Missouri. Gateway to the West. Barbecue, baseball and the blues. [Blues music] Home of Truman, Twain and the father of rock ’n’ roll. [Rock ’n’ roll music] Oh, and this thing. This former swing state packs political power. And while these days it’s leaning more red, it’s also home to one of the tightest Senate races in the nation. It’s a contest between a straight-talking, but politically vulnerable, Democratic incumbent. “It’s dirty. It’s unfair. But you know what? It’s worth it.” And an attorney general backed by President Trump. “Our country is at a critical turning point.” So what’s at stake? Trump won Missouri. But his popularity there is teetering. “I love you people.” This race? It could be a referendum on his presidency. It’s also one of the G.O.P.’s best shots at adding a seat to their slim majority in the Senate. So who are the candidates? Claire McCaskill: the Democrat. “When I think it’s the right thing for Missouri, I go after it.” She was elected to the Statehouse in 1982 and became the first female prosecutor for a large county in Missouri. McCaskill is known as a moderate Democrat who says she isn’t afraid to buck the party line. “I could care less what the national party thinks, or what they’re doing.” She’s also one of the wealthiest sitting senators in Congress, and it’s something she’s taken some heat for. “Claire spent big bucks chartering a private plane with public funds, a plane they co-owned. The Republican? Josh Hawley. He’s young and telegenic. “Josh is a star.” He went to an Ivy League school and clerked for a Supreme Court justice. Nine months after becoming Missouri’s attorney general, he announced his Senate candidacy. “I’m going to run for the United States Senate.” That didn’t really match up with his promise not to be a ladder-climbing politician. “Using one office to get another.” Also, his short time as attorney general has been characterized by chaotic management and high costs for taxpayers. Both candidates have tried to paint the other as out of touch with real Missourians. “D.C. changed Claire McCaskill.” “Josh Hawley. He’s just part of the problem in Jefferson City.” So what about the issues? Hawley is pretty happy with just about all of Trump’s policies. “I’ll tell you what, he’s delivering big for the state of Missouri and the United States of America, isn’t he?” He’s defended tariffs, and the practice of family separations for those who cross into the U.S. illegally. He’s also part of a lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “It has proven to be outrageously expensive for federal taxpayers.” McCaskill mostly likes Obamacare but thinks it needs a few fixes. “I’m not afraid to fight for folks’ health care.” She’s supported more Trump administration moves in the Senate than most other Democrats. “I voted for more than half of his cabinet members. I vote with him half the time.” Including a law rolling back regulations on banks. But she voted against both of Trump’s Supreme Court picks. And the polls? The margins are razor-thin. So the Show-Me State? They’ll be showing the nation just where they stand on Nov. 6. [Rapping]