O'Really asserts that Hillary is a liberal becuz she has a 95%

[WI_DEM]

ADA (the liberal political action group--Americans for Democratic Action) voting record. Do you agree? or do voting records only reveal part of the story?

[mtnsnake]

1. Hillary is way more liberal than most people here give her credit for

She's not my favorite to run for 2008, but I sure would have confidence in her if she did get the nod, and I'd be proud to support her. She's a capable politician and a brilliant lady who can handle the rightwing assholes like few other people can.

[papau]

8. I agree :-)

:-)

[Tactical Progressive]

11. She is my favorite to run for 2008

I love Wes Clark, from the first time I heard him long before he decided to run, and I've always liked Al Gore even as many Dems backed off of him after 2000. I almost wish Hillary wouldn't run so that one of those two could have a clear run.

Almost, but not quite, and with Hillary in the running, it's no contest who our best candidate is. Sorry Al and Wes, though Wes might be viable as a VP candidate.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Another DUer explained how these ratings are not that revealing, as you

have to consider what votes are being rated... I think they said the ADA uses votes that are often issues attached to other issues and it's more important to consider votes on primary bills that pass or don't pass, that's roughly the reasoning I recall... and that it's a lot different.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Few bills don't have riders.

Any Senator/Rep worth their salt would vote "Nay" 95% of the time.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. I was just reading at the ADA site, the majority of the votes rated are

amendments.

http://www.adaction.org/ADATodayVR2004.pdf

[slaveplanet]

7. you just described

Ron Paul...I believe his house nickname is "Dr No"

never saw a bill he liked, his nay is above 95%

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. Not for pulling out of the Bloody Quagmire that is Iraq = NOT Liberal

"Straddling the fence" = NOT Liberal

[Orangepeel]

6. They show a clear difference

What's, say, Sam Brownback's ADA voting record?

Okay, I looked it up. 15%.

The ADA picks votes that it considers important -- if one Senator scores 95% and another scores 0%, then obviously, there is a clear difference between those Senators and how they vote.

The question is whether or not you trust ADA to pick the issues that are important to you.

______________________________

"ADA is America's oldest independent liberal lobbying organization. In the spirit of the New Deal and ADA founders Eleanor Roosevelt, renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith, and former Senator and Vice President Hubert Humphrey we lobby through coalition partnerships, through direct advocacy, and through the media. Our lobbying philosophy is based on democratic action - motivating our grassroots members to lobby their senators and representatives as constituent-advocates. With 65,000 members nationwide, numerous state and local chapters, and its headquarters in the District of Colombia actively engaging in the political process, ADA continually strives to push for democratic and progressive values and ideals in American policy. Our founders included Eleanor Roosevelt, labor leader Walter Reuther, economist John Kenneth Galbraith, historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey."

The following ratings indicate the degree that each elected official supported the interests of the organization in that year.


http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=003455M&sort=currentoffice

