The POC - Party Of Cowards... 'Claire McCaskill To Skip Democratic National Convention'

[WillyT]

Claire McCaskill To Skip Democratic National Convention
The Huffington Post | By Elise Foley
Posted: 06/26/2012 3:19 pm Updated: 06/26/2012 4:59 pm



<snip>

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) joined the growing group of Democrats who will skip the Democratic National Convention, Talking Points Memo reported Monday.

"In years when Claire is on the ballot, she has historically not gone to the convention because she believes it's important to stay in Missouri to talk to voters," a McCaskill aide told TPM.

This year, a number of Democrats won't be in attendance. West Virginians Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall -- all of whom are running for reelection in 2012 -- aren't going to the convention.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Reps. Bill Owens (D-N.Y.), Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Mark Critz (D-Pa.) also plan to stay away.

<snip>

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/claire-mccaskill-democratic-national-convention_n_1628289.html

***************************************************************

Claire McCaskill Will Not Attend Democratic National Convention
PEMA LEVY - TPM
JUNE 26, 2012, 2:31 PM

<snip>

Claire McCaskill will not be attending the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, a McCaskill aide confirmed to TPM Tuesday. McCaskill joins a list of vulnerable Democratic politicians whose home districts are hostile ground for President Obama and who will be steering clear of the convention.

<snip>

Slideshow: http://media.talkingpointsmemo.com/slideshow/skipping-democratic-national-convention

Link: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/claire-mccaskill-not-going-to-dem-convention.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

[xchrom]

1. Interesting crew. NT

[WillyT]

2. The Lieberman... It Grows...

Worse than a yeast infection.

[sadbear]

31. I'm surprised Joe isn't pulling a Zell Miller.

Maybe he is. Maybe he'll be their keynote speech.

[pstokely]

58. Is she going to the Repuke con?

No

[former9thward]

3. If I was in a tight election I would skip the Convention.

It has nothing to do with running away from the party. The Convention is being held just two months before the election. I don't blame any elected official who wants to spend that time campaigning instead of partying in N.Carolina. The people in N.Carolina will not elect you, the people of MO will.

[WillyT]

6. Then You Fail The Test Of Principles...

Your behavior in this instance makes real... the fact that you have none.

And do you really think that a few days in NC are gonna throw the election one way or the other?

In the Truly Democratic Days... someone in political trouble would get a national speaking spot, just for this type of situation, and that would usually help with their re-election.

[xmas74]

9. Not here in Missouri, it wouldn't.

They're referring to her as Obama's lap dog right now. A bit of distance is actually a good thing for her, considering how tight her race will be.

[pintobean]

16. Missouri is no longer a swing state.

It's red. She has to run as a repub-lite to survive. I'm afraid we're about to see Blanche Lincoln 2.

[xmas74]

17. She does have to run that way, for now.

Her actions while in office may change but come election time she has to watch her step carefully.

[pstokely]

19. Mittens aren't ahead of Obama by much in the polls there

Obama was ahead by a point in one poll but Obama doesn't need the state

[Egalitarian Thug]

32. Are you saying that the people there are literally so stupid that they would not respond

to efforts that would directly benefit them? That they are incapable of reason?

[xmas74]

33. I am not, nor would I ever, call them stupid.

The media has been so twisted around here that most don't know what is and is not the truth. Nearly every single commercial so far has been an attack against Claire and that's before the Repub primary, which isn't until August.

They are my people. Why would I ever call them stupid? What I will say is that there has been little money spent here and that many, including many here on DU, would prefer to forget about Missourians. We get our information where we can, which is usually on the local news inbetween reports on the weather (we're in a heat warning right now), ozone alerts, traffic reports and gas prices. Most in my state are just trying to get by, rushing along to whatever is needs to be done. They get their bits and pieces from the local news, hoping it's accurate, and from commercials shown during prime time family programming.

WE are not stupid. We're being lied to.

[Egalitarian Thug]

35. So, if someone with a sufficiently large microphone were to speak to them, you think they would

listen to what is said?

[xmas74]

38. We have that all the time.

It's usually from Republicans. In this state, they tend to have more money and show up to more public events.

