Howell County Lincoln Day
May 18 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
West Plains Civic Center Exhibit Hall
Why Fly Commercial When You Can Fly ‘Air Claire’?
On Monday, the Missouri Republican Party launched “Air Claire,” a Twitter parody account inspired by Senator Claire McCaskill’s proclivity for private travel and her recent comments that “normal people” should be able to afford private planes just like hers.
McCaskill’s private plane fiasco dates back to 2011, when she came under fire for using taxpayer money to fund about 90 trips on her $2.2 million plane. After that debacle, McCaskill sold the “damn plane,” only to turn around and buy a new one.
McCaskill’s private travel woes resurfaced during a town hall earlier this week. When a constituent asked McCaskill a transportation question, McCaskill openly quipped that she should not be judged for owning a private plane, and suggested that even “normal people” can afford these opulent toys.
In an attempt to capture McCaskill’s notion of how “normal people” travel, the “Air Claire” Twitter feed envisions an airline where no one waits in line, seatbacks and tray tables never need to be in an upright position, and first class is the only class. These imaginary luxuries are just as far-fetched as McCaskill’s statement that “normal people” can afford private planes — hence, the tagline: “There’s airfaire, then there’s Clairefaire.”
“No wonder Claire McCaskill is so detached from Missouri voters,” said Austin Stukins, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “To say that normal people can afford private planes is either totally delusional or just outright insulting to hardworking Missourians,” Stukins continued. “There’s no doubt that Claire’s 2018 prospects are up in the air — probably in the first row of Air Claire.”
The “Air Claire” Twitter account quickly attracted widespread attention and was even featured in a national publication shortly after it was launched.
