem serves a full eight years, then 2016 would figure to be a Republican year. Long odds either way. Nixon's best chance is for a Republican to win the presidency in '08.