Talking Politics

Talking Politics from KBIA News brings you a weekly look at politics in Missouri. Formerly known as Political Pulse, this program presents stories from the political arena. Hosted by Sara Wittmeyer.

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05/13/08 Missouri voters may need to show ID in future elections if a joint resolution makes its through the Senate. The proposed Photo ID law would amend the Missouri constitution and require voters to present some form of identification when they go to the polls. This is a story we first brought you about a month ago, but the resolution is facing a critical deadline this week if it is going to appear on the November ballot. We’ll have the latest on the measure coming up….

Ethanol production is booming in Missouri. Lawmakers disagree on the degree this is affecting grocery prices but it is an ongoing debate especially as the cost of food continues to increase. We’ll have more just ahead…

Presidential primaries have become a staple in the political landscape. In "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," commentator Terry Smith begins a two-part series explaining the roots of the process.

05/06/08 A bill that would repeal Missouri's universal helmet law is making its way through the state legislature. The house passed the measure early last month and on May 1st it was placed on the senate's calendar. In the 1970s the federal government started offering state’s incentives to require all motorcycle drivers to wear helmets. Several states that enacted laws have since repealed them. For years, Missouri lawmakers have been trying to change the states universal helmet law into a partial one. The current proposed legislation would require only drivers and passengers under age 21 to wear a helmet. KBIA's Martin Winkler reports.

Indiana and North Carolina will hold their Democratic presidential primaries today. Some polls show Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a dead heat. In this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," commentator Terry Smith explains why the race is so tight and how it would be impossible for anyone to predict which candidate will get the nomination.

04/29/08 Democratic candidates running for Missouri's 25th District recently took part in a moderated forum. Candidates Sean Spence, Mary Still, and Bob Pund explained their stance on issues and how they plan to stand out from their opponents. KBIA's Martin Winkler reports...

The lone Republican in the race is Columbia resident Ryan Asbridge. He's a former Navy reserve intelligence officer and a teacher and coach. He says Republicans and Democrats all share the same fundamental goals. If elected, he says he will bring the parties together and improve the political climate in the House of Representatives.

Hillary Clinton has renewed momentum after her win last week in Pennsylvania. But it's still a tight race between the New York senator and her challenger Barack Obama. So both campaigns continue to press on... but at what expense to the Democratic Party? Commentator Terry Smith explains in this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington."

04/22/08 Average citizens weren't the only ones who had to submit their finances to the government on April 15th. Candidates in Missouri running for the U.S. Ninth Congressional District seat and for State Representative in the 25th District reported their fundraising figures as well. KBIA's Brian Pellot has more.

There have been voter ID requirements statewide in Missouri since 1993, and in Boone County since the early 80s. But the issue of requiring additional identification to vote keeps coming up. KBIA's Mike Moreau reports...

Now the latest from the campaign trail... In this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," Terry Smith asks, "Are all of the presidential candidates out of touch with the working class?"

04/15/08 The Pew Center recently graded all the nation's state governments. This week in Talking Politics, we'll tell you how Missouri ranked...

And, in this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," it's the Beatles and politics. Terry Smith examines the connection between the two.

04/08/08 It's election day today and area voters are making decisions about the Columbia city council and board of education. There's also a proposed tax levy for the school district to be reckoned with. And voters in Jefferson City are deciding whether or not to repeal a prohibition on casino and riverboat gambling.

Our reporters started the day out in the rain and at the polls talking with voters, poll workers and volunteers.

We also caught up with county clerks across mid-Missouri to find out how they were preparing for the big day today, and what their expectations are.

04/01/08 Columbia voters will see two sewer bond issues on the April 8th ballot. One proposal is for the city of Columbia and the other is for Boone County. The county and the city are asking for the bonds to improve their systems to meet new federally mandated requirements. KBIA's Martin Winkler tells us what these two proposals could mean for Columbia and Boone County residents.

In this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," commentator Terry Smith examines the country's two-party system... and explains why third parties are generally weak.

03/25/08 There are five candidates running for three seats on the seven member Columbia School Board. Each of the candidates participated recently in an election forum. KBIA's Akiko Oda reports.

And in this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," Missouri as a bellwether state.

03/18/08 Columbia is divided into six council wards. In less than a month, voters in two of those wards will elect someone to represent their area. An incumbent candidate is running unopposed in the fifth ward, but in the first ward three opponents are challenging the incumbent. We'll introduce you to those running for a seat on city council.

And, in this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," Commentator Terry Smith looks at whether surrogates sling more mud than the candidates.

03/11/08 Columbia voters will see three issues on the April ballot. Two of them deal with sewer projects...and the other question is about a tax increase for the Columbia School District. KBIA's Akiko Oda has more...

Each year Missouri students travel to the State Capitol for a real life lesson in lobbying. It's called Student Advocacy Day. KBIA's Michael Moreau attended the event in Jefferson City and has this report...

Republicans are uniting behind Senator John McCain and his bid for the White House. Democrats, on the other hand, seem more divided than ever. In this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," Columbia College Professor and Dean Terry Smith asks what will happen if neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama has a majority by the start of the Democratic National Convention.

03/04/08 Missouri politicians may face tougher restrictions as they try to raise money for their campaigns...

...Perhaps good news for drivers, lawmakers are considering legislation that would place additional restrictions on the amount of money communities can collect from speed traps.

Then finally in this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," it's rare that a politician makes the move from Capitol Hill to the White House, but now it seems likely that'll happen in the near future. Terry Smith has more in his weekly commentary.

02/26/08 Missouri Democrats are planning to caucus this week to choose delegates for the state convention.

A group of young people travel to the capitol to urge lawmakers to support a moratorium on executions ...

Finally, in this week's "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," Terry Smith examines the Clinton family ...

02/19/08 After nearly a half century in power, Cuban president Fidel Castro is resigning. A local analyst explains what it means for the island, the United States, and Cuban refugees living in America.

Plus, a foreign policy expert comes to Columbia to talk about why he thinks the United States needs to focus on improving relations with Iran rather than making threats or considering a confrontation.

We'll also hear a new commentary from Terry Smith.

02/12/08 In this week's edition of Talking Politics we do a recap of Super Tuesday. Missouri is often looked at as a state that can help predict how the rest of the country will vote. But this year, Missouri's presidential primary was not clear cut. We look at the tight race between Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Then KBIA's Amy DiFrancesco checks in with the Missouri GOP. Austin Coates finds out how Mitt Romney's decision to suspend his campaign translates among voters who supported him.

And finally in "Mr. Smith Talks to Washington," analyst and commentator Terry Smith explains the new buzz word, "superdelegates."

To access the 2007 archive of Talking Politics features in streaming audio, click here.