McCaskill to skip Democratic National Convention

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

By HENRY C. JACKSON

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election in 2012, plans to skip the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

McCaskill’s campaign said Tuesday she will spend the week campaigning in her home state instead. She joined a growing list of Democrats in conservative districts who have decided to avoid the convention, which will be a showcase of President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.

McCaskill did not provide further comment on her decision.

Missouri was one of the few swing states that did not vote for Obama in 2008, and his approval ratings are stubbornly low there. Still, McCaskill’s absence will be notable: She played a prominent surrogate role for Obama in 2008, offering an early endorsement in his primary race against then-Sen. Hillary Clinton and continuing to offer support throughout the general election.

McCaskill attended the 2008 convention, though she was not up for re-election that year. In the past, she has regularly skipped her party’s convention when she is on the ballot. In 2004, for example, she did not attend the convention even though she was her party’s nominee for governor in Missouri.

Republicans have said repeatedly that McCaskill is one of their top Senate targets in 2012. The GOP needs to net four seats to take control of the Senate, a task both parties believe will be difficult unless McCaskill is unseated.

Each of McCaskill’s three potential Republican opponents have sought to tie her to Obama, a reflection of the president’s low standing in the state. In interviews, she has said she will not run away from Obama — whom she calls a personal friend — but says she also will not hesitate to point out areas where they disagree.

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GrumpyGus 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Methinks the SS Obama has struck an iceberg an all his old cronies are headed for the lifeboats. The Democrats have backed themselves into a corner. They claim any criticism of the president is racially motivated. Well now they can't disagree with him openly, so all they can do is "not endorse" him, or not campaign with him, or not send money. They don't like him and there is nothing they can do about it. Democrats won't admit it, but Obama is as much an albatross as Bush was claimed to be for the Republicans.

asb 10 months, 4 weeks ago

So the part about her usually skipping the Democratic convention in her election years actually tranlates to "bailing on Obama" in FRightWingese?

GrumpyGus 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Incumbents are typically never in a real fight for their seats. Her over the top support of Obummercare has made her vulnerable and she can't be seen with him. You are backing a loser on this one...a loser of his (and her) own making. I guarantee if Obumbles was up by 10 in the polls, she would be at the convention and look like a lap dog once again (as she did in '08).

GrumpyGus 10 months, 4 weeks ago

That is a fanstastic argument...well played.

spelchek 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Coward, at least stand by your vote and convictions. Please come back to Missouri and have more town hall's to explain why we're wrong and you're right about Obamacare just before your re-election. I would at least give you respect for that. Turncoat.

spelchek 10 months, 4 weeks ago

You're right, that's harsh.
Chicken is more appropriate. As stated, I wouldn't feel so strongly if she'd come back to Missouri, have more town hall meetings, and explain to us again why she put her name on this piece of garbage and why she was right to do so. That is courageous. Running away from your principles and your vote is cowardly. All Democrats that voted for Obamacare should make it the most important issue of their campaigns. However, that doesn't seem to be happening (not even our POTUS). Why?

*Apologies to any public figure that have to endure such vitriol and passion from people like us getting mad at our computer screens.

clingingredneck 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Rats fleeing the sinking ship! I have an e-mail from the Senator telling me how she doesn't understand why I am opposed to the HCRA. That she fully supports it and Obama. Now that things aren't looking quite so good she hides. Enjoy your time in Office Claire. The pied piper is coming.

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