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'{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}} {{BLP sources|date=March 2015}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Jim Talent |image = Jim Talent official photo.jpg |jr/sr = United States Senator |state = [[Missouri]] |term_start = November 23, 2002 |term_end = January 3, 2007 |predecessor = [[Jean Carnahan]] |successor = [[Claire McCaskill]] |office1 = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Small Business|House Small Business Committee]] |term_start1 = January 3, 1997 |term_end1 = January 3, 2001 |predecessor1 = [[Jan Meyers]] |successor1 = [[Don Manzullo]] |state2 = [[Missouri]] |district2 = {{ushr|MO|2|2nd}} |term_start2 = January 3, 1993 |term_end2 = January 3, 2001 |predecessor2 = [[Joan Kelly Horn|Joan Horn]] |successor2 = [[Todd Akin]] |office3 = Member of the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] |term_start3 = 1985 |term_end3 = 1993 |preceded3 = |succeeded3 = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|10|18}} |birth_place = [[Des Peres, Missouri|Des Peres]], [[Missouri]], [[United States|U.S.]] |death_date = |death_place = |party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |spouse = Brenda Lee Lyons {{small|(1984–present)}} |children = 3 |education = [[Washington University in St. Louis|Washington University]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}<br>[[University of Chicago]] {{small|([[Juris Doctor|JD]])}} }} '''James Matthes Talent''' (born October 18, 1956) is an [[United States|American]] politician and former [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[Missouri]]. He is a [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] and resided in the [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] area while serving in elected office. He identifies with the [[Conservatism|conservative]] wing of the Republican party, being outspoken on [[Judicial activism|judicial appointments]], [[abortion]], [[flag burning]], and defense issues. After serving for eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives and then working as a lobbyist, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, defeating Democrat [[Jean Carnahan]] in a special election to complete the term to which Carnahan's husband, [[Mel Carnahan|Mel]], had been elected posthumously in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/elections/15869206.htm |accessdate=February 7, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In the Democratic wave of November 2006, Talent lost his re-election bid to [[Claire McCaskill]], 50% to 47%. Talent, a senior adviser to [[Mitt Romney]]'s 2008 presidential campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Talent_Joins_Romney|title=Press Releases |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722131531/http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Talent_Joins_Romney |archivedate=July 22, 2012 }}</ref> served as a member of Romney's [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012]] Economic Policy Team during the 2012 Presidential Election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2011/09/mitt-announces-his-economic-policy-team |title=Mitt Announces His Economic Policy Team|accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722132009/http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2011/09/mitt-announces-his-economic-policy-team |archivedate=July 22, 2012 }}</ref> Talent is a distinguished fellow at the [[Heritage Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Haislmaier |first=Edmund F. |url=http://www.heritage.org/About/Staff/T/Jim-Talent?query=Jim+Talent |title=Jim Talent |publisher=Heritage.org |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025810/http://www.heritage.org/About/Staff/T/Jim-Talent?query=Jim+Talent |archivedate=September 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He is also a co-chairman at Mercury, a Washington D.C. lobbying firm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/house/261133-house-senate-campaigns-welcome-lobbyists-shunned-by-team-obama |title=House, Senate campaigns welcome lobbyists shunned by Team Obama |publisher=TheHill |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Following [[Donald Trump]]'s victory in the 2016 presidential election, Talent was rumored to be on the short list for [[United States Secretary of Defense]],<ref>{{cite web | last1=Herb | first1=Jeremy | title=Trump’s Latest Defense Secretary Shortlist | url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-defense/2016/11/trumps-latest-defense-secretary-shortlist-217431 | date=November 16, 2016 | publisher=[[Politico]] | accessdate=December 23, 2016}}</ref> a position ultimately offered to [[James Mattis]]. ==Personal life== Talent grew up in a middle-class family in [[Des Peres, Missouri]], a suburb of [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000024/ |title=TALENT, James Matthes – Biographical Information |publisher=Bioguide.congress.gov |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> His father, Milton Oscar Talent, was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, and was the first in his family to go to college, graduating from [[Harvard Law School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talentforsenate.com/about/ |title=About Senator Jim Talent |accessdate=October 25, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025200452/http://www.talentforsenate.com/about/ |archivedate=October 25, 2006 |website=talentforsenate.