The party abandoned most of us here in Missouri. We tend to have conservative to moderate Dems because that's all that will run. The more progressive Dems don't have the money to compete, which means they don't get the publicity. Honestly, we have to be thankful for the Dems we do have that run in our state or else this state would be all Republican money.

There is another poster from Missouri posting in this thread. They can confirm what it's like here at this moment in time.

[stlsaxman]

42. From the "Show Me" State, here... and yes- we're STUPID. Should be the "Show Me How" state.

there are some thinking people in the cities and Columbia... but other than that, no.

[xmas74]

45. I don't live in a city.

We're out there but our voices are drowned out by all the crap that constantly aired. The conservatives are louder and they know exactly what to say to make the independent/moderate upset with liberal/progressive causes.

[pstokely]

56. The thinking people just aren't organized outside of those places

nt

[sabrina 1]

41. Then it's up to her to straighten them out. This caving to bullies is what got us to where we are.

No, it is NOT a good thing, for the American people to be saddled with cowards who cannot seem to be able to stand on principle.

It's an amazing thing, but people tend to have a lot more respect for those who stand up for what they believe in even when they disagree with them.

She is a coward, plain and simple. And what kind of 'Democrat' will that maker her even if she wins? Is she going to flip flop on the people she is now appeasing and vote for Democratic priniciples, or will she, once again, bail out claiming she cannot vote for what is right because it would hurt her in her next election?

Explain to me what would be the difference between her and a Republican? She needs to go, period.

[xmas74]

44. Take a look at the Republicans running against her.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002861195#post38

According to this site, she still votes with the party an average of 81%. How many times do you think any of the others will vote with them?

http://www.opencongress.org/people/votes_with_party/senate/democrat

She allied herself with the president, which is being used against her in commercials shown in this state. She's pro choice, she believes in domestic partner benefits, she in favor of expanded education funding and expanded funding for medical. Not a single person who is running against her is in favor of any of those things.

She's all we have in Missouri. We need to support her and hope that her time not spent at the convention will be spent in productive campaigning across the state.

[sabrina 1]

46. But do you really think that by not attending the Convention they will stop what they are doing?

She could lose democratic votes by doing this. I do not see how she is accomplishing anything by not attending her Party's convention other than providing fodder for the Right, who will go after her regardless.

[xmas74]

48. She won't lose them in this state.

She has the Democratic votes in this state. What she needs are the independent votes, which will need as much attention as possible.

She's fodder either way but if she's home at least she can address all comments while on the stump in this state. I hope to see nonstop town hall after town hall after county fair meet and greets. I know Brunner will be everywhere-he has lots of money to burn.

[pstokely]

53. How does she benefit by going to the convention instead of campaigning in her state?

They'll hammer her no matter what but at least she can campaign by skipping the con. Do you know of any loyal Dems in MO who she has lost based on her decision?

[former9thward]

11. It now a Principle to go to a party in Charlotte?

Wow, didn't know that. Those national speaking slots don't have any real value in 2012 because they are no longer televised. The networks used to televise practically every minute, at least in the evenings, of the two conventions. Now they do the acceptance speech and not much more.

[pstokely]

20. What benefit does she get taking campaign time away from the convention?

She has more to gain by skipping the convention

[pstokely]

21. What benefit does she get taking campaign time away from the convention?

She has more to gain by skipping the convention

[tblue]

28. Principles = party loyalty?

Or principles = policy

I could imagine a true progressive skipping the convention because the policies of the Democratic party so often are contrary to its own principles.

I don't care what Claire McC does. She's not exactly the heart if the party. Who would miss her?

[xmas74]

34. Who would miss her?

Those who have either her or any one of these lovely examples of who is running against her as our choice.

Todd Akin http://www.akin.org/
Jerry Beck http://www.newvoiceforthetime.com/
John Brunner http://johnbrunner.com/john-deere-pac-endorses-john-brunner/ (This will probably be the candidate-he's got the money to spend)
Mark Lodes http://www.markforsenate.org/
Hector Maldonado http://hectorforamerica.com/
Mark Memoly http://www.facebook.com/atbtrucks
Sarah Steelman http://www.sarahsteelman.com/

and one Libertarian
Jonathan Dine

Remember, we already have Roy Blunt as a senator. Do we need another one of him?

