Iowa GOPer's National Guard Service Excuse For Missing Votes Doesn't Check Out

[cal04]

Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst (R) has said she's missed votes because of National Guard duty, but a review by The Cedar Rapids Gazette of Iowa suggests that Ernst's National Guard duties actually haven't kept her from attending that many votes in the Iowa Senate.

Ernst, according to the Gazette, has repeatedly cited National Guard duty to defend herself against criticism that she's been missing too many votes in the state Senate. But a report by the Gazette on Monday said there's actually "very little overlap between Iowa Senate votes and her National Guard service."

(snip)
The Gazette and the Iowa Senate Journal, through a Freedom of Information and Iowa open open records request, found that 12 of the 117 votes Ernst missed were on days when she was on active duty.

(snip)
"Well first, National Guard Services," Ernst said. "I have had some days on duty that I've had to be with the National Guard. And those are times that I've been on orders…so that is one thing you won't hear them talking about, those that are attacking my voting record."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/joni-ernst-missed-votes-national-guard-service

Few of Ernst’s missed Iowa Senate votes due to National Guard Duty

Just 10 percent of 117 missed votes were on days Ernst was on duty
http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa/legislature/few-of-ernsts-missed-iowa-senate-votes-due-to-national-guard-duty-20140414#ixzz2yrDW0wbe

[madaboutharry]

1. Is it just me, or

does this sound like Sarah Palin word salad speak?

"Well first, National Guard Services," Ernst said. "I have had some days on duty that I've had to be with the National Guard. And those are times that I've been on orders…so that is one thing you won't hear them talking about, those that are attacking my voting record."