And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, the Axviles, with your

host, David Axelrod.

Early in the history of the Axviles, I sat down with then Senator Claire McCaskill to talk

about her life and career.

Now she's former Senator Claire McCaskill having lost her bid for reelection in the fall,

but still full of interesting observations about the process, the state of the Democratic

Party, the Senate and the country.

She's been a fellow at the Institute of Politics this winter, so I thought I'd take advantage

and sit down with her and sort of catch up on what her thoughts are today.

Claire McCaskill, great to see you again, great to have you at the Institute of Politics.

The last time we sat down together like this was in episode 16 of the Axviles way back

in the prehistoric times of 2016, early in 2006.

I can't believe it was that long ago.

Yeah, I know.

Time flies when you're having fun, you know?

And so I'm not going to go and rehearse all of what we talked about there because there's

been a lot of water under the bridge since then, and that's what I want to talk to you about

I'm not sure at that time that you had formally said whether you were going to run for reelection

or not, I don't think you had.

And no, I was really struggling with it.

Yeah, so that's where I want to pick this up.

Tell me about what you were struggling with and what the decision-making process was and

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