By Steve Kraske

Call U.S. Rep. Sam Graves the comeback kid.

After a so-so second-quarter fundraising report, the 6th District Missouri Republican rebounded by raising $522,216 in the year’s third quarter as he gears up for a 2008 re-election bid against likely Democratic opponent Kay Barnes.

Graves reported $755,757 in the bank, opening a lead against Barnes, who said she had $577,558 as of Sept. 30. Graves benefited from Vice President Dick Cheney’s Sept. 17 Kansas City fundraiser, which generated about $275,000.

Graves and Barnes had reached the midway point of 2007 almost tied in cash on hand when Barnes outraised the four-term incumbent in the second quarter.

“We are on track to build the best grass-roots-based campaign in northwest Missouri history,” Graves spokesman Aaron Trost said.

Barnes raised $326,074 in the quarter ….

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