“Air Claire” is back in business.
During the 2012 election cycle, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., sold her private plane after it was revealed she and her husband failed to pay $320,000 in back taxes on the $2 million aircraft. McCaskill also reimbursed the federal Treasury $88,000 in March of 2011 after Politico reported she paid for nearly 90 flights on the plane with taxpayer money.
That was a “big, serious, sloppy mistake,” McCaskill, a former state auditor, admitted at the time. Nevertheless, the saga inspired a nickname that dogged the senator throughout the campaign: “Air Claire.”
Fast forward to 2017 and a fresh gaffe from McCaskill, one of the most vulnerable upper chamber Democrats facing re-election next year, gave the nickname new relevance.
On Monday, my colleague Philip Wegmann reported on the turbulence McCaskill flew into during a townhall over the weekend: “When a constituent noted that affordable air travel and the American dream are intertwined, McCaskill replied ‘Will you remind that when they come after me about my husband’s private plane? That normal people can afford it.'”
McCaskill’s bizarre belief that “normal people” can afford private planes could keep her campaign stalled on the tarmac. In a state that preferred President Trump to Hillary Clinton by nearly 20 points, the senator’s personal wealth was already driving Republicans to attack her for being out of touch with working class Missourians.
Now, those efforts are really taking off in the wake of McCaskill’s latest statement.
As of Tuesday, the GOP has officially revived the “Air Claire” nickname, releasing a satirical graphic for the faux airline embellished with the catchy slogan, “there’s airfare, then there’s clairefare.” A Twitter account for “Air Claire” popped up Monday as well, posting tweets such as, “Here at #AirClaire✈️, we want you ‘normal people’ to know that you too can afford the lap of luxury. Just get on our level.” In an email on Tuesday, an RNC spokesman told the Washington Examiner they’re not behind the account, but whoever is did a “great job.”
Looks like it’s time for McCaskill to buckle in. She could be in for a bumpy landing come Election Day 2018.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
