Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): "Vets For Claire"
listening tour in Columbia, Missouri

post from They gave us a republic... - Front Page on 25 August 2012 11:43:20 PM. © They gave us a republic... - Front Page

Previously: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): "Vets For Claire" listening tour in Parkville (August 24, 2012)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) at a "Vets for Claire" campaign event in Columbia, Missouri.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) held two veterans' events today, one in Marshall and one in Columbia. We attended the afternoon event in Columbia which was held under a large covered outdoor structure next to VFW Post 280. There were approximately fifty people attending the event. Senator McCaskill spoke, then took and answered questions on veterans and other issues. As she did in Parkville yesterday, Senator McCaskill took some time to read a lengthy list of Congressman Todd Akin's (r) House votes against veterans' issues.

After the event Senator McCaskill took questions from the media:

Question: So, how do you feel about Akin staying in the race? How will that impact your campaign?
Senator Claire McCaskill (D): The voters in the Republican primary, uh, have nominated Todd Akin to run this race. I'll look forward to a spirited campaign and drawing a lot of major contrasts between Todd Akin and me.
Question: So [crosstalk]...

...Question: Now, at the beginning of this month you said that you were the underdog. You still feel that way?
Senator McCaskill: I will always feel that way in Missouri. I know this state and I know that, um, this race will be hard fought and I predict this race will be close.
Question: Senator, a poll came out from the Post-Dispatch last night that said the same thing Rasmussen said. You said Rasmussen was a partisan poll. Is the Post-Dispatch a partisan poll, that came out last night showing you ten points ahead?
Senator McCaskill: You know, I, I , to try to comment on polling this cycle, uh, would really be a, um, uh, I think, a fool's errand. Um, the poll that came out in the Post-Dispatch this morning was off by a measly twenty-two points in the Republican primary. Uh, ten days before the primary that poll said that Todd Akin was down by seventeen points. And he won, um, by five. So I think my math tells me that was twenty-two points off in a matter of ten days. So, I'm gonna take all these polls with a big grain of salt. And, frankly, Missourians don't care about that. They really don't. I mean, uh, Todd Akin is a pleasant and sincere man, but his views are not pleasant for Missouri families. And what Missouri families are worried about right now is not polling. But they're worried about their kids' college tuition, and they're worried about their Social Security, and they're worried about Medicare, and they're worried about a lot of things, um, besides polls.
Question: Is the women's issue something you're gonna be, like, campaigning on? [inaudible] Emily's List said they're gonna put a lot of funding in this race.
Senator McCaskill: I, um, uh, will be campaigning on a long list of issues where Todd Akin and I have big differences and women's health is one of them, but it is just one. And, um, but, but college loans is a big one, the minimum wage is a big one, uh, today's issue is a big one. Um, we have a very different view of how veterans should be taken care of in this country. We have a very different view about something as basic as whether or not we're feeding kids lunch at school. So, I think it's one of many that, um, we're gonna be able to show Missourians that they've got a very, uh, big choice, uh, and big differences between us.
Question: What has happened to your fundraising [inaudible] this past week? Um, what, what's been the response from, from fun, from donors in Missouri, what's been the response from donors outside of Missouri?
Senator McCaskill: Uh, we've had as good week in fundraising. Um, but, from what I can tell from a distance it appears that Todd Akin has had a decent week also.
Question: [inaudible] He says he's raised a hundred and fifty thousand dollars more. But, can you tell us how much you've raised [crosstalk] in this past week?
Senator McCaskill: I honestly don't know. I know we've had a good week, but I honestly don't know.
Question: Um, as we talk about, you're looking for a fair and, and a, and a complete debate, how can it really be a fair, for Missouri voters, how can it be a fair debate if, uh, one candidate is going in so severely damaged? Shouldn't.
Senator McCaskill: Says who?
Question: inaudible] Every Republican says that they've got a severely damaged candidate. So, well, you've got, you've, you've expressed outrage but you, you haven't said, this guy should get off the ballot because no way that Missourians should, should be, are gonna be accepting his, his views. If this was somebody who, um, who's thirty points ahead I, I think people will be expecting you call for him to get off the ballot. Why would, why are you, um, not doing that?
Senator McCaskill: Well, I, I'm old fashioned about this. I, I, you know, there was an election.
Question: Mm, hmm.
Senator McCaskill: Um, you know, I watched carefully for eighteen months when these three candidates, uh, traveled every nook and cranny of the state and campaigned in front of Republican Party faithful all over the state. They had debate after debate. And the people of this state had an election. And Todd Akin won that election.
Question: What would it take for somebody to do, for you to suggest that they might get off the ballot? What would they have to do?
Senator McCaskill: Well, first of all, that is a silly hypothetical. The bottom line is the voters of Missouri selected Todd Akin as their candidate. And it was an election, not a back room selection. It was an election. As Todd said yesterday, um, this is about elections, not selections. So I think the election has, has occurred, Todd Akin was elected by the people of his party. I think to overturn that is a pretty bold and radical thing. So, I, I, you know, I, I believe that Todd Akin's gonna be in this race and we'll spend the next seventy-some days making sure that Missourians have another choice and then they'll get to vote in the first Tuesday in November, whether they want the Republican or the Democrat.
Question: How enjoyable is it as a political observer to watch the civil war going on in the Republican Party?
Senator McCaskill: [laugh] Um, I, I don't, I'm not aware of all the machinations going on over there. I can only see from a distance that there appears to be a lot of cloak and dagger stuff, which I think, um, is, in some ways, disrespectful to the voters.
Question: Do you think we should have closed primaries in Missouri so that, you know, they couldn't say that Democrats chose this candidate? That's what they're saying, the Republicans are saying that you encouraged your supporters to go and vote for this guy.
Senator McCaskill: Oh, that, first of all, I discount that. That's, um, Todd Akin has a lot of strong, loyal supporters in this state. And they remain strong and loyal. Um, and I think it's disrespectful to a big swath of voters, uh, in the Republican Party to diminish, um, the choice they made. Um, you know, I, they've chosen so I, I don't, I think the election speaks for itself.
Question: You had said that, uh, the Democratic Party may not have, may not have been as interested in, uh, helping you out. How's that changed in the past week?
Senator McCaskill: Oh, I think the Democratic Party's always been interested in helping me out. Uh, I think this race has always been one of the top tier races. I think everyone knew that it was, Missouri's a difficult state and I was running as an underdog, But, um, you know, they've already come in to help some. It's not that they weren't willing to help, it's just they don't have the mega billionaire's money that's being funded behind closed doors, uh, behind curtains. We don't know where the money's coming from, the millions and millions and millions of dollars that have been brought in here with Karl ba, Karl Rove and his band of, uh, merry men, um, the masters of the universe that are writing big checks and trying to pull this election out from underneath Missourians. Uh, it's not that Democrats weren't helping, it's just they didn't help to the extent that, um, these anonymous donors were helping, uh, run, I think, up to, I think it was about fifteen million dollars in negative ads so far that have been run, um, on the other side.
Okay? Thanks, guys.
Question: I have one more question. [crosstalk]
Voices: Thank you.
Senator McCaskill: Okay.
Question: How do you think Akin's comment will, um, change your campaign ads?
Senator McCaskill: I don't think it's gonna. Uh, our campaign is pretty clear. We have stark differences on Medicare. I want to protect it, he wants to privatize it. We have stark differences on Social Security. I want to protect it, he wants to privatize it. I believe the minimum wage is an important part of the middle class, he wants to abolish it. I believe student loans make us different than the rest of the world in terms of a healthy middle class, he wants to make sure that only rich kids can go to college. You know, I think school lunches, uh, are a smart way for us to buy in volume and, um, help with excess commodities, he thinks we should do away with them. Uh, it's a long list of things that we have differences on. So, I'm gonna talk about that long list between now and the first Tuesday in November.
Voices: Thank you.

