McCaskill calls for partnership, moderation

"Senator, Senator!" Words that must sound sweet to Senator-elect Clair McCaskill.

At her first post-elections new conference, Senator-elect McCaskill expressed concern that Democrats may over-reach in their enthusiasm following Tuesday's sweeping results.

She expressed concern that Democrats may merely use their substantial election results as a jumping-off point for 2008 and 2010, and instead should work for the issues that are important to the people who elected them.

"It's about being a leader," she said. "It's about striking a balance."

She said they should focus on issues like health care, ethics and immigration.

When it came to Iraq, McCaskill said they needed to work as an independent voice and provide accountability in Iraq.

McCaskill told Senator Kit Bond in a phone call this morning that she hoped they could work together to represent the people of Missouri on both sides of the isle.

That echoed a line in her victory speech early Wednesday morning when she told the gathered faithful that she will go to work not just for those who voted for her, but for the thousands who didn't.

McCaskill told reporters that voters responded to her because they saw her as a person and that she also understood their frustrations. She also cited her willingness to stand up to anyone, including her own party. To that, she added that her colleagues might not always like her stance on issues, but they will be her own.

Despite winning substantial seats, McCaskill noted it didn't necessarily create a Democratic mandate and that she would try to help keep the "swagger" out of Democrats actions in the coming weeks and days.

Despite some great leads in the House, many races, especially in the Senate, were much closer. She cited her own race as an example.

"We didn't have a great victory,' she said. "We had a narrow margin."