Reply #10: Obama’s missed vote [View All]

[stillcool]

from not being able to get back for the vote that was moved up....

The congressional record clearly states that senators were informed that the Kyl-Lieberman amendment would not be coming up for a vote in the near future.

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. REID. Mr. Chairman, there will be no more votes tonight. We have tried to work something out on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment and the Biden amendment. We have been unable to do that.

We have been very close a few times, but we have just been informed that Senator Biden will not have a vote anytime in the near future. There will not be a vote on the other one anytime in the near future. We hope tonight will bring more clearness on the issue.

But right now, I think it is fair to say there will be no votes tonight.

Does the Senator from South Dakota have any comments?

Mr. THUNE. No, I do not. I would say to the leader, that is good for our Members to know. We have Members who have been inquiring whether they will be able to vote.

Barack Obama took a position on the issue

The Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 that Obama voted for had language that specifically stated:

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the use of force or the use of the United States Armed Forces against Iran.

This act was about economic sanctions rather than military action, something that Obama has long advocated. It specifically checks any potential use to go to war. It also does not connect Iran with Iraq as does the Kyl-Lieberman bill.


* 9/12/07: Obama to Bush: You Don’t Have Our Authorization for War with Iran
* 8/30/07: Barack Obama Editorial: Hit Iran Where It Hurts
* 8/29/07: Alabama Senator Blocking Obama’s Iran Divestment Bill
* 7/31/07: Obama Urges Swift Passage of Iran Divestment Bill
* 5/17/07: Barack Obama Introduces Iran Divestment Bill

Therefore, Obama is not a Johnny-come-lately on this issue. He has the right to speak out about it since he has been a public voice on it prior to the Kyl-Lieberman vote in late September.
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The interesting thing to me is that some bloggers are more concerned about a candidate who couldn’t get back in time for a vote, but took a clear position on it rather than with the possibility that Clinton’s vote could potentially be used by Bush to take us into war with Iran.
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/10/11/did-obama-skip-the-iran-vote/