McCaskill lashes out at national and local Republicans, calling them 'hypocrites'

[usregimechange]

Even for U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. and known for her take-no-prisoners style, today's display of her disgust at state and national Republicans was a bit above her norm.

At a news conference today to mark the creation of a new drug court for military veterans, the senator veered off course when reporters began posing questions on various other matters. Most notably: her thoughts about Thursday's passage of a financial regulation bill and the possible fate of congressional Democrats this fall.

McCaskill launched into a passionate parade of criticisms of congressional Republicans, then stopped herself to apologize to her audience. After the news conference was over and she stepped to the side of the room to talk to reporters, the senator then resumed her complaints -- and took on state Republicans as well.

Among her targets:

A) Republican Senate colleagues, who McCaskill said are out of line when they oppose more federal unemployment benefits, citing concern about the federal deficit, but then ignore the deficit when they call for continuing the Bush tax cuts benefiting the wealthy. McCaskill said she was particularly outraged by talk that people are out of work by choice, adding that she has met many people "who just want a job."

B) Republicans controlling the state Legislature, who she said are "hypocrites'' for decrying federal stimulus aid when they have balanced the last two state budgets with "a boatload of (federal) money."

http://www.stlbeacon.org/content/view/103769/314/


Got to love Claire.

[Sheepshank]

1. On going confirmation of over 100 years of thought on the matter.

Clair is saying it out loud. Good for her!

[quiet.american]

2. Love Claire. I know she must still be steamed over the BS the GOP used to shut down her mtgs.

GOP SENATORS REFUSING TO WORK PAST 2pm, INVOKING OBSCURE RULE
by Ryan Grim
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/gop-senators-refusing-to_n_511639.html

Senate Republicans fuming over the passage of health care reform are now refusing to work past 2:00 p.m. -- a tactic they can employ by invoking a little-known Senate rule.

On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee was forced to cancel a hearing as was the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) tweeted today: "Disappointed. Rs refusing to allow hearings today. Had to cancel my oversight hearing on police training contracts in Afghanistan."

And the Republicans are the crowd insisting they are the "grownups" in Washington.

[gratuitous]

3. Why is it up to McCaskill to point this out?

Reporters seem baffled by what she's saying: "Republicans are hypocrites? They say one thing about how terrible deficits are, and then back policies and ideas that will make the deficits larger? They say they hate the stimulus, but have no problem cashing those federal checks? Why, how in the world would someone ever find out such a thing? It's like she can - what's that word? - 'remember' stuff or something.

"Wait; what were we talking about? Can we get another round of drinks here? What was McCaskill saying about Republicans? Oh well."