[PoliticAverse]

4. The chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee just told candidates to stay away...

See my post here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/125149634

[pstokely]

22. How many candidates up for re-election are still going and how many not up for re-election are

skipping it?

[ljm2002]

5. Then get out of the party...

...start your own. I'll bet they don't turn down the resources the Democratic Party has to offer when it comes to funding their election ads, etc.

Damn. I wish our party had some discipline.

[xmas74]

10. Right now the Democrats are not airing ads in Missouri

like the Republicans and all their cohort groups are. She's currently being firebombed every 15 minutes in television commercials.

She needs to spend her time fighting to win reelection. It's going to be very close, according to what we're hearing in our own state.

[ljm2002]

15. I see...

...well obviously I don't understand how some of this stuff works. For some reason, I assumed that (a) the party would work to support its own candidates and (b) the candidates would attend their party's biggest event every four years.

Oh well. I hope it pays off then.

[xmas74]

18. The candidates don't always get the same amount of support in Missouri.

It's not uncommon to see Republicans outspend them 10-1.

As to attending the party-the party is in early September, when Claire needs to be campaigning at her hardest. The primary is in August and the Republicans will have their candidate. At that point, instead of fighting each other they'll be putting all their eggs in one basket-the fight against Claire.

She can, and will, give her vocal support to other candidates in her party. But the national convention? She needs to be at home, campaigning her fingers to the bone. That's what it'll take for her to win this go-round, as should a few other candidates.

[pstokely]

23. It might be too early for the party to spend $ since the Repuke primary isn't until August

nt

[xmas74]

25. Exactly.

The only commercial I've found so far for Claire is the one with her mother talking about the veterans cemeteries.

I think the people complaining in this thread about her the most are people who don't live here in Missouri. The primary is in August, meaning the Repubs will be in full attack mode before the convention. They'll use every bit of ammunition they can find against her, including comments about how she's at the convention instead of working for the people or something to that effect.

I'm not saying she's my favorite by any means but damn if some of the posters here don't realize what we have waiting for us on the horizon in Missouri otherwise.

[pstokely]

55. The people bitching at her on this thread don't live in MO

They probably live in solid blue states. Same people who bitched at Obama not coming to Wisconsin during the recall, they don't live in WI either. They expect blind loyalty to their party

[xmas74]

57. I know!

They don't live here, she's not their senator, yet some here on DU (in another thread) have discussed how they plan on calling her office repeatedly, telling how much they want her gone.

The smartest thing she can do is to stay home and campaign like crazy. She's in real trouble and those on this thread who want her to lose are batshit crazy. They'd rather have Missouri elect an anti choice, anti civil rights and LGBTQ rights, anti worker, pro corporate idiot over her, just to spite our faces. They are NOT thinking about the citizens of this state!


There are days when I want to bang my head in frustration after reading DU. The lack of understanding about other regions and the lack of caring to understand just drives me crazy.

[DefenseLawyer]

7. Does anyone know about any actual polling on this?

Are there really votes to be garnered from the coveted and mysterious "swing voter" by not going to the party convention? It would seem to me that anyone who was low information enough to have this be a factor in their decision is probably too low information to know there is a convention or who attends. But maybe the pros know something I don't.

[pstokely]

24. Going to the convention takes away campaign time but probably doesn't matter otherwise

She has more to gain skipping the convention for campaigning. A lot of people in MO have been taking spliiters even before Repukes eliminated straight party voting. Nixon won big while Obama narrowly lost.

[xmas74]

26. She has more to gain, which in turn

gives an advantage to the party. Not everyone has to be at the convention-a simple "I support our candidate, Mr. President" or something to that effect is good enough.

She needs to stay here and campaign. Hopefully her campaign will cross paths with Teresa Hensley, which could possibly boost both their campaigns. If Claire keeps her seat and Teresa wins the Fourth I'm sure the party would be more than happy.