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20021029&id=PN8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7DsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633,5967426 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120713033056/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20021029&id=PN8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7DsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633,5967426 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |title=Milton Oscar Talent (obituary) |newspaper=Rome News-Tribune |date=October 29, 2002 }}</ref> Talent's mother, Marie Frieda (née Matthes), was an independent court reporter who was raised on a small farm near [[DeSoto, Missouri]]. She was from a Christian background;<ref name="2002ref">{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Kevin|title=Politics of the past echo in Senate race Republican wants to 'make a difference'|pages=|publisher=The Kansas City Star|date=October 20, 2002|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F6CA45319E1D3C0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|accessdate=May 15, 2009}} "Talent is deeply religious, although that was not his upbringing. His father was Jewish, his mother Christian. The family did not attend religious services."</ref> her German ancestors had settled in [[Jefferson County, Missouri]] beginning in 1832. Talent graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1973. He earned his [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in [[political science]] from [[Washington University in St. Louis]], graduating with the Arnold J. Lien Prize as the most outstanding undergraduate in political science. Talent graduated Order of the Coif from the [[University of Chicago Law School]], receiving his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] in 1981. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge [[Richard A. Posner]] of the [[U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit]]. Before winning political office Talent served as an adjunct professor at the [[Washington University Law school]]. He married Brenda Lee Lyons in 1984. The Talents have three children, Katy, Chrissy, and Michael. Talent's interfaith family did not attend religious services,<ref name="2002ref"/> and later in life Talent became a member of the [[Presbyterian Church in America]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=113C69A5BABC7020&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | title=Family matters : >BRENDA TALENT, wife of U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, uses on her husband's behalf the skills that have made her a top tax attorney and litigator | date=August 27, 2006|accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presbyteriannews.org/volumes/v8/4/pr34.pdf#search='Jim%20Talent%20PCA |title=Presbyterian & Reformed News : October -December 2002 |publisher=Presbyteriannews.org |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> He was inspired to become a Christian while listening to one of [[Luis Palau]]'s radio broadcasts in his car. He pulled over and accepted Jesus Christ into his life then. He refers to it as the moment he "passed from death to life."<ref>{{YouTube|6BF-_dT5rmk}}{{dead link|date=September 2017}}</ref> ==Political career== Talent began his political career in 1984 when he was elected to the [[Missouri House of Representatives]]. He served four terms there, the last two as minority leader. ===House of Representatives=== In the [[U.S. House election, 1992|1992 House of Representatives election]], Talent defeated [[George Herbert Walker III|Bert Walker]], the cousin of then-president [[George H. W. Bush]] and won the Republican nomination for the state's 2nd Congressional District, based in St. Louis's western suburbs. He went on to defeat [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] incumbent [[Joan Kelly Horn]] in the general election, despite being heavily outspent. The district had been altered after the [[U.S. Census, 1990|1990 census]] to preserve large Democratic majorities in the neighboring {{ushr|Missouri|1|1st District}} of [[Bill Clay]] and {{ushr|Missouri|3|3rd District}} of [[Dick Gephardt]]. Horn had appealed for a new map, even asking for a share of St. Louis, but was rebuffed by Clay and Gephardt. Although Talent won in 1992, he never had another close race in what became a solidly Republican district. The only challenge he faced came in the [[U.S. House election, 1996|1996 House election]], when Horn sought a rematch. Even though popular Democratic [[Governor of Missouri|Governor]] [[Mel Carnahan]] was running for reelection, Talent received 61% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=4&oid=936&arc=1 |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403035455/http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=4&oid=936&arc=1 |archivedate=April 3, 2015 |title=Official Election Returns: U.S. Representative - District 2 - Summary |date=November 21, 1996 |publisher=Office of Secretary of State, Missouri }}</ref> As a freshman in Congress, Talent authored and introduced the Welfare Reform Act of 1994, which was the precursor to the [[Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act]]. Talent served as chairman of the [[United States House Committee on Small Business|Small Business Committee]] from 1997 to 2001. Talent did not seek