By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

Claire McCaskill's second health care town meeting in two days, this one in Hillsboro, Mo., was more raucous than the first, but the Democratic U.S. senator kept it under control. McCaskill has always enjoyed a good dust-up, and it was pretty obvious from the live CNN broadcast that she enjoyed the forum.

It's difficult to trip up McCaskill, who is both glib and well-informed, and has the knack of answering questions without talking down to people.

When a citizen predicted that employers would dump their insurance if a public option was available, the Senator pointed out that employers, especially the smaller ones, are already canceling health insurance for employees, because of costs.

When citizens railed about keeping government out of health care, McCaskill inquired how many were on Medicare. Hundreds of hands went up. She asked how many would be willing to give up their Medicare. Not a single hand raised. Point taken.

The health care debate is hot enough, though, to prompt McCaskill to reach for her ultimate good-luck charm: her mom. The ever-popular Betty Anne McCaskill accompanied her daughter to the forum and positioned herself on the stage. If McCaskill the senator is faring better in this stormy season of town hall meetings than some of her colleagues, McCaskill the mom is as good an explanation as any.

Follow Barb Shelly on Twitter.