As candidates spend the week dialing for dollars, Dems are expected to get a new contestant in the race to replace Claire McCaskill as auditor. St. Louis County Republicans gather to remember the late Rep. Richard Byrd, and Young Republican groups in Kansas City and St. Louis are hosting local radio personalities at their monthly meetings. To listen to this podcast, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. For more information on the candidates and groups mentioned this week, visit www.johncombest.com. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

Claire McCaskill's decision to run for U.S. Senate has left the position of state auditor up for grabs. Who are the top contenders for the spot? Also, a Missouri Democratic blogger has begun his own series of podcasts this week - how should Republicans react? To listen, choose one of three options: the media player to the right; the icon above that reads "pod"; or download the mp3 file directly to your hard drive and open with your preferred media player. As always, you can find today's Missouri political headlines at http://www.johncombest.com. Questions and comments can be sent to john@johncombest.com.

The original version of this week's podcast was scrapped this morning (9/14) so we could discuss an article from yesterday's Washington Times. What happens when Republicans are so desperate to prove their "commitment to diversity" that they put responsibility in the hands of people who can't handle it? The case of one Republican organization based in D.C. could prove to be instructive for those of us in Missouri.

Dick Cheney is coming to Missouri - when, and why? What was the worst part for our party about Claire McCaskill winning last year's Democratic primary? What's not right about one new Missouri blog? Download the first edition of In the Loop with John Combest and find out now.