re-election to Congress in 2000, instead [[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|running for governor]]. He was defeated, narrowly, by Democratic state Treasurer [[Bob Holden]], 49% to 48%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=14&oid=4265&arc=1 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |dead-url=yes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403040653/http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=14&oid=4265&arc=1 |archivedate=April 3, 2015 |title=Official Election Returns: Governor - Summary |date=December 4, 2000 |publisher=Office of Secretary of State, Missouri }}</ref> ===Work as a lobbyist=== For ten months in 2001, Talent worked for Washington [[lobbying]] firm, [[Arent Fox]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sopr.senate.gov/cgi-win/m_opr_viewer.exe?DoFn%3D3%26LOB%3DTALENT%2C+JAMES+M.%26LOBQUAL |accessdate=October 16, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> earning $230,000. During this time Talent was not allowed to directly lobby Congress, and he was not licensed to practice law in Washington, leading some Democratic opponents to accuse the lobbying firm of using his appointment as an illegal conduit to donate toward his upcoming Senate race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=allfields(talent)%20and%20allfields(arent)%20and%20allfields(%22pay%20for%20work%22)%20AND%20date(2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22talent%22)%20and%20(%22arent%22)%20and%20(%22pay%20for%20work%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |title=ST. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper Archives |publisher=Nl.newsbank.com |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Arent Fox said the idea that Talent was not paid for genuine work was "absurd", but that "Talent's Republican ties did play a role in his hiring."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=allfields(talent)%20and%20allfields(arent)%20and%20allfields(absurd)%20AND%20date(2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22talent%22)%20and%20(%22arent%22)%20and%20(%22absurd%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |title=ST. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper Archives |publisher=Nl.newsbank.com |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> ===U.S. Senate=== ====2002 election==== In the November 2000 elections, [[Mel Carnahan]], who had died in a plane crash three weeks before, remained on the ballot for election to the Senate. Missouri election law would not allow for Carnahan's name to be removed from the November ballot. Carnahan received more votes than his Republican opponent, incumbent senator (and later [[United States Attorney General]]) [[John Ashcroft]]. [[Lieutenant Governor]] [[Roger B. Wilson|Roger Wilson]], as he had promised before the election, appointed Carnahan's widow, [[Jean Carnahan|Jean]], in her husband's place. The [[Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Seventeenth Amendment]] requires that appointments to the Senate last only until a special election is held. Talent, who received the Republican nomination, narrowly defeated Jean Carnahan in the November 2002 election, 50% to 49%. He was sworn in later that month to fill out the balance of Mel Carnahan's term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/chronlist.pdf |format=PDF |title=Senators of the United States : 1789-present |publisher=Senate.gov |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=87&oid=24756&arc=1 |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402204314/http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=87&oid=24756&arc=1 |archivedate=April 2, 2015 |title=Official Election Returns: U.S. Senator - Summary |date=November 21, 2012 |publisher=Office of Secretary of State, Missouri }}</ref> [[Jack Abramoff]] contributed $2,000 to Talent's 2002 senatorial campaign<ref>{{cite web |url=http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_ind/S2MO00353/1/A/ |title=Individuals Who Gave To James Matthes Talent |publisher=Query.nictusa.com |accessdate=March 14, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608143244/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_ind/S2MO00353/1/A/ |archivedate=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and [[Preston Gates & Ellis]], a former Abramoff employer, had also contributed $1,000 to Talent's campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/S2MO00353 |title=Committees Who Gave To This Candidate |publisher=Query.nictusa.com |accessdate=March 14, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608145029/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/S2MO00353 |archivedate=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Talent later returned both contributions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibrary/HotlineListofReturnedDonations01.06.06.pdf |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203214944/http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibrary/HotlineListofReturnedDonations01.06.06.pdf |archivedate=February 3, 2007 |title=Returned Abramoff Personal Donations |page=3 |date=January 6, 2006 |newspaper=National Journal |via=citizensforethics.org }}</ref> Talent has been criticized for not returning the money received from [[Americans for a Republican Majority]] (ARMPAC), a PAC formed by [[Tom DeLay]]. DeLay was facing charges of money laundering and violation of campaign finance laws. A spokesman for Talent has stated that Talent has not yet made a decision about whether or not to return the ARMPAC contribution, stating "Senator Talent is not ready to presume guilt or innocence and wants to give the judicial process a chance to move forward."