Claire Smiles, Talent Smirks

I just watched the debate on Meet the Press between Missouri's junior senator, Jim Talent and State Auditor Claire McCaskill. I wanted Claire to hit him a little harder than she did, but she's a lady, and didn't kick Bush's lap-dog when he was down.

When he mentioned that he sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I wanted her to mention his abysmal attendance record - you know, the pesky little fact that he has missed over 60% (and I'm being generous in Talent's favor when I state that figure) of the meetings of the Senate Armed Services Committee since his appointment. In time of war.

He voted to go to war in Iraq, but couldn't be bothered to attend over 60% of the meetings of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

I can't get past that. Maybe it is because the military has been the family business for so long, but that is an unforgivable sin in my eyes. If I had a seat on SASC, there is no way in hell wild horses could keep me from meetings of that committee, especially in a time of war.

Any Missourian with a yellow ribbon proclaiming support for the troops needs to be asking the Talent campaign about that inconvenient little truth.

I have watched all of the debates between senate candidates on Meet the Press and Claire did something that not one single Republican candidate has done. When she was asked a question by the moderator she gave an unqualified "Yes" or "No" answer and then spoke. No frustrating screams at the telly to just "answer the damned question, already!" were necessary.

When Russert asked Talent about his voting record - he has voted the way Bush wanted him to 94% of the time - he said that maybe the president agreed with him some of those times. Okaaaay. Sure Jim. And I have some beachfront property in Harrison County you might be interested in.

The best moment of the debate, however, came at the very end. As the camera pulled back, Claire smiled brightly, turned to Talent and offered her hand. Totally took him by surprise.

This one went to Claire, without a doubt. She will represent us ably.

(As soon as the video is up on You Tube, I will link to it so you can watch - and judge - for yourselves.)

Update #1: Here is the transcript of todays MtP. I'm having problems with the video I promised, but Fired Up! Missouri has a portion of it, so I know it is out there already.