I have been a long and strong supporter of civil rights in my whole career. I led the fight to get the voting rights act re-enacted. I have been a strong supporter of affirmative action. I believe in it strongly.

The people I'm honored to represent in Missouri and all over the country want leaders to address their kitchen table everyday problems.

I was raised in a working class family of Baptist faith, and I went to college on a church scholarship where early teachings were reinforced. Abortion was wrong, I was taught.

Why would we want to keep a tax cut that's failed? Why would we not want to go back to the Clinton tax code? And why would we not want to help every family more with a health-care plan like mine? Let's help average people. Let's be Democrats.

I share the administration's goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction.

Democracy is interactive... Its a constant job of information, education, explanation, listening, and interactive communication.

Politics takes patience, time, listening and endless meetings.