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid%3D15581098%26BRD%3D1452%26PAG%3D461%26dept_id%3D155076%26rfi%3D6 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=September 12, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035431/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15581098&BRD=1452&PAG=461&dept_id=155076&rfi=6 |archivedate=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> [[File:US Navy 041202-N-7469S-003 U.S. Senator James Talent (R-MO) addresses a group of Sailors from Missouri on board Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain.jpg|thumb|Senator Talent addresses a group of sailors from Missouri on board [[Naval Support Activity Bahrain]] in 2004]] During his tenure, Talent served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Special Committee on Aging, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and Energy and Natural Resources Committee. ====2006 election==== {{main article|Missouri U.S. Senate election, 2006}} Talent sought re-election in the [[U.S. Senate election, 2006|2006 Senate election]]. His Democratic opponent was state Auditor [[Claire McCaskill]]. Talent held a fundraising advantage,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11454552/ |accessdate=February 23, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> in part because of support from the Bush administration; on October 11, 2005, Vice President [[Dick Cheney]] held a fundraiser for Talent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.showmenews.com/2005/Oct/20051022News024.asp |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531073033/http://showmenews.com/2005/Oct/20051022News024.asp |archivedate=May 31, 2006 |title=Cheney talks at Talent fundraiser |date=October 22, 2005 |newspaper=Columbia Daily Tribune |agency=Associated Press }}</ref> Talent accepted $5,000 from the lobbyist [[Jack Abramoff]]. Talent subsequently refunded all $5,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10723902/ |title=Lawmakers return Abramoff donations – politics &#124; NBC News |publisher=Msnbc.msn.com |date=January 5, 2006 |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Talent received a number of endorsements for his re-election, including from the Missouri Farm Bureau,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/c261de75-c0a8-2f11-0163-66f433d41528/ff93c3ca-c0a8-2f11-01c0-35ae87ae9913 |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105103601/http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/c261de75-c0a8-2f11-0163-66f433d41528/ff93c3ca-c0a8-2f11-01c0-35ae87ae9913 |archivedate=November 5, 2006 |title=Missouri Farm Bureau Endorses Talent for Senate |date=August 11, 2006 |publisher=[[KOMU-TV]] }}</ref> the St. Louis Police Officers' Association,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/news-politicalfix/2006/09/st-louis-police-group-endorses-talent/print/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120912054214/http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/news-politicalfix/2006/09/st-louis-police-group-endorses-talent/print/ |dead-url=yes |archive-date=September 12, 2012 |accessdate=October 10, 2006 }}</ref> the Missouri Pork Association,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1162463.html |title=Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Talent receives endorsement of Missouri Pork Association (07/31/06) |publisher=Marshallnews.com |date=July 31, 2006 |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors,<ref name="autogenerated2"/> the Missouri Corn Growers Association,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.mocorn.org/news/2006/NewsRelease-071606Talent.htm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514095453/http://www.mocorn.org/news/2006/NewsRelease-071606Talent.htm |archivedate=May 14, 2008 |title= Missouri Corn Growers Endorse Senator Talent |publisher=Missouri Corn Growers Association |date=July 16, 2006 }}</ref> and [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talentforsenate.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=138 |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204162843/http://www.talentforsenate.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=138 |archivedate=February 4, 2012 |title= VFW Endorses Senator Talent |website=talentforsenate.com |date=September 22, 2006 }}</ref> In 2006, the Washington DC newspaper ''Roll Call'' reported that DC lobbying interests had pledged to raise $1 million for Talent's re-election.