AK U.S. Senate Sr Ted Stevens Republican 20
AK U.S. Senate Jr Lisa A. Murkowski Republican 35
AL U.S. Senate Sr Richard C. Shelby Republican 20
AL U.S. Senate Jr Jefferson B. 'Jeff' Sessions Republican 10
AR U.S. Senate Sr Blanche L. Lincoln Democrat 95
AR U.S. Senate Jr Mark Pryor Democrat 85
AZ U.S. Senate Sr John S. McCain Republican 35
AZ U.S. Senate Jr Jon Kyl Republican 5
CA U.S. Senate Sr Dianne Feinstein Democrat 100
CA U.S. Senate Jr Barbara Boxer Democrat 95
CO U.S. Senate Sr Wayne A. Allard Republican 5
CT U.S. Senate Sr Christopher J. Dodd Democrat 100
CT U.S. Senate Jr Joseph I. Lieberman Democrat 75
DE U.S. Senate Sr Joseph R. Biden Democrat 95
DE U.S. Senate Jr Thomas Richard Carper Democrat 95
FL U.S. Senate Sr Bill Nelson Democrat 80
GA U.S. Senate Sr C. Saxby Chambliss Republican 5
GA U.S. Senate Jr John H. 'Johnny' Isakson Republican 5
HI U.S. Senate Sr Daniel K. Inouye Democrat 100
HI U.S. Senate Jr Daniel Kahikina Akaka Democrat 95
IA U.S. Senate Sr Charles E. 'Chuck' Grassley Republican 20
IA U.S. Senate Jr Thomas 'Tom' Harkin Democrat 100
ID U.S. Senate Sr Larry E. Craig Republican 5
ID U.S. Senate Jr Michael D. 'Mike' Crapo Republican 10
IL U.S. Senate Sr Richard J. 'Dick' Durbin Democrat 95
IN U.S. Senate Sr Richard G. Lugar Republican 20
IN U.S. Senate Jr Evan Bayh Democrat 90
KS U.S. Senate Sr Samuel D. 'Sam' Brownback Republican 15
KS U.S. Senate Jr Pat Roberts Republican 15
KY U.S. Senate Sr Mitch McConnell Republican 15
KY U.S. Senate Jr Jim Bunning Republican 15
LA U.S. Senate Sr Mary L. Landrieu Democrat 85
LA U.S. Senate Jr David B. Vitter Republican 5
MA U.S. Senate Sr Edward M. 'Ted' Kennedy Democrat 100
MA U.S. Senate Jr John Forbes Kerry Democrat 25
MD U.S. Senate Sr Paul S. Sarbanes Democrat 100
MD U.S. Senate Jr Barbara A. Mikulski Democrat 100
ME U.S. Senate Sr Olympia J. Snowe Republican 65
ME U.S. Senate Jr Susan M. Collins Republican 45
MI U.S. Senate Sr Carl Levin Democrat 100
MI U.S. Senate Jr Debbie Ann Stabenow Democrat 100
MN U.S. Senate Sr Mark Dayton Democrat 95
MN U.S. Senate Jr Norm Coleman Republican 30
MO U.S. Senate Sr Christopher S. 'Kit' Bond Republican 20
MO U.S. Senate Jr James M. 'Jim' Talent Republican 20
MS U.S. Senate Sr Thad Cochran Republican 15
MS U.S. Senate Jr Trent Lott Republican 5
MT U.S. Senate Sr Max S. Baucus Democrat 85
MT U.S. Senate Jr Conrad R. Burns Republican 5
NC U.S. Senate Sr Elizabeth H. Dole Republican 25
NC U.S. Senate Jr Richard M. Burr Republican 10
ND U.S. Senate Sr Gaylord Kent 'Kent' Conrad Democrat 90
ND U.S. Senate Jr Byron L. Dorgan Democrat 95
NE U.S. Senate Sr Charles T. 'Chuck' Hagel Republican 20
NE U.S. Senate Jr E. Benjamin 'Ben' Nelson Democrat 65
NH U.S. Senate Sr Judd A. Gregg Republican 15
NH U.S. Senate Jr John E. Sununu Republican 10
NJ U.S. Senate Sr Frank R. Lautenberg Democrat 100
NJ U.S. Senate Jr Robert Menendez Democrat 85
NM U.S. Senate Sr Pete V. Domenici Republican 15
NM U.S. Senate Jr Jeff Bingaman Democrat 90
NV U.S. Senate Sr Harry M. Reid Democrat 90
NV U.S. Senate Jr John Eric Ensign Republican 15
NY U.S. Senate Sr Charles E. 'Chuck' Schumer Democrat 100
NY U.S. Senate Jr Hillary Rodham Clinton Democrat 95
OH U.S. Senate Sr Michael 'Mike' DeWine Republican 35
OH U.S. Senate Jr George V. Voinovich Republican 30
OK U.S. Senate Sr James M. 'Jim' Inhofe Republican 10
OR U.S. Senate Sr Ron Wyden Democrat 100
OR U.S. Senate Jr Gordon Harold Smith Republican 40
PA U.S. Senate Sr Arlen Specter Republican 45
PA U.S. Senate Jr Richard J. 'Rick' Santorum Republican 15
RI U.S. Senate Sr John F. 'Jack' Reed Democrat 100
RI U.S. Senate Jr Lincoln D. Chafee Republican 55
SC U.S. Senate Sr Lindsey O. Graham Republican 25
SC U.S. Senate Jr Jim W. DeMint Republican 0
SD U.S. Senate Sr Tim P. Johnson Democrat 85
TN U.S. Senate Sr William H. 'Bill' Frist Republican 20
TN U.S. Senate Jr Lamar Alexander Republican 15
TX U.S. Senate Sr Kay Bailey Hutchison Republican 25
TX U.S. Senate Jr John Cornyn Republican 5
UT U.S. Senate Sr Orrin Grant Hatch Republican 10
UT U.S. Senate Jr Robert F. Bennett Republican 20
VA U.S. Senate Sr John W. Warner Republican 25
VA U.S. Senate Jr George Felix Allen Republican 15
VT U.S. Senate Sr Patrick J. Leahy Democrat 100
VT U.S. Senate Jr James Merrill 'Jim' Jeffords Independent 85
WA U.S. Senate Sr Patty Murray Democrat 90
WA U.S. Senate Jr Maria Cantwell Democrat 95
WI U.S. Senate Sr Herbert H. 'Herb' Kohl Democrat 100
WI U.S. Senate Jr Russell D. Feingold Democrat 100
WV U.S. Senate Sr Robert C. Byrd Democrat 90
WV U.S. Senate Jr John D. 'Jay' Rockefeller Democrat 90
WY U.S. Senate Sr Craig Thomas Republican 5
WY U.S. Senate Jr Michael B. Enzi Republican 5

