Bridges unburned: Biden praises McCaskill
(CNN) - Vice President Joe Biden closely aligned himself Monday with Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, saying he's a "strong, strong ally" of the first-term senator.
"She knows who she is and what she believes in, and she's willing to take risks to fight for what she believes in," Biden said at a private fund-raising event in Kansas City, according to a pool reporter in the room.
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McCaskill made headlines last month when she announced she would not be attending the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina this September, raising speculation that she was attempting to distance herself from the president during her re-election battle.
The senator, however, strongly pushed back, saying she was simply trying to focus on the race.
"I've got a really hard election," McCaskill told CNN in June. "If you had a really hard election and it was after Labor Day would you go to North Carolina to a bunch of parties and glad-handing or would you stay home and work as hard as you know how to convince Missourians they should rehire you?"
At the event Monday, Biden said McCaskill was the "toughest, most principled person in the United States Senate."
Republicans have been aggressively targeting the first-term senator as a chance to pick up a Senate seat. Crossroads GPS, a conservative group founded by Karl Rove, has dropped hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads against McCaskill.
At least three Republicans are in the race to challenge McCaskill, and will face off in a primary on August 7. A national tea party group, the Tea Party Express, is backing Republican challenger and former Missouri State Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Also in the race are 6-term Rep. Todd Akin and the former chief of Germ-X, John Brunner.
The non-partisan Cook and Rothenberg political analysts rate the race as a toss-up, with Rothenberg noting it as leaning Republican.
- CNN's Ted Barrett and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report.
Excellent. I hope the administration does a great job of linking McCaskill to itself so that she gets voted out with them in November.
McCaskill was the "toughest, most principled person in the United States Senate." - that is what Biden says about her ... WOW ... I wonder what the other Deomcrat Senators must be thinking knowing that they are not so principled and tough
McCaskill has really become a strong senator in her first term. She doesn't just toe the party line either–she speaks her mind, even if it's against Obama.
You know, it IS POSSIBLE to disagree on SOME things, and agree on other things.
Biden said "she is the most principiled person"...now, that comming from biden the man who voted for and supported the invasiion of Iraq and then turned on the president when it benefited him politically..he wouldn't know principles if they hit him in the big mouth!
Its going to be very funny watching Joe Biden this campaign season. This guy says the most outrageously ridiculous things. I bet candidates who are unlucky enough to have him speak at their events as well as the White House cringe the minute he opens his mouth.
I remember when the media thought it was important for a Vice President to be smart. Dan Quale looks like Einsten compared to this guy.
McCaskill has an uphill fight against the plutocrats and baggers for Steelman. Hopefully MO will wake up, and send McCaskill back to the senate.
lesson mccaskil will be alright even in a repub area. the fight is weather to give rich more money to hide from the tax man in overseas havens or tax them and use their money to hire Americans rebuild our country, because they are certainly not doing it.
November is going to be a big disappointment for Republicans and that also includes November 2016.
P.S. And you dummies need to stop asking for Romney's tax returns, he's already filed them in Bermuda, Switzerland, China and the Cayman Island, now there, don't ask anymore.
Is vote for her ,how could you vote for the teaparty clowns that rove from the bush disaster supports????
Don't count on it.
Hey vbscript;
I talked to a truck driver today. He was convinced that, If Obama wins He will change the gun laws to only allow guns that are singled shot. So I laughed and thought that, it was crazy just to repeat something so ludicrous. I replied that would be, like out- lawing cars an order to get off oil. You now back to the horse and buggy. I think he was upset. Why is it that republicans always want to go backwards
If she i fighting for her political life, why leave the race for a show?
praise from foul mouth joe is the kiss of death for clair,,,,,,
Senator Claire McCaskill has more ba!!s than all you flaccid limp-wristed boys put together. She's the brave one who went to the Senate floor to tell people being foreclosed on that if the bank does not produce evidence that they own your property, "...stay in your home!" You are nothing compared to McCaskill.
What about hilda 5hitbird solis, pres of la razuh, appointed by barry to be labor secretary. Shes been doing a helluva anti american job
She will win hands down, cause she is the best person for the job
Its like our worst enemy got elected president
She will win this race, no question
McCaskill has been and continues to be an advocate for the workers and people of Missouri. She's done a fantastic job and hasn't gotten the appreciation that she deserves. I don't get this election. Why do we keep penalizing the politicians that are helping and rewarding those that are obstructive?