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15096600.htm |accessdate=October 25, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Talent stated that he does not give favors in exchange for donations, and that he “wouldn’t take five dollars from someone who expects something for it." <ref name=autogenerated1 /> McCaskill and Talent debated each other on ''[[Meet the Press]]'' on October 8, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/politics/15221409.htm |accessdate=August 8, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> McCaskill narrowly defeated Talent on November 7, 2006, with a 50% to 47% margin of victory. Having lost his bid for re-election, Talent was considered a possible candidate for [[Governor of Missouri]] in 2008 after incumbent [[Matt Blunt]] decided to not seek re-election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/FCA083049BDE7797862573D8007A9DC0?OpenDocument |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625213323/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/FCA083049BDE7797862573D8007A9DC0?OpenDocument |archivedate=June 25, 2008 }}</ref> Talent did not enter the race, which was won by Democrat [[Jay Nixon]]. ==Political views== Talent is widely regarded by political analysts as a reliable [[Conservatism|conservative]], receiving a life score of 93 out of 100 from the [[American Conservative Union]]. The [[National Right to Life Committee]] gave Talent a 100% rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/scorecard/?chamber=S&session=109&x=9&y=10 |title=Vote ScoreCard |publisher=Capwiz.com |date=January 17, 2006 |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> In 2005, Talent was tied for the third-highest rating among all senators and representatives as determined by the [[Republican Liberty Caucus]], which promotes "liberty-minded, limited-government individuals to office."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=004155M&sort=rating |title=Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System |publisher=Vote-smart.org |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061204200919/http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=004155M&sort=rating |archivedate=December 4, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.republicanliberty.org/candid/c_look.asp?LYear=2006&LPos=FLS&LState=ANY |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127081500/http://www.republicanliberty.org/candid/c_look.asp?LYear=2006&LPos=FLS&LState=ANY |archivedate=November 27, 2013 |title=RLC Endorses Candidates |publisher=Republican Liberty Caucus |date=January 19, 2006 }}</ref> ===Flag Desecration Amendment=== Talent is a cosponsor of the [[Flag Desecration Amendment]], which would make it constitutional to criminalize flag burning. He argues that this does not conflict with freedom of speech by suggesting that flag burning is not speech. His office has said, "...burning the flag is not speech; it is an act with expressive overtones."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talentforsenate.com/blog/blogitem.aspx?id=29 |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204162835/http://www.talentforsenate.com/blog/blogitem.aspx?id=29 |archivedate=February 4, 2012 |title=Observing Flag Day |date=June 14, 2006 |website=talentforsenate.com }}</ref> ===Energy=== Talent supported the new [[Renewable Fuel Standard]], which would add {{convert|7.5|e9USgal|m3}} of renewable fuels to the national supply by 2012, including a measure to include tax credits for businesses offering soybean-based fuels.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.mosoy.org/msf/2006/07.06.PDF |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324211222/http://www.mosoy.org/msf/2006/07.06.PDF |archivedate=March 24, 2009 |magazine=Missouri Soybean Farmer |orig-year=Pre-Harvest 2006 |title=U.S. Sen. Talent Supports Missouri Agriculture |date=July 6, 2006 |page=6 |first1=Laura |last1=Bolte |first2=Hannah |last2=Nelson }}</ref> In addition to renewable fuels, Talent supported drilling in the Arctic as a step in the direction of energy independence, which he sees as critical to national security.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1164558.html |newspaper=The Marshall Democrat-News |department=Local News |title=Talent: 'We're going to be in a new world – a renewable world' |date=August 17, 2006 |publisher=Marshallnews.com |accessdate=September 13, 2017 }}</ref> ===Health care=== Talent supported the [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] prescription drug benefit called [[Medicare Part D]], the purpose of which is to reduce the amount seniors pay for their prescription drugs.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,191363,00.html | work=Fox News | title=Bush Promotes Medicare Prescription Drug Plan in Missouri | date=April 11, 2006 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=September 13, 2017 }}</ref> Talent called for waiving a one percent penalty for senior citizens who missed the deadline to sign up for the program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=E6B41D4F-E38C-4BAF-8E5D5FF12114BA01&dbtranslator=local.cfm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802223420/http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=E6B41D4F-E38C-4BAF-8E5D5FF12114BA01&dbtranslator=local.cfm |archivedate=August 2, 2009 |title= Talent Calls for Waiver of Penalty for Seniors Enrolling in Drug Benefit |date=May 17, 2006 |first=Steve |last=Walsh |website=Missourinet |publisher=Learfield Communications }}</ref> Talent voted against an amendment allowing Medicare to negotiate a bulk purchase discount for prescription drugs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.issues2000.org/social/Jim_Talent_Health_Care.htm |title=Jim Talent on Health Care |publisher=Issues2000.org |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> Talent supported limiting awards in medical liability lawsuits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050602-14.html |title=President's Remarks at Talent for Senate Dinner |publisher=Georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> He believes that "medical liability relief will cut costs because physicians won’t have to practice 'defensive medicine.'"