Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election in 2012, plans to skip the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
McCaskill said Tuesday she will spend the week campaigning in her home state instead. She joined a growing list of Democrats in conservative districts who have decided to avoid the convention, which will be a showcase of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign...
Republicans have said repeatedly that McCaskill is one of their top Senate targets in 2012. The GOP needs to net four seats to take control of the Senate, a task both parties believe will be difficult unless McCaskill is unseated.
Each of McCaskill's three potential Republican opponents has sought to tie her to Obama, a reflection of the president's low standing in the state. In interviews, she has said she will not run away from Obama — whom she calls a personal friend — but says she also will not hesitate to point out areas where they disagree...
