Jim Talent's loss wasn't so much a slam-dunk by the Democrats. Talent WON in 2002 with 49.8 percent of the vote, to Jean Carnahan's 48.7 percent. Talent LOST in 2006 with 47.4 percent of the vote, to McCaskill's 49.4 percent. The Dem gains .7 percent; Talent loses 2.4 percent. A glaring difference: The Libertarian candidate went from 1 percent in 2002 to 2.3 percent in 2006. Libertarian gains were more pronounced in southwest Missouri's 7th District: ?In Lawrence County, McCaskill pulled 35.2 percent -- exactly as much as Carnahan in 2002. But Talent's share dwindled from 62.2 percent to 59.7...