<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=http://www.naw.org/Content/ContentGroups/News2/WDPAC_Endorses_Senator_Jim_Talent_for_Re-Election.htm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930044100/http://www.naw.org/Content/ContentGroups/News2/WDPAC_Endorses_Senator_Jim_Talent_for_Re-Election.htm |archivedate=September 30, 2007 |title=WDPAC Endorses Senator Jim Talent for Re-Election |date=September 30, 2007 |publisher=National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors }}</ref> Talent supported and proposed legislation to allow trade organizations to sponsor health insurance plans, which he believes would provide uninsured workers the opportunity for more affordable health care.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stjoenews-press.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=75180&SectionID=81&SubSectionID=&S=1 |accessdate=September 13, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008133557/http://www.stjoenews-press.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=75180&SectionID=81&SubSectionID=&S=1 |archivedate=October 8, 2007 }}</ref> ===Predatory lending=== Talent sponsored legislation to cap the annual percentage interest rate for [[payday loan]]s to military service personnel from an average of around 39% to 36%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15062520 |title=Congress to limit rates for payday loans – Business – US business &#124; NBC News |publisher=Msnbc.msn.com |date=September 29, 2006 |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> ===Stem cell research=== After joining the Senate in 2002, Talent supported federal legislation that would ban embryonic [[stem cell research]] or federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. This included cosponsoring a bill (S.658)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:s.658: |title=Bill Text – 109th Congress (2005-2006) – THOMAS (Library of Congress) |publisher=Thomas.loc.gov |date=March 17, 2005 |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> sponsored by Senator [[Sam Brownback]], which would ban all forms of human cloning including embryonic therapeutic cloning techniques that are seen as crucial to stem cell research. This law was unnecessary because President [[Bill Clinton]] outlawed [[human cloning]] in 1998. On February 10, 2006, Talent withdrew his support for the bill,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/13845435.htm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313143147/http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/13845435.htm |archivedate=March 13, 2006 |title=Talent changes stem-cell stance |date=March 13, 2006 |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |first1=Matt |last1=Stearns |first2=Steve |last2=Kraske }}</ref> citing the need to balance research and protection against human cloning. This move followed criticism by Talent's opponent in the 2006 election, [[Claire McCaskill]], as well as pressure from Missouri business interests that oppose restrictions on stem cell research. Though this reversal was criticized as being politically motivated,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11410626/site/newsweek |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129111847/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11410626/site/newsweek/ |archivedate=November 29, 2006 |title=Stem-Cell Dilemmas |magazine=Newsweek |date=February 17, 2006 |first=Eleanor |last=Clift }}</ref> Talent told the Associated Press, "The technology is changing all the time and so I'm always considering whether there is a better way to strike the balance."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/13710191.htm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029015314/http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/13710191.htm |archivedate=October 29, 2006 }}</ref> Talent suggested that moral concerns might be put to rest through a possible future scientific breakthrough – replicating embryonic stem cells without the use of cloned embryos. There was a ballot-initiative in Missouri in November 2006 to amend the state constitution and allow, in line with federal law, stem cell research and treatment.<ref name="MO-SOS-Ballot-2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006ballot/ |title=SOS, Missouri – Elections: 2006 Ballot Measures |publisher=Sos.mo.gov |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> On May 1, 2006, Talent announced his opposition to the proposed ballot-initiative.<ref>{{cite news | title=A wedge issue that helps Democrats: Stem cell research is dividing Missouri's GOP | author=Kristen Hinman | date=July 17, 2006 | publisher=''Salon.com''}}</ref> Stem cell research and treatment is working up to be a divisive issue for many Republicans and is taking a particular prominence in Missouri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/24/news/stem.php |accessdate=May 2, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In July 2006, he voted against expanding federal funds for embryonic stem cell research in cases where the embryos were donated by fertility clinics or were created for purposes of fertility treatment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Oct/20061022Feat004.asp |archive-url=https://archive.is/20061024093525/http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Oct/20061022Feat004.asp |dead-url=yes |archive-date=October 24, 2006 |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |title=Missouri race catches nation's eye |newspaper=Columbia Daily Tribune |date=October 22, 2006 |first=Terry |last=Ganey }}</ref> This bill passed the Senate 63–37, but was vetoed by President Bush, in a move that was said to have significant political implications for Talent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/19/AR2006071900524.html |title=Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush's First Veto |publisher=Washingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> ===Minimum wage=== Talent did take a position on the ballot-initiative in Missouri, called Proposition B, that would raise the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 per hour, or to the level of the federal minimum wage if that is higher, with subsequent adjustments for inflation.<ref name="MO-SOS-Ballot-2006"/> He said he believed it was a state issue, but stated he supports minimum wage increases if they are coupled with tax breaks for small businesses.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/E5D658A528E480B78625720C0054E53B?OpenDocument | title=Many jabs in debate but no KO | author=Matt Franck | date=October 19, 2006 | publisher=''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'' }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Talent believed that increasing the minimum wage could reduce the number of jobs by raising the cost of doing business.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/talents_bid_for_reelection_to.html | title=Talent’s Bid for Second Term Just Like His First – a Tossup | author=Lauren Phillips | date=September 29, 2006 | publisher=''CQPolitics.com'' | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061027160009/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/talents_bid_for_reelection_to.html | archivedate=October 27, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Methamphetamine=== Talent cosponsored the Combat Meth Act with Sen. [[Dianne Feinstein]] (D-CA). The legislation, which was attached to the reauthorization of the [[USA Patriot Act]], passed on March 2, 2006 and restricts the sale of products necessary to produce [[methamphetamines]]. President Bush signed the act into law on March 9, 2006. As a result of the act, certain cold medicines are only to be made available behind the counter and the amount of such medicines that can be purchased by one person is limited.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://feinstein.senate.gov/06releases/r-patriot-meth0302.htm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718042035/http://feinstein.senate.gov/06releases/r-patriot-meth0302.htm |archivedate=July 18, 2011 |title=Senate-Approved USA Patriot Act Conference Report Includes Feinstein Anti-Meth, Port Security Legislation |publisher=U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein |date=March 2, 2006 }}</ref> ===War in Iraq=== Although Talent was not in Congress at the time of the 2002 vote authorizing the war in [[Iraq]], he stated in October 2006 that he would have voted for the war knowing that Iraq had no [[weapons of mass destruction]]. Talent did not support a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq until American troops are able to train up an Iraqi army capable of maintaining security within the country. Talent has written that defense spending should remain at an elevated level, even after all American forces are withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/gates-legacy_520697.html |title=The Gates Legacy |publisher=Weeklystandard.com |date=December 13, 2010 |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> ===Abortion=== Talent supported a ban on abortions, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID%3D%2F20061017%2FNEWS0602%2F61017001%2F1007%2FNEWS05 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=March 14, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234945/http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061017%2FNEWS0602%2F61017001%2F1007%2FNEWS05 |archivedate=September 26, 2007 |df= }}</ref> ===Bioterrorism=== Talent has been outspoken about what he sees as the nation's vulnerability to a growing [[bioterrorism]] threat. He is Vice Chair of the bipartisan [[Commission on the Prevention of WMD proliferation and terrorism]], which has concluded that, unless action is taken, a biological attack within the United States is increasingly likely and will become a probability by 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freedomsolutions.org/2010/01/sen-talent-washington-post-op-ed/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120801164210/http://www.freedomsolutions.org/2010/01/sen-talent-washington-post-op-ed/ |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |dead-url=yes |title=Sen. Talent: Washington Post Op-Ed |publisher=American Freedom & Enterprise Foundation |website=freedomsolutions.org |access-date=September 13, 2017 }}</ref> Together with [[Bob Graham|former Senator Bob Graham]], Chairman of the Commission, he has criticized the federal government's readiness to deal with major public health crisis'. On January 4, 2010, the two Senators published an op-ed in the ''[[Washington Post]]'', arguing that an unsatisfactory response to the [[2009 flu pandemic]] shows the need for better medical emergency plans.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/03/AR2010010301812.html | work=The Washington Post | title=H1N1 response shows need for better medical emergency plans | first1=Bob | last1=Graham | first2=Jim | last2=Talent | date=January 4, 2010 | accessdate=May 6, 2010}}</ref> ==Electoral history== * '''2006 election for U.S. Senate''' ** Jim Talent (R), 47% ** [[Claire McCaskill]] (D), 50% ** Frank Gilmour (L), 2% * '''2002 election for U.S. Senate''' ** Jim Talent (R), 50% ** [[Jean Carnahan]] (D), 49% ** [[Tamara Millay|Tamara A. Millay]] (L) 1% ** Daniel "Digger" Romano (G) <1% * '''2000 election for Missouri Governor''' ** [[Bob Holden]] (D), 49% ** Jim Talent (R), 48% * '''1998 election for U.S. House of Representatives''' ** Jim Talent (R), 70% ** [[John Ross (author)|John Ross]] (D), 28% ** Brian Lundy (L), 2% * '''1996 election for U.S. House of Representatives''' ** Jim Talent (R), 61% ** [[Joan Kelly Horn]] (D), 37% * '''1994 election for U.S. House of Representatives''' ** Jim Talent (R), 67% ** Pat Kelley (D), 31% ** Jim Higgens (L), 2% * '''1992 election for U.S. House of Representatives''' ** Jim Talent (R), 50% ** [[Joan Kelly Horn]] (D), 48% ** Jim Higgens (L), 0% * '''1992 Race for U.S. House of Representatives (Republican Primary)''' ** Jim Talent (R), 58% ** [[George Herbert Walker III|Bert Walker]] (R), 32% ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== * {{CongLinks | congbio=t000024 | votesmart= | fec=H2MO02037 | congress= }}<!-- Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template: * [http://www.nndb.com/people/302/000032206 Biography] at [[NNDB]] * [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/300096 Congressional profile] at [[GovTrack]] * [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00005004 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]] * [http://www.legistorm.com/member/94/Rep_Jim_Talent_MO.html Staff salaries, trips and personal finance] at LegiStorm.com * [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=73315 Financial information (state office)] at the National Institute for Money in State Politics * [http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Jim_Talent.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]] * [http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2007-135122 Works by or about Jim Talent] in libraries ([[WorldCat]] catalog) * [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/jimtalent Appearances] on [[C-SPAN]] programs * [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/james_m_talent/index.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The New York Times]]'' * --> * [http://clerk.house.gov/members/electionInfo/elections.html House Clerk Office Election info] * [http://myclob.pbworks.com/w/page/21958248/Jim%20Talent Talent shares his thoughts on Mitt Romney], February 1, 2007 * {{C-SPAN|jamestalent}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Joan Kelly Horn|Joan Horn]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Missouri|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Missouri's 2nd congressional district]]|years=1993–2001}} {{s-aft|after=[[Todd Akin]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Jan Meyers]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Small Business|House Small Business Committee]]|years=1997–2001}} {{s-aft|after=[[Don Manzullo]]}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Margaret B. Kelly|Margaret Kelly]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[List of Governors of Missouri|Governor of Missouri]]|years=[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|2000]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[Matt Blunt]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[John Ashcroft]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[List of United States Senators from Missouri|U.S. Senator]] from [[Missouri]]<br>([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 1]])|years=[[United States Senate special election in Missouri, 2002|2002]], [[United States Senate election in Missouri, 2006|2006]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[Todd Akin]]}} |- {{s-par|us-sen}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jean Carnahan]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States Senators from Missouri|U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Missouri]]|years=2002–2007|alongside=[[Kit Bond]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[Claire McCaskill]]}} {{s-end}} {{USSenMO}} {{US House Small Business chairs}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Talent, Jim}} [[Category:1956 births]] [[Category:American legal scholars]] [[Category:American people of German descent]] [[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]] [[Category:American Presbyterians]] [[Category:Converts to Presbyterianism]] [[Category:Jewish United States Senators]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Members of the Missouri House of Representatives]] [[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri]] [[Category:Missouri Republicans]] [[Category:People from St. Louis County, Missouri]] [[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives]] [[Category:Republican Party United States Senators]] [[Category:The Heritage Foundation]] [[Category:United States Senators from Missouri]] [[Category:University of Chicago Law School alumni]] [[Category:Washington University in St. Louis alumni]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]]'