FACT CHECK - OBAMA & his Illinois Legislative Present Votes

[FrenchieCat]

Present Votes Are an Accepted Legislative Strategy in the Illinois Senate
January 21, 2008

Obama Was Praised for Standing Up on Tough Issues-- Because His Senate Seat Was Not Vulnerable, He Used His Position To Help More Vulnerable Senators Do The Right Thing. Zorn wrote, "Obama, however, was in a safe district and never faced a serious challenge for his legislative seat. He had no need to shy from hard-line stands on gun control and abortion rights. He actually took such stands frequently and is now highly praised by advocates for both causes.

Anyone Who Thinks A Present Vote Is A "Duck" Doesn't Understand How the Process Works. "There is a presumption, if one is not familiar with the mechanics of the General Assembly, that a present vote is a "duck." Pam Sutherland, the CEO and President of Illinois Planned Parenthood said of Hull argument: "I think it's not well-based…I think it's somebody who doesn't understand how the legislative process works."

Criticizing Present Votes Indicates "You Don't Have A Great Understanding Of The Process." "'Criticizing Obama on the basis of 'present' votes indicates you don't have a great understanding of the process,' said Thom Mannard, director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence."

Voting Present in the State Legislature is Used as A Signal to the Other Party, Not As a Way to Duck the Issue. "An aspect of Obama's State Senate voting record that is drawing attention is his "present" votes. A present vote is a third option to an up or down "yes" or "no" that is used with great frequency in the Illinois General Assembly. It has many varied and nuanced meanings that, in the context of the actual bills, border on boring. It's most important use is as a signal – to the other party, to the governor, to the sponsor -- to show a willingness to compromise on the issue if not the exact bill, to show disapproval for one aspect of the bill, to question the constitutionality of the bill, to strengthen the bill.

Obama Would Vote 'Present' On Unconstitutional Bills, Saying He Tried To Resist Bad Votes That Make Good Politics. The AP reported, "Obama says his 'present' votes often come on bills that he believes are unconstitutional. 'I have tried to not succumb to the temptation of voting on bad laws just because it makes for good politics,' Obama said."

Senators Would Vote Present If They Had 'Unresolved Worries.' The State Journal-Register reported, "Sen. George Shadid, the Edwards Democrat who is pushing the legislation, promised Senate Education Committee members that he wouldn't move ahead with Senate Bill 368 'unless I can get a good consensus.'…Four committee members cited unresolved worries when they voted 'present' on the measure, which passed 7-0."
http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck/2008/01/21/present_votes_are_an_accepted.php

[mtnester]

1. I will tel you what this sounds like to an outsider to Illinois politics

i.e. the regular Joe/Joanne on the street.....


weasel (fondly remembering the Al Franken Show)


Yep..it is a weasel way to not be held politically accountable for a yes or no vote. That it is accepted in Illinois politics matters little to someone in Ohio...or California...or New York. I understand how it could work and why it was developed by seated pols, but still...weasel.

And it seemed to be the one thing that rattled him the most...which honestly was surprising...it was not the thing I thought would shake him up.

Oh, and let me place myself squarely in the "undecided leaning that could change this afternoon" category so I am not confused with a firmly decided.

[FrenchieCat]

2. I'm just putting out the facts. Whether he will be judged on

things that are said that aren't true......As long as you have the facts, that is the best that I could do.

:hi: