Republican incumbent Senator Jim Talent is in the political fight of his life against Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill. Both candidates sat down with the Missourinet’s Brent Martin for half-hour interviews to discuss the race.
In this –the first of a three-part series, Senator Talent insists the country is safer now than five years ago when terrorists attacked New York and Washington. He points to creation of the Department of Homeland Security and passage of 70 laws since then. Talent says the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission are being implemented. The country seemed unified after the attacks, divided now. Talent says, if re-elected, he hopes to work with Democrats to restore that unity and get all oars in the water. He says Republicans and Democrats have been hitting each other over the head with their oars, rather than putting their oars in the water and rowing.
Claire McCaskill says the country isn’t safer, that the Bush Administration and Congress have ignored the 9/11 Commission recommendations. McCaskill says the country hasn’t accomplished anything in Iraq, wasting both money and lives. And she blames Republican tactics in the 2004 election for dividing the country. McCaskill says Republicans used the terrorist attacks in a brazen, political way that caused a fracture in the unity of this country. McCaskill charges Republicans, including Talent, have resorted to those tactics again this year, using fear and smear in their campaigns.
Interview with Senator Talent
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Interview with Claire McCaskill
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