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laire-mccaskill-d-vets-for-claire-listening-tour-in-columbia-missouri

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Open Thread: C&L's Saturday Night Podcast Round
Up

post from Crooks and Liars on 25 August 2012 11:30:16 PM. © Crooks and Liars

enlarge

Happy Saturday night, folks! It's Blue Gal from The Professional Left Podcast, bringing you this week's podcast round up. Be aware that these podcasts are also available on i-Tunes, and may not be safe for work.

Who's Paying Attention with Alonzo Bodden: Numerous rebuttals to Niall Ferguson from Harvard grads, journalists economists etc.

The Current CBC (Canada): A group of US lawyers who once took on Big Tobacco are now suing food companies for what they allege are false claims.

This Week in Blackness 2.0: Romney's Birther Joke

And finally... Penn Jillette interviewing Phyllis Diller in 2006. (scroll down to bottom of screen for player)

Open Thread below....

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http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal-aka-fran/open-thread-cls-saturday-night-29

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Late Night: Go and Build No More

post from Firedoglake on 25 August 2012 11:00:58 PM. © Firedoglake

My earliest and most vivid memories of elementary school were when we would gather together in a single classroom and watch a rocket take off with a man aboard. I grew up with the Mercury Seven Astronauts, the Gemini program and eventually the Apollo[...]

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The LiberalOasis Radio Show: Legitimate Stabby
Edition

post from LiberalOasis : The Blog on 25 August 2012 11:00:45 PM. © LiberalOasis : The Blog

Guest co-host Jaz Tupelo brings her own Stabby Five theme music special for Todd Akin. While Bill cannot believe how politically incompetent Republicans are.

