By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, January 20 at 12:38 PM
Missouri Republicans have forced State Auditor and U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill into a tough political situation.
Sen. Jim Talent sent out an email today drawing attention to comments made by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "If Claire McCaskill were in the Senate, there would be one less vote for Judge Alito," the former presidential candidate is quoted in a graphic (see below).
According to the AP, Dean made the comments after pointing out McCaskill in the audience at St. Stephen Baptist Church in Kansas City this week.
Since then, the McCaskill campaign has been distancing their candidate from the chairman's remarks.
"Dean certainly doesn't speak for Claire McCaskill and did not speak to her prior to making any comments," a spokesman told the AP. McCaskill is still weighing her opinion of Alito and has not come to any decision yet on whether to support his nomination, he added.
It's a tough position for McCaskill to be in. Her base of traditional Democratic supporters, including those fearful of Alito's remarks on Roe v. Wade, want her to speak out against the Bush nominee. But in doing so, she would play into the Republicans hands by linking herself with Dean, who is increasingly being portrayed as a "radical liberal."
UPDATE: McCaskill now says she opposes Alito.
2 Comments:
But in doing so, she would play into the Republicans hands by linking herself with Dean, who is increasingly being portrayed as a "radical liberal."
So what? The Republicans will call anyone who opposes them a "radical liberal."
4:30 AM, January 23, 2006
Evidently, Jack Danforth would be one of those "radical liberals" too.
7:02 AM, January 23, 2006
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