More Hints that McCaskill will run for Talent's seat

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Mayor Francis Slay's campaign manager and chief fundraiser, Tod Martin, has moved over to work for state Auditor Claire McCaskill. The move is fueling rumors that McCaskill is planning to challenge U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., in November of next year. McCaskill has said that she would announce her plans by Labor Day. Martin was Slay's campaign manager during his recent re-election victory. Martin, 37, said Tuesday that he didn't know exactly what he would be doing for McCaskill but acknowledged that he wouldn't say even if he did know. That decision is hers to announce, he added. "I look forward to trying to help her in one way or another," said the Carbondale, Ill., native. For her part, McCaskill has remained mum ... so far. Stay tuned.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/debpeterson/story/98140CD180D5D1AF8625706700123C3E?OpenDocument

Democratic recruitment of star challengers against incumbent Republican senators in 2006, mediocre so far, may soon get a boost in Missouri with the expected candidacy of former state Auditor Claire McCaskill against first-term Sen. Jim Talent.

McCaskill, who lost narrowly for governor of Missouri last year, is a major threat to Talent. Party leaders in Washington, desperate for credible Senate challengers, have promised McCaskill lavish financing for the Senate race.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak21x.html

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1. Signs point to ‘yes’ for McCaskill

Now for those tea leaves.

Tracking McCaskill’s intentions in recent weeks has been like watching the stock market. Up. Down. In. Out. In recent days, however, sources have aimed the arrow consistently toward “she’s in.”

Tod Martin, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay’s campaign manager and chief fund-raiser, just went to work for McCaskill.

Another sign: Democratic interest groups such as StemPAC, a pro-stem-cell research group, suddenly are attacking Talent for opposing the group’s main cause.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/12495262.htm