The ad run by the Talent For Senate campaign that appeared in last week’s American stated that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill “attacked legislation to stop the flow of illegal drugs” and the only thing she ever has done to help the African-American community “was support statehood for Washington D.C.” The ad then went on to say that “McCaskill recently opposed legislation to increase the minimum wage.”
Not only is the ad factually wrong, it’s just a flat-out lie.
McCaskill has been a leader in the fight against illegal drugs. As Jackson County prosecutor she created one of America’s first drug courts and was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Commission on Drug Free Communities.
As state auditor, McCaskill increased minority employment in her office from one percent to 15 percent, with a majority of the positions on her executive staff. These efforts helped her receive the State Employment Advocate Award for her commitment to hiring and retaining minorities.
McCaskill supports the minimum wage increase initiative on the November ballot, whereas Talent has refused to take a position, which is understandable when you consider that he has voted against increasing the minimum wage 11 times.
I understand why this ad had no “approved by Jim Talent” stamped on it and the treasurer’s name left off it. Who in their right mind would approve it or let folks know they wrote the check for it? However, it is understandable when you consider that last week Talent and his cronies and allies ran 667 ads across the state of Missouri and not one identified him as a Republican.
Carlton Jones
Pasadena Hills, MO