Obama and the Move on vote [View All]

[illinoisprogressive]

While the GOP-authored measure was engineered to drive a wedge between Democrats—making a choice between a politically influential left-wing anti-war group and backing a decorated general—Democratic presidential rivals Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Chris Dodd did take a position; they voted no.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) passed on a 72-25-3 (not voting) roll call. Also not voting: White House contender Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

However, Obama did vote on a Democratic measure by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) intended to provide political cover for Democrats. Boxer’s amendment reffirms support for all U.S. military personnel and to condemn attacks on the patriotism of any soldier. designed to counter Cornyn. The Boxer amendment failed on a 51-46-3 vote. Cornyns’ measure said it was a “sense of the Senate that General David H. Petraeus, Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq, deserves the full support of the Senate and strongly condemn personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all members of the United States Armed Forces.

Obama has a history going back to his days as a state senator in Springfield of not voting or voting “present” when it comes to measures he considered designed specifically to produce a vote record that can be attacked.

In Springfield in 1997, Obama voted present on late term abortion bills. In 1999, he voted present on a bill increasing penalties for firing a gun near a school and on legislation dealing with the privacy of sex-abuse victims. In 2001 he voted present on a series of abortion related bills.

Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said Thursday Obama’s present votes in Springfield were “part of a legislative strategy he crafted with advocates that helped senators in marginal districts vote their conscience on choice and to reduce gun violence.”

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2007/09/sweet_blog_extra_obama_takes_w.html#more