Throughout this campaign we have been deluged by surrogates from both sides--spouses, Kennedys, Rendell, Kerry, Tubbs-Jones, et al. Perhaps the most effective surrogate for Senator Obama has been Senator Clare McCaskill from MO.
I've watched her the entire campaign and in every appearance she has recited the talking points to perfection. I just watched her with Chris Matthews on "Hardball" minutes ago. She was humorous, sharp, direct and always vouches for Obama as a person--as someone whose integrity will bring this country together.
Barack Obama's candidacy, is a bottom up effort, he's excited people like we haven't seen before in this country for decades and that's the kind of leader we need right now to challenge the American people to get behind their representatives and find this way to move forward
McCaskill is also a winner--she helped deliver MO. while Kennedy, Kerry were not able to prevent a Clinton landslide in MA. McCaskill has been with Obama since before Iowa.
When I've seen them together at rallies they seem very familiar and close--like work friends who really like each other. Most importantly McCaskill helps Obama by virtue of being so much like Clinton in appearance--they could be sisters albeit HRC the more glamorous one. But by having such a pivotal surrogate who demographically looks like his opponent is a big advantage. She gives cover to white middle-aged women--particularly educated ones--to vote for Obama.
I think McCaskill has been Obama's best surrogate. What do you think?