For a generation, Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton has been politically untouchable.
A Democrat in a Republican-leaning district, Skelton has regularly won re-election with about two-thirds of the vote while cultivating a conservative reputation and capitalizing on his military expertise to become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
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Come 2010, however, Skelton, like many of his red-state Democratic colleagues, may face a formidable challenge.
Republican strategists believe they can capitalize on Skelton’s support of President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan, climate control legislation and, potentially, his proposed health care overhaul to paint the 78-year-old congressman as out of touch with constituents.
The National Republican Congressional Committee plans to target Skelton with health care-related radio ads in coming weeks. Two Republicans with state legislative experience are preparing to challenge him. And the state Republican Party pledges a “benchmark” campaign.
“Is it an uphill battle? Certainly,” said state GOP Executive Director Lloyd Smith. But he added: “I think the people in the 4th District are going to say, ‘It’s time for a change.’ ”
Skelton says he’s prepared for a political fight.
“Every year I am, I never stop. I stay close to the people I represent,” Skelton said recently at the Missouri State Fair, where attendees at a bipartisan political breakfast wore “I Like Ike” stickers.
Not since 1996 has Skelton faced a Republican opponent with a well-financed, active campaign. Even then, Skelton carried 64 percent of the vote over Bill Phelps, a former Missouri lieutenant governor.
But Republicans hope to seize on economic concerns to portray Skelton as a fiscal liberal. They note his support for the deficit-enlarging stimulus and a bill seeking to reduce greenhouse gases through a cap-and-trade program allowing pollution permits to be bought and sold. Critics say the legislation would cost consumers, particularly in states such as Missouri that depend heavily on coal-fired power plants.
Skelton said he voted for the climate change legislation because House Agricultural Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., inserted protections and exemptions for the agricultural industry.
Republicans assert Skelton has shed his conservative voting habits and become increasingly aligned with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Of the 684 House roll call votes so far this year, Skelton voted with his party 96 percent of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly. Five years ago, his rate was 80 percent. Ten years ago, Skelton voted with a majority of Democrats just 61 percent of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly.
State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, is looking to challenge Skelton. So is former state Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, a spokeswoman for supporters of a successful 2006 state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
“The leadership in Washington is advancing policies that I believe are destroying our economy and hurting our families and bankrupting our future,” Hartzler said.
