JEFFERSON CITY – Claire McCaskill’s opposition to the president’s decision to monitor terrorists who threaten our country has been discredited by a panel of former Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judges whose comments further illuminate McCaskill’s woeful lack of knowledge on important foreign policy and intelligence matters.

The five judges told the Senate Judiciary Committee that President Bush did not act illegally when he created by executive order a wiretapping program conducted by the National Security Agency even though McCaskill claims it was illegal. The judges also stated that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act does not override the president’s constitutional authority to spy on suspected international agents under executive order.

"Claire McCaskill continues to be uninformed on foreign policy and other important federal issues facing our country," said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. "Claire McCaskill should spend more time researching the issues rather than reciting the liberal talking points provided by the national Democrats."

McCaskill’s lack of foreign policy knowledge might also explain why she remains silent about censure just days before Senate hearings this week focusing on U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold’s Resolution to censure the president on legal terrorist surveillance.

"Claire McCaskill continues to demonstrate her weakness on national security issues," Sloca said. "Missourians deserve a senator who understands these issues and who won’t play politics with national security."