MSU professor: Democrats might as well forget 7th District

Missouri State University political science professor George Connor, the go-to guy for those seeking insight into political happenings in southwest Missouri, says the Democratic Party might as well fold its tent and forget about running anyone for the Seventh District Congressional seat currently held by Roy Blunt.

In an interview with KSMU, Connor also said he expects the major issues will be "crime, abortion, and stem cell research:"

“The Democrats don’t stand a chance. I mean, any Democrat that’s nominated is going to be a sacrificial lamb. Congressman Blunt for his weaknesses within the Republican still could handily defeat any democrat. There just aren’t enough democratic voters in the 7th district, across the 7th district,” Connor said.

Connor says there are several individuals who are already pulling ahead in this race.

He says the most popular people running are State Senators Gary Nodler and Jack Goodman, Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore and radio personality Billy Long.

“I think when Congressman Blunt first announced he was seeking the Senate seat; odds on favor were going to be Senator Nodler. I mean, again each one has certain advantages, but Senator Nodler had a certain amount of name recognition, has the conservative bon-a-fide, he has the ability to raise money, has run in this race before,” Connor said.

Judging from those comments, I would guess that the professor has a dim view of the people of southwest Missouri from his ivory tower. Despite what Connor thinks, many southwest Missourians do not base their vote on litmus tests on a few hot-button social issues. And for Connor to not even mention the economy as a major issue makes me wonder how in the world this man became so highly regarded as an expert.