STL-PD: McCaskill endorses Obama, pledges to work for his election

[usregimechange]

By Deirdre Shesgreen
POST-DISPATCH WASHINGTON BUREAU
01/12/2008

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill endorsed Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Sunday, calling him "an extraordinary man at an extraordinary time in history."

McCaskill said she would do "everything I can" to make sure he wins the Missouri primary and the party’s nomination...

"This has not been an easy decision for me because so many women" in Missouri and elsewhere are backing Clinton, McCaskill said.

But McCaskill said that "only once in a generation" does a politician come along with Obama’s "particular gift" and argued that it would be "a terrible disappointment" if the country didn’t seize this moment.

One other factor in her decision: a lobbying effort mounted by her oldest daughter.

"At the to urging of my 18 year old daughter .... I could not sit in the bleachers any longer. I felt like I had to get down on the field," McCaskill said in a conference call with reporters.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/F767A54F336EC87B862573CF0007ACD6?OpenDocument

[skipos]

1. She isn't as progressive as Lamont or Kerry or some other O endorsers

but it is a good endorsement nonetheless.

[ikojo]

4. You are so right on that one about McCaskill not

being progressive. She's not seen a war appropriations bill she's not liked. When confronted on her pro war votes, McCaskill will say she understands the war is unpopular in St Louis and Kansas City but she must also consider rural Missourians and how they feel.

[Cha]

9. That's not good...I can understand

Dems not wanting to leave their constituents kids in Iraq high and dry but these people need to see that the only SAFE way is getting out of Iraq ASAP.

[dkf]

2. Its the kids...they realize what is at stake here.

I'm so proud of them!

[Sherman A1]

3. Yup, noted it on the front page of the Sunday Edition

might have something to do with him having campaigned for her during the 06 election. Saw them at a rally the Sunday before the election and he was a wonderful speaker.

[Cha]

10. It might indeed have something

to do with Obama helping her out in 2006.

[rockybelt]

5. I am from Missouri

and have emailed Senator Mccaskill a multitude of times concerning her voting record on the Iraq war.

Each and every time I have received a "canned" answer from her email server. When an email is sent to her, you have a choice of subjects to write about. When you select a subject, no matter the content of your email, you receive a canned answer thanking you for your input, blah, blah, blah.

Her endorsement of Obama means nothing to me.
An endorsement should have more depth than a request from your 18 year old daughter. Even if her daughter had suggested supporting Edwards or anyone else, I would feel the same.

[GalleryGod]

6. Boy, the Smear List is getting pretty long...Kerry,McCaskill, George Miller,(Speaker Pelosi's

"Consiglere"...

Have a nice "smear filled" day.

[rockybelt]

7. What smear?

Just facts and an observation.

[Sherman A1]

11. I too have emailed the Senator

and get the canned replies from her office. I don't expect personal ones, but a reply does mean they got the email and that is about all I can do. Contact her on issue that are important to me. In my book, she has a very mixed record of voting, but not near as bad as our Esteemed Senior Senator, Mr. Bond. So, ya do what ya can.

[Cha]

8. This is interesting to me that

Senator McCaskill's 18 year old daughter is the one who encouraged her to get outta the bleachers and on to the playing field!