[oasis]

12. Is that a typo or does Kerry really have a repuke type rating of 25?

[JI7]

14. it was during campaign year

low rating is a result of missed votes.

[oasis]

16. Thanks. (eom)

[Douglas Carpenter]

9. I did this compilation of Interest group ratings awhile ago

Interest Group ratings of four Democratic Senators; Feingold, Kennedy, Lieberman and Clinton and then two Republicans; Allen and McCain:


This is courtesy of project vote smart - link:

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm
_____________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 100 percent in 2004.

“Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 67 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 33 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 0 percent in 2004.
_________________________________


2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Peace Action 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Peace Action 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Peace Action 75 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Peace Action 38 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Peace Action 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Peace Action 13 percent in 2004.
______________________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 100 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 0 percent in 2004

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League 0 percent in 2004.
__________________

2003-2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 89 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 86 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 78 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 83 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 0 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 22 percent in 2003-2004.
_____________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 95 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 75 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 15 percent in 2004..

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 35 percent in 2004.
__________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 92 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 83 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 17 percent in 2004..

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 33 percent in 2004.
_________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 110 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 110 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 92 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 9 percent in 2004

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 9 percent in 2004.
__________________________

2003-2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the National Education Association 85 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the National Education Association 80 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Education Association 85 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the National Education Association 88 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the National Education Association 25 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Education Association 35 percent in 2003-2004.
______________________

2003-2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 88 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 100 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 88 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 88 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 13 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 25 percent in 2003-2004.
_____________________________________

2003-2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 96 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 100 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 100 percent in 2003-2004

2003-2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 95 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 7 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 14 percent in 2003-2004.
_____________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 60 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 80 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 25 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 50 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 0 percent in 2004.
__________________________

2003-2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 92 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 92 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 92 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 56 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 0 percent in 2003-2004.

2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 56 percent in 2003-2004

____________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 100 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 83 percent in 2004.
_____________________________

2004 Senator Feingold supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 8 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Kennedy supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 0 percent in 2004

2004 Senator Lieberman supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 0 percent in 2004..

2004 Senator Allen supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 92 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 72 percent in 2004.”

[raysr]

10. You know why the pukes hate

Hillary, she can take anything they can dish out because she already has, and survived! Pukes are terrified of a strong woman. I think she's holding back, sort of keeping her powder dry for the big fight. Who'd have thought that she was dead on with the RW conspiracy? I don't like the way most of our reps have voted, I don't single her out. I just think it's cool how she scares the shit out of the pukes. That's right troll, you, scares YOU!

[Hello_Kitty]

13. I agree with her votes 90% of the time.

It's just the other 10% that REALLY pisses me off :grr:

[NewJeffCT]

15. The best thing about HIllary is...

That she's been through a virtual meat-grinder the past 14 years and survived. John Kerry wilted when confronted by the Swift Boat Vets and didn't somebody on DU post a "Kerry really is a flip flopper" thread a month or two back? I have a feeling that if she runs in 2008 and they drag out Feminists for Truth or Hillary's lesbian lover that she will not wilt.

That said, I would prefer Gore in 2008, but it is still way early.