ST. LOUIS - With the smallest percentage of American voters identifying themselves as Democrats since public polls were established (just 32%), the remaining Democrat presidential candidates are coming to Missouri to advance a message that offers little more than protest, pessimism and personal attacks.

On the issues of economic policy, national security policy or social issues, the Democrats are out of sync with most voters. John Kerry described by the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) - the premier liberal rating organization - puts his lifetime rating at 93 percent. By comparison, Senator Ted Kennedy has a lifetime rating of 88 percent - five points less.

“I never thought I’d see the day when I tell Missouri that my colleague in the U.S. Senate, Ted Kennedy, is the conservative Senator from Massachusetts,”; said U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond. “The Democrats running for President present a clear choice for voters in November between their message of protest and pessimism and the President’s strong and principled leadership.”;

“Every Democrat running for their party’s nomination seeks to repeal all or part of the President’s tax relief,” said Ann Wagner, Republican National Committee Co-Chairman and Missouri GOP Chairman. “John Edwards had the chance to vote for tax relief which is now strengthening our growth and creating jobs but said “no”. In fact, John Edwards voted against every single bipartisan tax relief package proposed by President Bush.”

“Over the last decade, Missouri continues to become more Republican, having voted for President Bush in the 2000 cycle and retaking the majority in the Missouri House in the 2002 cycle for the first time in 48 years. With a majority of Republicans in our Congressional Delegation led by our two U.S. Senators, Missouri will again be Bush Country in November,” Wagner said.