All three special election seats changed parties.

It was a wash in the senate. Alter (barely) took Stoll's senate seat in Jeffco, but Dems retook Steelman's seat in south central MO. Repubs took a Dem house seat in KC.

I can't believe we lost this race tonight. I agree that this is a bad omen for Carnahan's chances in 06. I think we need some fresh blood representing the party or we are going to get creamed in 06. We'll never have a chance to get this seat back and I fear we also risk losing Gephardt's seat as well if we fall back on the Carnahan name and a worthless candidate to lead us back to victory. I have heard that Pat Daughrtey and perhaps some other folks may challenge Carnahan. I think Rick was a good candidate but we're going to need to look to our future rather than rest our hopes on a name if we are going to turn the tide in 06.

Look at it this way: the two Democrats in the race (Johnson & Selby) got over 13,000 votes. Alter got 6,861. Even if you call Rzeppa a Republican, the two of them only combined for about 9,100. Hardly a Republican mandate, if you ask me.

Had the Dems nominated Ryan McKenna (in which, Selby said he wouldn't have run), he would've won easily. That district is solidly pro-life. The Dems simply aren't going to be able to force pro-choice, anti-NRA candidates upon those people. The sooner that point is realized, the sooner a new majority will be built.

Yes-its bad that Alter appears to have won. And yes it can't help the dems in the 3rd district-But what's the answer-nominate a pro-life conservative Democrat? What would be the point of that- or nominate someone whose views will offends a small additional percentage of Jefferson county? During the first quarter of the frist session there has been exactly one critical vote-the Schiavo vote. Russ could have ducked making a choice but instead flew back to the district to be counted when he could have punted.

Yes Russ's coffers aren't as big as one would like-but the middle shot givers have been drained but the fierce primaries in this and other elections. If the Republicans are lucky we'll waste another $500k in a third district primary which only Russ can win and top that off with McCaskill II versus Jay Nixon.

The Selby surge is interesting. I guess I thought Zip would do a little better based on name recognition and pro-life. But maybe Selby's "Stop Emissions Scam" campaign really resonated with JeffCo folks who do a LOT of driving.