[xmas74]

8. I'm sorry

but I kinda agree with her reasoning. She's my senator and it's going to be a very, very tight race here in Missouri. The commercials they are running against her already are angry, with lots of finger pointing and references to her being "Obama's lapdog".

You don't want the alternatives that are running in Missouri for her seat. Believe me, you just don't.

[RC]

12. The ads I've seen have little to do with reality.

I do wish political ads were subject to slander laws. These are way across the line.

[xmas74]

14. Exactly.

But they are hurtful and they are hurting her right now. You've seen some of the same ads. We both know that it's best she focus on winning her seat and not worry about the convention.

[clang1]

13. She's right.....but it is not that they are cowards.....

Everyone already knows she is right even. It is common knowledge even.


I can already see some of the comments.....Wrong. Don't listen to her then. Heh. But I WOULD.

[spanone]

27. bullshit

[tblue]

29. If this wasn't a news story, I would never have noticed

she wasn't there. Couldn't care less what she does. I'd rather have a progressive in her seat anyway.

[pstokely]

30. Move to MO and help them find progressive candidates that can win statewide then

nt

[xmas74]

36. they really don't get it, do they?

They'd rather shoot themselves in the foot then realize that her votes will help the party. If she loses Lord help us all-two conservatives from this state in the Senate.

[Stinky The Clown]

37. Mrs. McCaskill is among my least favorite Democrats.

'nuff said.

[xmas74]

39. So you'll be moving here and

helping find a great progressive candidate, along with the funding to help them run? I don't see this happening any time soon.

For now she's the best we have.

[Stinky The Clown]

40. I understand that. It doesn't change my opinion one whit.

[xmas74]

43. But many others, including on this thread,

would rather throw her under the bus. If we lose her we'll have two conservative senators from this state.

I listed the candidates running against her upthread-all are conservative or extremely conservative.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002861195#post38

Our primary is in August. At that time we'll know who the Repub nom will be. (More than likely it will be Brunner-he seems to have a foothold.) If she leaves shortly after, even for a few days, it gives them a chance to smear her left and right, making comments about how she's not around to help the people of Missouri. (Comments are already made like this right now.) It's already an uphill battle. Claire needs to stick it out here, dig in her heels and fight.

All she has to do is make a declaration that she firmly sides with the president. Her presence isn't actually needed at a convention. She can do more here in Missouri, campaigning both for herself and stumping for fellow Dems that are running for Congress, state, and even some local offices. If it comes down to a choice of her being at the convention or stumping with Teresa Hensley (candidate running in the Fourth against Vicki Hartzler, the real enemy), I'd rather see her here making her endorsements and garnering votes for the party.

[Stinky The Clown]

50. I won't/can't argue any of that. But I *still* don't like her and never did.

If she's timid abut her standing among her constituents, then maybe she ought to keep her mug off the colortini (TV). You know. Kinda like Ben Nelson.

[xmas74]

51. She's not my favorite

but I feel as though I have to defend her, at least for now. She's all we have between us and batshit insane in this state.

[otohara]

47. Keeping Her Job Is Job #1

She will never stand up and do the right thing for fear of losing her job.

[xmas74]

49. Keeping her job is number one for the people of Missouri.

Our other options are not so pretty. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002861195#post38

I'd rather have her here, campaigning with the approval of the party (link upthread), instead of having her at the convention right after the Republicans have announced their choice of candidate to run against her.

Her race will be very tight. Right now her priority is to win her seat. Without her Missouri will become a much deeper shade of red, instead of the purple tinge it is now. (Our governor, sec of state, a few reps, and Claire keep it that color. Most forget about that.)

[Stinky The Clown]

52. During the last convention, she had no problem getting her mug on every camera that came within ....

. . . . . 100 feet of her.

[xmas74]

54. But it wasn't an election year for her.

She was able to offer her support in 2008 since she ran in 2006. She was also one of the first senators offering her support to the president during his primary season, which is why she was featured at the convention. They had worked together on legislation while he was still a senator, which is how they became acquainted.

I don't know why this is such an issue. Steve Israel, the chair of the DCCC, has requested that those who are up for reelection consider staying away from the convention.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/125149634