Former senator calls for end to political bullying after Auditor Tom Schweich's death
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Former senator calls for end to political bullying after Auditor Tom Schweich's death

Date: March 3, 2015
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A former United States senator and top sponsor of State Auditor Tom Schweich called for a calmer voice in the political arena during Schweich's eulogy Tuesday
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Former Senator Jack Danforth gave the eulogy for State Auditor Tom Schweich less than a week after Schweich died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Danforth said politics as usual must stop and Schweich's death must serve as a wakeup call.

Actuality:  DANWORDS.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "Words do hurt, words can kill. That has been proven right here in our home state."

Senator Claire McCaskill said on Twitter after Danforth's speech "We must stop political bullying and personal destruction."

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
Former Senator and mentor to State Auditor Tom Schweich lamented the nastiness of politics today and called for an end to it as he delivered Schweich's eulogy Tuesday
RunTime:  0:32
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Former Senator Jack Danforth, one of Schweich's closest friends, decried what he called a whisper campaign that Schweich was Jewish. 

Actuality:  SEMITIC.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "I have never experienced an anti-Semitic campaign. Anti-Semitism is always wrong and we can never let it creep into politics."

Newly-elected Missouri Republican Party Chairman John Hancock is accused of leading the anti-Semitic campaign and some have called on him to resign.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
The funeral for State Auditor Tom Schweich was held Tuesday morning and one of his closest political allies called for those in power to change the way politics and campaigns are run.
RunTime:  0:34
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Former Senator Jack Danforth lamented how politics has taken a turn for the worse since his time in office and called on fellow politicians to stand up to political bullies.

Actuality:  DANBULLY.WAV
Run Time:  00:16
Description: "We will not accept their way as the way of politics. We will stand up to them and we will defeat them. This will be our memorial to Tom."

After Danforth's speech applause rang out from the chapel and the overflow room.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.