Sharp differences exist between Akin, McCaskill
Bellwether status may have passed Missouri by, but the big political bucks certainly won’t when it comes to the U.S. Senate race.
Claire McCaskill, tagged as the most vulnerable Democratic Senate incumbent in America, will face Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, tagged as a B-team player for the GOP, in November.
Brace yourself. The barrage of ads is well under way, with millions of dollars (many with undisclosed sources) already expended trying to smear the first-term McCaskill as unworthy of re-election.
It’s incumbent on Missourians to dig behind the accusations in search of real records. And with this matchup, we are fortunate to have real records.
Akin is a St. Louis County six-term U.S. House incumbent, engineer and former state lawmaker. He has a 100 percent conservative voting record, flaunts his tea party acolyte role and runs far to the right on many issues, especially religious conservative positions. While he presents himself as a fiscal conservative, his record shows he embraces earmarks, regularly rewarding his hometown businesses such as Boeing.
McCaskill is a former Jackson County prosecutor, state auditor and now U.S. Senator. She has a record as a fighter of crime, of government waste, and for more protections for the average consumer, including the right to affordable, accessible health care.
The race couldn’t be more stark. While it may be wishful thinking, we’ll place a few markers for what we’d like to hear in the next 89 days about these priorities:
The economic recovery is still fragile. What would each candidate favor as the best ways to encourage more job growth in Missouri and the nation? What role should the federal government play in helping the long-term unemployed and other job seekers? McCaskill supported extending unemployment benefits during the peak of the recession to protect workers unable to find jobs; Akin opposed the extension.
If the Affordable Care Act were repealed, as Akin prefers, exactly what would take its place and what’s the timetable? Thousands of Missourians have pre-existing conditions making it difficult and expensive to obtain health insurance. How will both candidates make sure Missourians have good care and affordable insurance?
Why continue the practice of no-bid earmarks to entities (often major donors) outside of competitive bidding processes? McCaskill opposes earmarks; Akin supports them.
McCaskill has led an effort to scrutinize government defense spending. She has put her former auditor skills to effective use digging out problems. Akin hasn’t made a name for himself in this arena, but is known as a supporter of many expensive military procurement plans.
Gridlock and partisan bickering are now hallmarks of Washington. McCaskill came into office pledging to soften the resistance, and came up with a plan to mix up staff seating in committee hearings as way to encourage dialogue. Akin is a hardliner, demonstrating little inclination or interest in finding compromise on the testiest issues.
The matchup is one that McCaskill backers wished for. It’s insider-vs.-insider. McCaskill has run statewide several times, and is the better-known of the two. Akin is particularly lesser known in the Kansas City region.
The heavy-hitters of the far right, including Crossroads GPS and the Koch brothers, are sure to dump many millions more into the race on behalf of Akin. McCaskill can expect big Democratic donors will come to her side in a major way.
McCaskill can be counted on to wage a smart, tough race. Akin, demonstrably less personable and skilled on the stump, will hope the national fundraising can boost his name and ultra-right positions into the next higher office.
One of America’s most-watched races has begun, one that will help determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.
To both candidates: Do us all a favor by clearly, specifically, defining your vision for the future. To voters: Pay attention and have your say on Nov. 6.
Steven Fetter
66223
9 months, 1 week agoThis column really is a new low. One would almost surmise that a payola-like transaction occurred between the Star and the Ms. McCaskill for this editorial that could have been written by the Democratic National Party to Re-elect Claire.
Are you really saying that the way McCaskill arranged the chairs shows she is bipartisan? Did Mr. Akin like the seating the way it was?
Kent Mueller
9 months, 1 week agoBuzz…..don’t knock them for a biased editorial because all editorials are biased. They have to be, whoever writes them, because opinion is, by definition, bias.
Now, that being said. This editorial could be confuses with something the McCaskill campaign would write.
Todd Akin…tagged as a B Team player? By Whom? Anyone credible?
The third paragraph would have you believe the only one being smeared in ads is McCaskill. Really? And those include undisclosed money. Is the Star ready to report on undisclosed money being spent either for McCaskill or against Akin? Doubtful.
Akin is a Tea Party “acolyte”? How pejorative. And let’s stop this pompous crap about earmarks. It sounds good, but it is only a smear. The getting of an earmark does not increase spending one dime. All an earmark is, is the flagging of money that has already been scheduled to be spent, for a specific project. The money had already been appropriated and was going to be spent regardless. Earmarks are NOT a sign of big spending.
Why does the Star establish as a future “marker” how the two view the federal government’s role in extended unemployment benefits. Not only have both candidates spoken to that, the Star just stated their positions.
The Star makes a charge about no bid earmarks. Long on insidious accusation and innuendo, but woefully lacking in informative facts.
The Star attempts to vilify “heavy hitter” donors from the right by naming them. The Star is silent on the names of the money coming in from the left.
McCaskill can be counted on to run a smart race while Akin hope outside money can lift him. Please…..save the ink and just say it. The Star is enthralled with the high intellect of McCaskill while Akin is stupid. Right?
No mention on lapses of property tax payments on airplanes? Didn’t think so.
Phil Cardarella
9 months, 1 week agoFellas: FOX “news” is not an unbiased source, and if you drink too much of their Kool-Aid, you become incapable of recognizing fairness and balance when you see it.
It is not unreasonable to point out that “Repeal and Replace” as a motto does sorta require that you say with what you will replace the ACA. What will you do about preexisting conditions and kids on their folks policies?
Seriously, spend some quality time with CNN. Or any source not owned by Rupert Murdoch. I know that withdrawal will be tough. You will always want your FOX FIX. But you might find that you can get a natural high on facts. And even think some non-Rovian thaoughts.
George Hunsucker
Northland
9 months, 1 week agoAir Claire voted for 0’care and porkulus. What more do MO voters need to know? She is an unabashed lib who kissed-up to the big 0. Time to pay-up Air Claire!
Kent Mueller
9 months, 1 week agoPhil…..do you call CNN non-biased? Really? Really?
And when you posted that about FOX, no one had even mentioned FOX. So, does that mean you state what you assume, but don’t know? Yeah, that’s what that means.
Phil, now you tell me how much I watch FOX. You must know, you wrote about it. While you are at it, tell everyone else how much they watch FOX. You know, right?
If you don’t know those things, Phil, you need to stop talking about what you don’t know.
George Hunsucker
Northland
9 months, 1 week agoMy grandfather used to say the funny quip “never let a lack of knowledge prevent you from speaking with authority”.
phil, the 2012 personification……