You can download the podcast at these links: (iTunes / XML feed / MP3).

Or you can simply listen below.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.liberaloasis.com/2012/08/the_liberaloasis_radio_show_le.php

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Video: The Romney Bunch

post from US Politics | AMERICAblog News on 25 August 2012 11:00:35 PM. © US Politics | AMERICAblog News

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C&L's Late Night Music Club With Elton John

post from Crooks and Liars on 25 August 2012 11:00:00 PM. © Crooks and Liars

Title: Rocket ManArtist: Elton John

R.I.P. Neil Armstrong.

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http://crooksandliars.com/jared-shade-reynolds/cls-late-night-music-club-e-8

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More Saturday Stuff

post from The Liberal Doomsayer on 25 August 2012 10:59:00 PM. © The Liberal Doomsayer

I would like to have seen a bit more of an edge, but Kathy is the one running against Mikey, not me - to help, click here...

...and happy birthday to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco (I think I put this up once before, but that's OK).

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http://liberaldoomsayer.blogspot.com/2012/08/more-saturday-stuff_25.html

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Looking for a Good Job Dont Get Your Hopes Up

post from Firedoglake on 25 August 2012 10:00:38 PM. © Firedoglake

If you think your job stinks, you're not alone. And if you?re still looking for a decent job, don?t expect to find one anytime soon, or ever.A new analysis of job quality, assessing various measures of benefits and wages, confirms what many of us already[...]

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Fox News' Selfish Partisan Evil Endangers Navy
SEAL

enlarge On Thursday, Fox News outed the identity of a Navy SEAL who co-wrote a book on the Osama bin Laden raid. I won't link you to the article nor will I tell you the name they published, but their abject evil in promoting the OpSec group as endangering national security while outing the name of one of the people actually involved in the mission should be obvious.

Today, Fox News should be concerned about national security all over again, and their role in endangering it. Via Think Progress, this news:

NBC News reports that users on websites affiliated with al-Qaeda have posted the name and photo of an American Navy SEAL who led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. The New York Times reported this week that the SEAL, writing under the pseudonym Mark Owen, wrote a book documenting the events of the raid ? news that came as a surprise to the industryand even the U.S. government.

There's a line somewhere in all of this that shouldn't be crossed. I'm all for transparency, but not when it endangers someone else's life. Valerie Plame's outing should have been enough for all of us to understand.

That's probably true unless you're Fox News and you have a deep vested interest in: a) electing Mitt Romney president; and b) promoting the agendas of Republican retired military operatives who want to elect Mitt Romney. In their bloodlust, they thought nothing of publishing the name of someone who served their country and risked his life to do it.

To Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch and Fox News hacks, it's all abstract. They don't think about what it actually is like to be the guy facing threats from actual real enemies. It's a game to them, something to use for partisan hackery. Strange how that wasn't the case just over a year ago when they took Gawker to task.

?This whole business of exposing people is a real serious matter. It?s not entertainment, some people may think it is, but it?s not ? There are real people out there that are going to be killed because of this,? said Charles Faddis, a former CIA operations officer who spent 20 years working international hot spots and who headed the CIA?s Terrorist Weapons of Mass Destruction Unit before retiring in 2008.

It's times like these when I remind myself that I don't approve of waterboarding people.

Read The Full Article:
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/fox-news-selfish-partisan-evil-endangers-na

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GOP postpones first day of convention

Republicans on Saturday canceled the opening day of their national convention, saying their first concern was for the safety of delegates and guests in the face of Tropical Storm Isaac, which is strengthening and is headed toward Florida’s West Coast.
“Our first priority is ensuring the safety of delegates, alternates, guests, members of the media attending the Republican National Convention and citizens of the Tampa Bay area,” Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, said in a statement.
...“Officials have predicted participants may encounter severe transportation difficulties due to sustained wind and rain.”
The convention will officially open on Monday but will immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon at a time to be determined later, Mr. Priebus said. -NY Times

Republican National Convention President and CEO Bill Harris made the following statement: "Our chief priority is the safety of the residents of Florida, of those visiting the Convention, and all those in Gulf Coast states who may be impacted by Tropical Storm Isaac. We have been working closely with the campaign, the party, and state and local officials for months to ensure a successful, enjoyable convention. Federal, state and local officials assure us that they are prepared to respond, if needed, and the scheduling changes we are announcing today will help ensure the continued safety of all participants - our foremost concern. We are also committed to keeping the delegates and guests of the convention well informed about the situation, and we will continue providing updates in the hours and days ahead."
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus made the following statement: "Due to the severe weather reports for the Tampa Bay area, the Republican National Convention will convene on Monday August 27th and immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, August 28th. After consulting with Governor Scott, NOAA and local emergency management officials, we are optimistic that we will begin an exciting, robust convention that will nominate the Romney-Ryan ticket.