Claire McCaskill on Principles & Values Democratic Sr Senator; previously state Auditor

Won as state rep by knocking on 11,432 doors

Clinton was great leader, but I don't want daughter near him

In September, Bill flew to St. Louis and did a fund-raiser for McCaskill, and now Hillary was set to help fill her coffers, though (not coincidentally) 900 miles away from the Missouri media.

The day before the NY fund-raiser, however, McCaskill appeared on "Meet th Press" and was asked if she thought that Bill Clinton had been a great president. "I do," McCaskill said. "I have a lot of problems with some of his personal issues. I think he's been a great leader, but I don't want my daughter near him." Hillary summarily canceled the fund-raiser.

McCaskill would again apologize to Hillary and Bill, writing them letters, begging their forgiveness and forbearance. What she said had been stupid, hurtful, insensitive. But the truth was that McCaskill meant it.

Voted with Democratic Party 84.6% of 325 votes.

Hastert should resign his speakership for a cover-up

Lifelong Missouri resident from Missouri family

Claire attended Hickman High School in Columbia, where her mother became Columbia’s 1st woman city council member. She remained in Columbia after high school and graduated from University of Missouri undergraduate and law school and later clerked for the Missouri Court of Appeals in Kansas City.

Claire is married to Joseph Shepard, a St. Louis businessman. Together they have a blended family of seven children and one grandchild: Benjamin, 30, Carl, 27, Marilyn, 25, Michael, 23, Austin, 18, Maddie, 16, Lily, 13, and Victoria, 1.

Claire is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson City and St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church in St. Louis.

Voted YES on confirming of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court.

"In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law--it is to apply the law. And it is clear, I believe, that my record in two courts reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms; interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress's intent; and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and my Circuit Court. In each case I have heard, I have applied the law to the facts at hand."