The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Alex]

So, on a procedural vote yesterday to move forward in the Senate with the immigration compromise bill the vote was 69-23. That is 8 abstentions.

7 were Democrats, and one was a Republican.

I'm sure they were just busy and, after all, it was just a procedural motion. There is an interesting common thread among most of the abstentions:

Joseph Biden
Hillary Clinton
Christopher Dodd
John Kerry
Barak Obama
John McCain

That's six of the eight. Number 7 is Tim Johnson of South Dakota who is still recovering from a brain hemorrhage last year, so he probably actually was otherwise occupied. The eighth it Bill Nelson from Miami-Dade and I would guess he honestly doesn't know what to do since his Cuban constituents can't, almost by definition, be illegal immigrants.

So, six of the seven real abstentions just happen to be people heavily involved in the run for the White House (or, in Kerry's case, flying in those circles on some kind of political inertia). I could be wrong, but when everybody running for president suddenly develops prior obligations preventing them from getting to the floor for a vote I would have to argue that the issue isn't a popular one.

[wendybeth]

I would agree, Alex- and the make-up of that list is not at all surprising.

I am really hating politics of late. Is there no one out there who has conviction and the courage to stand for....something?

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I am really hating politics of late. Is there no one out there who has conviction and the courage to stand for....something?

I would say that, no, there isn't. I've yet to see one candidate that I would feel comfortable voting for, on either side of the fence. Republicans suffer a lack of integrity and Democrats, lack of any noticeable spine. Neither side has one idea that is remotely progressive or even hints at having an imagination. All of it sickens me,

Of course, if the press actually did their job any more, rather than letting both sides get away with their crap all the time, we might have a better chance of seeing things change.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I am really hating politics of late. Is there no one out there who has conviction and the courage to stand for....something?

And if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I am really hating politics of late. Is there no one out there who has conviction and the courage to stand for....something?

He hasn't exactly gone out of his way to take any bold stands, but so far I'm respecting Obama simply because more often than not I've heard him saying, "I'm the right candidate because..." rather than, "The other candidates [on either side of the aisle] suck because..." I appreciate that. I'm sure people will be happy to find counter examples, I'm just saying I've heard it less from him than anyone. I hope he continues in that vein.

That, and while it may hurt his electibility, I consider his relative lack of political experience a huge bonus to his qualifications.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

7 were Democrats, and one was a Republican....John McCain.

There is a movement in AZ (and I doubt it will go anywhere) to get McCain to resign. It isn't because of his position on this bill per se (thought I'm sure that comes into play), but because in this session of Congress he has missed 50% of the votes.

I don't care if you're running for President....fulfill the responsibility of the office you hold. His argument is that the votes he has missed hasn't mattered because they were one sided anyway. I say they matter because he can successfully take himself off the record on 50% of recent votes.