McCaskill: I Understand Why Bernie Supporters Are Frustrated

Sen. Claire McCaskill said Tuesday she understands that Bernie Sanders supporters are enthusiastic, and understands they are frustrated, but she couldn't quite figure out "why there was so much booing" on the first night of the Democratic National Convention.

"They have passionately gotten involved in politics, [many] for the first time," the Missouri Democrat, who backs Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "They are the most enthusiastic, because they worked hard to become a delegate. Who would think they would come to Philadelphia after this and sit on their hands and go yeah, Hillary? Of course they will speak out."

But at the same time, there was booing during the convention's prayer and while speakers such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi and other party stars were on the stage. The challenge, McCaskill said, is to make Sanders supporters understand there is an "incredibly important part" for them moving forward, but still she expects there will be some who will not shift their loyalties so easily.

"Just because Michelle Obama is beyond amazing and Sanders did everything, I think it will take a few days, and there will be a few outliers," said McCaskill. "Your folks will find somebody that will say I'll never vote for her. But 90 percent of the Bernie Sanders supporters are already voting for Hillary Clinton. We are in a readily good place in our party. What was nice about last night is it wasn't just a trash Trump night. There are all kinds of uplifting messages and everyone said her name over and over at the GOP. A lot of Republicans never mentioned the world Donald Trump."

The race is close, though, McCaskill said, because Clinton has been in the "crosshairs of the opposition for decades and decades."

"Every scar that Hillary Clinton wears she got while she was in public service," said McCaskill. "I'm not saying mistakes haven't been made and I'm not saying there aren't legitimate criticisms about how certainly things have been handled but I will say this, that what we are trying to do this week is make sure people see beyond the sound bites."

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