Unfortunately, it appears that many support Obama based on what they believe he will do as president relying on what he says in speeches and/or what he has written in his books. It would be wiser for them to take a look at what he has done in the past to better predict what he will likely do in the future.
I find that his voting record indicates that he does not support, and it many cases opposes those values that he says he is in favor of.
The complete voting records of both of the candidates can be found in various places, but a consolidated source is:
http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
At that site there is also a section that lists the ratings given to the candidates by various special interest groups. These ratings are a good indicator of where the candidate stands on issues that are important to each of us as voters.
I find that a number of them are very troubling in that they are in opposition to what he says he's going to do if he becomes president and to the values that I feel are important.
Here are a few of the ratings. The reader can check out each special interest group to see what the organization stands for.
This is just a small sample of the listings at votesmart.org. Remember, these ratings are given by the organization itself, usually based on past voting record.
* NARAL Pro-Choice America (2007)
Obama 100%
McCain 0%
* Planned Parenthood (2006)
Obama 100%
McCain 0%
* National Right To Life (2005-2006)
Obama 0%
McCain 75%
* Family Research Council (2007)
Obama 0%
McCain 44%
* National Organization for Women (2005-2006)
Obama 91%
McCain 13%
* Secular Coalition (2006)
Obama 90%
McCain 20%
* ACLU (2007)
Obama 80%
McCain 50%
* Americans for Tax Reform (2007)
Obama 5%
McCain 70%
* Citizens Against Government Waste (2007)
Obama 10%
McCain 100%
* Conservative Index - John Birch Society (2007)
Obama 0%
McCain 43%
* Eagle Forum (2007)
Obama 7%
McCain 46%
* AFL-CIO (2007)
Obama 100%
McCain 0%
3 comments:
While voting records can indicate what a cadidate values, care should be taken in using it as a primary source of information about that candidate.
This is because bill are complex things. A congressman might vote yes on a bill because he/she feels that, while they might disagree with portions of it, the bill represents a good compromise. They might vote no because, while they agree with the main thought of the bill, they might feel that it's execution isn't as effective as it could be.
A bill could earn a yes/no vote simply because of the earmarks.
Finally, congressional votes can be used as leverage. If a congressman really wants to pass a particular bill, he/she can agree to vote for another congressman's bill in exchange for their vote. It's not pretty, but sometimes, that's what needs to happen in order to get things going.
My point is, a yes/no vote cannot tell the whole story and should be viewed skeptically. It's really bothered me that the candidates have used voting history so much, but I guess what ever works.
While what CJ says is somewhat true, in that sometimes it might not be what you want to vote for. That fact is Obama has not only voted yes to those votes that I would consider against what I religiously and constitutionally believe,but he has also been heard many times in many different programs and events, before and while he is running,about those issues he voted on and his approval and push to get them to pass and why.He has a disturbing voting record! Just like he says he's not going to take our guns away, but if you look at his record, he has tried and even succeeded numerous times at his "gun control" laws that work so very well, in fact so well that Chicago is about to be named murder capital of the US!! Shocker!
Hey Bethany, I don't know if you all are already aware of this website but I thought I'd mention it anyway, it's glassbooth.org. First it has you put points on issues that matter most to you, I suggest adding all of them, because in the next section it asks you specific questions on the choices you selected. Then is compares your views to all of the presidential candidates, then gives you quotes and details as to how and why you are similar or different from that candidate. I thought it was interesting, and again sorry if you all were already aware of it.
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