All ears on McCaskill

A source out in the wilds of West County overheard state Auditor Claire McCaskill speaking (with the clear projection of a trained speaker that sliced through the noise in the restaurant) with an unidentified individual this week about the state of politics in Missouri and her potential run for the Senate.

While no bombshells were dropped, it sounded as if McCaskill is still trying to analyze and understand her loss to Matt Blunt in the Gubernatorial race last year. The loss seemed to weigh on her mind now that she is up against significant pressure to take on Republican Sen. Talent. She talked about her strengths and her belief that the strongest candidate wins the primary, but seemed surprised that it wasn't enough in 2004. She also seemed very aware that the toughness and tenacity that has allowed her to achieve great success has also given her opponents a chance to paint her in the unflattering terms that many driven and successful women have found affixed to themselves, especially women in politics. It's a handicap for women that men are unfamiliar with.

McCaskill has yet to make up her mind, but it sounded as if she has a cut-off date in mind. Until then she is sounding out friends and family trying to come up with ideas as well as seek advice. She, wisely, doesn't want to run without a rock-solid plan. A failed Senate campaign could put an end to her political prospects.

While no one approached the Auditor, several people pointer her out to their friends as she left.