A "narrow" loss in MO means that either there was a lifeless R turnout after the R held White House, Senate and House led like D-held WH, Senate, and Congress, just enough voter irregularities, or a little of both. MO would have been front and center in the Bush/Gore election if Florida's corruption hadn't been even larger.
I actually remember that election night, as I was in St. Louis to watch my son’s college soccer match. A judge was found to order the polls to remain open late, to allow buses to bring in “voters” from East St. Louis (Illinois).
Here is your answer as to why Jim was dumped: unions, welfare slugs, Affies, and voter fraud.