About Napolitano and McCaskill's Endorsement of Obama

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 12:13:18 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, Janet Napolitano, Claire McCaskill (all tags)

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I'm not comfortable with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano's endorsement of Obama. She's another law and order prosecutor-turned-politician. She's a former U.S. Attorney who also served as Arizona Attorney General. She's also been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate.

During her 2002 election campaign, she was heavily endorsed by that wacko sheriff, Joe Arpaio (the one puts juveniles on chain gangs, makes inmates wear pink underwear and dui offenders bury the dead, who has prisoners sleep in tents and whose immigration solution is to jail the undocumented.) Arpaio had big praise for Napolitano when an anti-Napolitano ad cropped up in her 2002 race:

Sherriff Joe: This Is Sheriff Joe Arpaio with an Urgent Message. Janet Napolitano Has Been Attacked with the Most Vicious TV Ad in Arizona History. The Ad Is Outrageous and Untrue. As U.S. Attorney, She Was the Number One Prosecutor of Child Molesters in the Nation. As Our Attorney General, Janet Napolitano Has Stood with Law Enforcement to Protect Our Families. This Is Joe Arpaio. Join Me in Rejecting the Attacks Against Janet Napolitano.

Napolitano is a Democrat in a red state with high approval ratings from Republicans. The New York Times says she allowed Arizona's enforcement-only, "toughest in the nation" immigration bill to become law there.

If Obama wants the backing of a law and order politician like Napolitano, fine. It's just one more reason I don't believe he will be a progressive on crime issues if elected President.

[Update below:]

Now Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill is endorsing Obama. She's been a Senator for one year. As to why she's endorsing Obama, she says,

The Missouri senator also said that her brief experience in Washington -- she was elected in 2006 -- has taught her that she and Obama are ideological allies. "I have staked a tent in the middle ground, and with some frequency I found Barack Obama there," McCaskill said

Staking the middle ground is a symbol of compromise, not change -- it's less than a promising endorsement for those to whom change means progressive reform.

Update: Here's McCaskill's immigration stance:

Building a border fence is a first step. (Aug 2006)
No amnesty for illegal immigrants; no guest workers. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)

McCaskill on Drugs:

Claire was the first woman ever to be elected Jackson County Prosecutor. During her term, she put more criminals behind bars than any other Missouri prosecutor; established a special Domestic Violence Unit to combat domestic violence and child abuse; was recognized nationally as a leader in the war on meth; and created one of America's first Drug Courts.

Her background:

Claire served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1983 to 1988 where she was a leader on criminal justice issues, increasing sentences for repeat violent criminals and earning the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in 1987.

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About Napolitano and McCaskill's Endorsement of Obama | 25 comments (25 topical)

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The point is (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Jeralyn on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 02:23:20 PM EST

Obama is touting their endorsements, meaning he thinks highly of them. I don't think highly of them and in light of their records, their endorsements give me concern about whether he will be a progressive and act to change policies I oppose.

The only other reason for him to tout their endorsements is because they are women, and I hope and assume he is above that.

: Well my guess (none / 0) (#21)
by Jgarza on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 03:59:22 PM EST

he is doing it because he thinks it gives him clout in western states, and more endorsements help him fight the not enough experience argument.

Obama is touting their endorsements, meaning he thinks highly of them. I don't think highly of them and in light of their records,

Well I hope he doesn't think highly of them because of their voting records, but if he does, you are correct that is a problem.

[ Parent ]

Napolitano and privacy rights -- non-existent (none / 0) (#1)
by jerry on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 12:36:26 PM EST

She has also favored placing cameras at the state borders, (AZ and CA, and others) and getting software to identify license plates and faces that come across. Also, allowed cameras on freeways, and in general rarely meets a privacy right that she'll defend.

Completely unrelated to this, but of use to me at a different forum, where is the draft, or the selective service system authorized in the Constitution? (I apologize for not knowing what is probably High School civics.)

: Does Arnold know about those (none / 0) (#9)
by oculus on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:28:56 PM EST

at the CA border? Keep those "zonies" in AZ; oh wait, we like the $$ just not the crowded beaches.

[ Parent ]
: The power (none / 0) (#34)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 10:18:04 AM EST

Article I. Section 8.
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;

[ Parent ]

Yellow lines (none / 0) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 12:58:26 PM EST

I would have posted separately on McCaskill's comments.

They are PRECISELY the problem with Obama's campaign.

: Yep n/t (none / 0) (#5)
by MO Blue on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:19:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: I believe she has the most (none / 0) (#6)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:19:37 PM EST

conservative voting record of any of the freshmen, including Casey and Webb.

[ Parent ]

McCaskill also (none / 0) (#3)
by Jeralyn on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:08:42 PM EST

is a former prosecutor with tough sentencing credentials:

Claire McCaskill Is A Third Way Dem (none / 0) (#4)
by MO Blue on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:18:32 PM EST

Honorary Vice-Chair of the Third Way (IMO DLC renamed). She is guaranteed to support the Republicans at least two thirds of the time on Iraq and the Constitution based on her history since elected. Her tent is in the far right edge of that middle ground she is so proud of.

Being an ideological ally of McCaskill is not a recommendation IMO.

endorsements (none / 0) (#7)
by diogenes on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:23:29 PM EST

Hillary Clinton's poll-driven approach to governing may make her "more progressive" on crime than Obama, though that's unlikely. There is probably data on both, though I have read more about Obama than Hillary on this site.
Governors and senators have complicated political positions on many issues. Crime is not a litmus test in this race, and I do not think that Obama was chosen because he "thinks like a prosecutor".

it's that he chose to tout their endorsements (none / 0) (#15)
by Jeralyn on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 02:25:39 PM EST

and align himself with them and they think like -- and are at heart -- prosecutors turned law and order politicians.

