Sure, a host of states in the rust belt corridor love to fancy themselves bellwethers — Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania — but Missouri might actually be able to boast genuine battleground status.

Just look at all of the attention we’re getting.

Tomorrow, Democratic veep nominee Joe Biden will make stops in Mehlville and Columbia.

Today, both ends of the Republican ticket appeared at a retirement community in Lee’s Summit, where, the Kansas City Star’s Prime Buzz blog reports, Sarah Palin received a rock star’s welcome.

“This is absolutely overwhelming,” she told the crowd. “Missouri, we love you.”

This is the second time in just over a week that John McCain and his running mate have stumped in Missouri. On the way to the national convention, the tandem headlined an Aug. 31 rally in O’Fallon.