Whip the Pork!

The Senate Democratic leadership has appointed Sen. Claire McCaskill as one of 11 deputy whips for the 110th Congress.

Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that McCaskill will be part of the team that will mobilize the Democratic caucus to stay in line during important votes.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer will serve as Chief Deputy Whip. McCaskill is one of four freshman Senators to receive the duty. "A razor-thin Democratic majority means that every vote counts and there is no room for error," said Sen. Durbin.

This comes as Missouri's junior Senator has been fending off criticism for voting against an amendment to crackdown on pork projects. Tony Messenger of the News-Leader has owned this story.

The Citizens Against Government Waste labeled McCaskill one of their "porkers of the month," for her vote to "try to keep earmarks in the dark."

McCaskill's camp has said Claire voted against the amendment because she felt some language needed to be stronger.

In our KY3 debate, neither Jim Talent nor Claire McCaskill could name a specific Missouri project that they considered "wasteful." As the incumbent that probably hurt Talent more than it did McCaskill. But next time she's faced with that question, the former state auditor won't have Talent to blame anymore.