Kerry, Edwards Fail to Vote for Workers

[libragirl73]

With millions of unemployed Americans
looking for work, Rep. Dennis Kucinich,
co-sponsored a bill to extend unemployment benefits.
After the bill was deadlocked by
Republicans in committee,
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA,
attempted on Thursday 26 February
to amend the bill before the Senate to
approve an extension of benefits.

The vote required a three-fifths majority to carry.
Even though 11 Republicans joined Democrats
in voting of the amendment,
it failed by two votes:
Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards were ABSENT.

Millions of unemployed Americans lost a
chance for hope Thursday, as
Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards
missed a key vote that could have
extended benefits through June 30.
The votes of Kerry and Edwards would have
tipped the scale in favor of American workers.

Now, millions of unemployed Americans
will have to wonder how their
elected leaders having failed them again -
And the reason---
two Democrats missing in action.

A study of 119 key Senate votes in 2003,
done by Congressional Quarterly,
found Kerry missed 72 percent of the votes,
while Edwards was absent 47
percent of the time.

By contrast, on Nov. 19, 2003, CNN reported,
"Kucinich has tried not to
neglect his congressional duties while
campaigning for president.
He has the best attendance record for roll call votes
of the five Democratic candidates
from Congress. He visits the district
two to three times a month, although
that's down from his pre-presidential campaign
custom of every weekend."

Congressman Dennis Kucinich challenged
Senators John Edwards and John Kerry
to save American jobs by joining him in
his pledge to cancel the North
American Free Trade Agreement. Both refused.

In a national debate on CNN, on Feb 26,
Kucinich renewed his pledge to
cancel NAFTA and the WTO by executive order
as his first act in office.
Neither Kerry nor Edwards would commit
to canceling NAFTA. Kerry voted for
NAFTA and has consistently voted for other
comparable trade agreements.
Kerry and Edwards both voted for the
China trade agreement.

VOTE FOR DENNIS KUCINICH: He is voting for US!
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO INFLUENCE THE PLATFORM!

[mhr]

1. This Is The Reason I Cannot Support Either Edwards Or Kerry

Go Dennis Go!

[displacedtexan]

2. JK and JE votes would have tied the senate 50-50...

and Dick would have cast the tie breaking vote. The deal was sealed without JK and JE.

At least, that's the latest info I have.

[DFLforever]

6. That's not so! the amendment would have passed with 60 votes if

Kerry and Edwards had bothered to vote. The final vote was 58 to 39.Several Repubs joined the Dems in support of the amendment.


http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=2&vote=00018

So much for Kerry and Edwards support of ordinary Americans.
I guess Edwards is right, there are two Americas and unlike the recent unemployed, these millionaires will never be dependent on unemployment insurance for food or housing.

[DuctapeFatwa]

3. They are both smart to concentrate on the more affluent & investors

Who are more likely to vote and lots more likely to contribute than those who have been or are being transitioned to the non-voting majority underclass.

[bitchkitty]

5. The problem I have with both of them regarding this -

Evidently We the People, to them, means You the People Who Contributed the Most.

[libragirl73]

4. That doesn't excuse the fact that...

...Kerry missed 72% of the votes
in 2003, and Edwardo was absent 47%
of the time.

These people may not be contributing to
the 2 Senators campaigns, but they DO
contribute to our economy and society.

I think it speaks mountains that DK is
able to be present for his JOB as a
Congressman--while keeping just as hectic
a schedule as the others during this campaign.

It proves that our candidate is running
on MORE than just pure EGO.
He cares what happens to the people of this
country, and has the record to prove it.

These 2 Senators are already so far ahead,
you mean to tell me that they couldn't
afford to take a day to fight for the
people they say they care about?

Actions speak louder than words,
and YOU can make of their actions
what you will.

[bigtree]

7. Padding a vote record is a worthless action

Running to unseat Bush is worth the majority of anyone's attention. If Daschle needed them he would call them and they would be there. Period. Unseating Bush is worth the majority of his attention also. His silence on their absense from these predestined votes speaks to this. He can count votes and he has been told by both camps to call if their vote will be determinate. Kerry did in fact return to cast a non-binding vote protecting a woman's right to choose at Daschle's bidding. Only in opposition to Kerry and Edwards do we press these republican manufactured canards here, just to carve out a sweet spot for our favorite candidate.

BTW, does your 2003 Kerry figure include his diagnosis, surgery and recovery from prostate cancer? Should he be held accountable for these missed votes also?