Throughout her two decade career in public service, Claire McCaskill has earned rave reviews from the media for her fierce independence, taking on sacred cows and dedication to making government work on behalf of seniors, women, children and everyday Missourians.
St. Joseph News-Press Calls McCaskill "Fiercely Independent": "Give State Auditor Claire McCaskill credit: She isn't interested in making friends with the rich and the powerful ... We are somewhat reluctant to remind her that this newspaper failed to endorse her in her bid for that office. Our position was that we wanted someone from the out party to oversee a state government dominated by Democrats. But Ms. McCaskill is proving that she is fiercely independent. She has our support in her crusade to aggressively oversee the financial interests of the taxpayers of this state." [St. Joseph News-Press, Editorial, 7/6/04]
Columbia Daily Tribune: "We Should Be Thankful McCaskill Is Tough and Savvy." In 2001, the Columbia Daily Tribune editorialized: "In my memory, no holder of this office has been as diligent and willing to shake the chickens off their roosts. The frustration of all auditors is that often they come up with conclusive evidence of error only to see nothing in the way of correction. Her only tool is exposure. She, or any auditor, is effective in direct proportion to the distance the official next is extended. We should be thankful McCaskill is tough and savvy and knows how to get out front and bear the consequences." [Columbia Daily Tribune, Editorial, 10/9/01]
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: McCaskill Gets Things Done. In July 1998, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch endorsed Claire McCaskill for the Democratic nomination for State Auditor, writing: "Ms. McCaskill gets things done. As prosecutor she set up a domestic violence unit and prodded the courts and police to respond. She pushed for drug courts to provide an alternative to incarceration. She recently started a program to train fathers so they could pay child support. Ms. McCaskill also boasts that crime went down more sharply in her county than the rest of the state." [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Editorial, 7/30/98]
Columbia Daily Tribune Calls Her An "Exemplary Performer": "McCaskill has been an exemplary performer in every public office she has held. As prosecuting attorney of Jackson County, she demonstrated very good management skills, a strong leadership presence and excellent instincts about the philosophy of law and order. She was tough and fair and innovative. Then, as state auditor she brought new meaning to the term 'performance auditing' ... Her audits have been inquisitive and numerous. Rather than merely finding fiscal curiosities, she recommended operational changes as well ... She is a strong, smart, philosophically balanced and articulate leader." [Columbia Daily Tribune, 7/21/2004, AP, 7/21/2004]
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Said McCaskill "Exudes Energy and Enthusiasm": The St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote about her "unbridled drive, sheer determination and intellectual energy." The editorial continued: "Ms. McCaskill is one of the most promising and dynamic leaders of the Democratic Party ... McCaskill exudes energy and enthusiasm. Ms. McCaskill was an innovative prosecuting attorney ... As state auditor, she has emphasized 'performance audits' that look beyond just dollars and cents to see how effectively state offices work." [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/25/2004]
The Kansas City Star Calls McCaskill A "Fireball":The Kansas City Star reported: "McCaskill has been a fireball as state auditor ... McCaskill, a lawyer, has a background of leadership and administrative responsibilities that have prepared her well for governor. She is a former state legislator, Jackson County prosecutor and county legislator. She's experienced, politically astute and a formidable campaigner." [The Kansas City Star, 8/1/2004]
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