Oberstar's attendance a campaign issue

Campaign staffers for Democrat Jim Oberstar and Republican Rod Grams are exchanging barbs over Oberstar's attendance record in Congress. Grams says Oberstar skips both committee and House floor votes, and that Oberstar takes long weekends.

But Oberstar's Campaign Communications Director, John Schadl, says Grams is distorting the Congressman's record.

"There are going to be times for a Congressman when it's more important to listen to your constituents and be in the district than it's going to be to cast some procedural votes," Schadl says. "There are votes where it may not be super-critical that you're there, but it is super-critical that you're meeting with your constituents."

Schadl says Oberstar's record shows he makes about 95 percent of the House floor votes, about the same as Grams's percentage as a U.S. Senator. Grams is challenging Oberstar for the 8th District Congressional seat.