[ Parent ]

: endorsements (none / 0) (#28)
by diogenes on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 06:34:32 PM EST

Hillary wanted McCaskill's endorsement too; if she had gotten it, she would have "touted" it.

[ Parent ]

I gues once a prosecutor, always (none / 0) (#8)
by oculus on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:25:23 PM EST

a prosecutor, but I thinkk establishing drug courts are a good thing and I also support longer sentences for repeat violent offenders. I think most psople do. Not that piece of pizza robbery 3rd offense in CA, but repeat, specified, violent crimes. I also think most people support prosecution of meth crimes constituting sales, transportation, and "cooking." Terribe effect on the community.

But, I am quite liberal on immigration issues and think this is going to be THE issue in the southwestern states, so McCaskill's endorsement of Obama sends me a signal he is going for the conservative votes on immigration.

I think (none / 0) (#12)
by Jgarza on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 02:14:46 PM EST

Jeralyns research job is great and interesting, but it is being used as a basis to criticize Obama. I think that is a stretch. Two endorses are proof he isn't a progressive?

Hillary's worst endorser on Justice Policy: Bill (none / 0) (#16)
by Ben Masel on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 02:36:05 PM EST

"60 New Death Penalties," and forcing Death Penalty into 1996 Democratic Platform. Ending federal habeus review of State death sentences. Making political hay of the Ricky Ray Rector execution.

Prison building.

Tied State Justice grants to enacting "Truth in Sentencing.

Numerous attempts to pass Secret Search Warrants.

Clipper Chip.

Funding multijurisdictional Drug Task Forces.

Blocked even research on medical marijuana.

Know yoour customer banking laws.

Defanged Levi Guidelines limiting FBI spying on political groups.

Yep (none / 0) (#17)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 03:03:13 PM EST

Hillary has a fairly bad record here too.

[ Parent ]

: I dispute your equivelence (none / 0) (#31)
by Ben Masel on Mon Jan 14, 2008 at 01:18:27 AM EST

Obama's record, not so good. Clinton's, awful.

[ Parent ]

Clinton was vigorously pursuing both women (none / 0) (#20)
by Geekesque on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 03:51:46 PM EST

for their endorsements.

Bill had a horrible track record on this stuff--and Hillary opposing retroactive justice regarding crack/powder disparity indicates that she's the worst of the remaining lot of Democrats.

Obama is as bad as Clinton (none / 0) (#23)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 04:14:26 PM EST

is your defense?

you make my point.

[ Parent ]

: Um, no. (none / 0) (#33)
by Geekesque on Mon Jan 14, 2008 at 09:02:37 PM EST

Democrats want all of the endorsments they can get.
Obama is better on these issues than Clinton.

[ Parent ]

Hmm (none / 0) (#27)
by Alien Abductee on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 06:19:27 PM EST

McCaskill's immigration stance:

Building a border fence is a first step. (Aug 2006)

No amnesty for illegal immigrants; no guest workers. (Aug 2006)

Voted NO on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)

Voted YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)

Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)

How Obama voted:

Voted YES to path to citizenship for the undocumented ("amnesty" in wingnutspeak)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform.
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government

On the other hand, Hillary voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program (and Obama didn't vote).

Doesn't sound like they're much in the way of ideological allies.

Talking smack bout my Senator :-) (none / 0) (#29)
by Aaron on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 08:06:43 PM EST

At Daughter's Urging, McCaskill Backs Obama

It ain't easy for Democrats to get elected in Missouri, so you can attack McCaskill for her positions, but without those positions she would not be a senator from Missouri today. She only defeated Republican Jim Talent by a 50% to 47% margin in 2006.

It seems you understand political necessity Jeralyn, otherwise you wouldn't be supporting Hillary Clinton, so this comes off as little more than political spin, taking a candidate out of the electoral context in which she exist. The people of Missouri worked hard to put a Democrat in the Senate, and I know the Democratic Party greatly appreciates and respects Claire McCaskill for what she has achieved.

I'm sure that in her decision to support Obama, Claire decided to go with what she thought was best for America, and refuse to be bound by loyalty to Emily's List, the pro-choice group who helped get her elected, and that is backing Hillary Clinton. McCaskill chose Obama because she knows that Obama speaks to the future and that Clinton, a right-leaning moderate, would drag us back to stagnant divisive past. Claire's 18-year-old daughter, an Obama supporter apparently won her over to the 21st-century's only genuinely progressive movement.

Obama 08

: She says Obama agrees with her positions (none / 0) (#30)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 08:18:39 PM EST

Is that true in your opinion?

[ Parent ]

Sheriff Joe is not a wacko (none / 0) (#32)
by katmandu on Mon Jan 14, 2008 at 02:07:04 AM EST

He has some very good programs going in his
jails. He issues pink underwear to stop the
inmates from stealing the undies--saving us
money. He put non-violent offenders in tents
so that the dogs and cats facing the death
penalty at the humane society can be housed in
the air conditioned cells. The inmates take care
of them and earn a certificate as veterinarian's
assistants. The dui offenders not only bury
the dead but have to go to the schools and give
speeches on dui offences. They also have
mandatory alcohol screening and AA meetings.
In the hopes that they will stop drinking or at
least stop drinking and driving. Too many people
get killed. Sheriff is an elected position, and
the people of Maricopa Cty re-elect him because
he does his job well.
Napolitano is a left leaning moderate. She is
tough on immigration because Arizona citizens
demanded it, and were willing to take the issues
to the voting booth. If she wants to stay in
office, she has to do what we want. Obviously
she wishes to stay.
Most of the immigration issues were voted into
law by Arizona citizens, not by the AZ congress.
Our state congress has been rather useless when
it comes to immigration.