Blunt touts McCain as Obama RV tours Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Matt Blunt contends Republican presidential candidate John McCain is a better match for rural Missourians than Democrat Barack Obama.

The comments from the Republican governor come as the Obama campaign is stressing agricultural issues on an RV tour to about 20 Missouri cities. On Tuesday, Congressman Russ Carnahan or his sister, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, were speaking for Obama at stops in Rolla and St. Louis.

In Jefferson City on Monday, a different cast of Obama surrogates highlighted his support for the $300 billion federal farm bill and for ethanol incentives - items McCain opposed.

Blunt said Tuesday that although crop farmers might disagree with McCain's stance on those issues, Missouri livestock farmers might agree. Blunt added that McCain is more in line with rural Missourians because of his support for low taxes, less government, gun rights and his opposition to abortion.

"I think this RV tour is going to fall on deaf ears. The interests of Missourians don't line up with Sen. Obama's campaign," Blunt said in a media conference call arranged by McCain's campaign.