The NAMES of the two Democratic sellouts on the Budget vote:

[bvar22]

Congressman Leonard Boswell, 3rd District Iowa


PatHenry rating:-177.5 (not good)
http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/house-score6.html

AWOL for many votes (sick?).
Likes the War, Patriot Act, and Defense Contractors
Voted AGAINST CAFTA
Voted FOR Estate Tax Repeal

"This budget is wrong and misguided." Balancing the budget on the backs of the poor is immoral, even."

Does anyone know why he didn't vote last night?
Was he sick?




Congressman Ed Towns, 10th District (Brooklyn) NY


PatHenry rating: +72.5 (For comparison, Kucinich Rating=+440)
http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/house-score6.html

Likes RICH People and legislation FOR RICH People.
Voted FOR Estate Tax Repeal
Voted FOR CAFTA



Had these two Democrats voted with the Party, it would have "tied" the vote.
I'm sure that the Repubs could have twisted another arm to "win".

[aquart]

1. BROOKLYN???????

[bvar22]

5. Doesn't make sense, does it?

I fully expected to find absolute assholes that I could demonize and "strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger", but was disappointed.

Ed Towns should be challenged by a strong progressive in Brooklyn.

I guess Boswell is sick. He has missed many votes (AWOL), and should be replaced.

[aquart]

15. "Challenged by a strong progressive..."

Yes, that would be best.

My mind went to more Brooklyn-like solutions. Sometimes I am just not a good person.

[Pam-Moby]

2. That is what I was asking this morning.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5393794&mesg_id=5393794

What is up with that?

[papau]

3. These fellows do not deserve any crap - the GOP "hold vote" so as

to find out the final, and then release enough votes so that Dem absent voters equal the difference to "tie" is getting a bit old.

We are up against folks with no brain of their own who march and kiss ass as ordered by the party leaders.

We had no chance to "tie" - ever.

And to carry on about the 2 vote spread is silly - indeed it plays into the GOP game and is indeed the result the GOP hoped to get from the hard work they did to make it a 2 vote margin.

:-(

[bvar22]

8. I understand that.

And I have been watching long enough to see holdout Dems cross over to give the Repubs the one or two vote win.

I DO believe that we should watch and remember the names, even though it appears that the DINOS rotate the "Corporate Tit Sucking Duties" for their "night in the barrel", while the rest get to go home with a "cover your ass" worthless vote.

OTOH, More people are waking up.
5 years ago, I couldn't have named 1/2 the Congresscritters from my own state. Now I can give you a short Bio and synopsis of voting records for 1/2 the Congress, and most of the Senate.
There are Thousands (millions?) like me.

[papau]

14. Thank God and bless you for your efforts. This election theft has to stop

my grandkids can not afford more GOP control.

:toast:

:-)

[flpoljunkie]

4. Indeed, they would have "twisted another arm to win" It's their modus

operandi. How many times have we seen it--most spectacularly, the egregious giveaway to the pharmaceutical companies and HMO's--the Medicare prescription drug bill.

[shance]

6. Thanks for posting. This is very disappointing to see bought and paid

for individuals who are supposed to be actual leaders.

[Debi]

7. Boswell has had some serious health issues

and is recovering from surgery to remove a mass from his abdomen. I don't think that costitutes as a sellout.

Do you?

Also, Hotline's On Call has it that the republicans would have just twisted more arms to win - they were going to win no matter what.


Behind The Scenes Of The Budget Vote
One GOP leadership source said that the approps loss was worth sustaining because it then allowed "moderates to 'breathe'" before taking what the leadership viewed to be a tougher and more important vote on the budget bill.

A GOP leadership source tells us they knew they had the votes to win on the budget bill going in (including the expected 'no's'), but that "the only surprise was" Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), "who RSC members had assured us was a 'yes.'

This source added that they knew that Rep. Leanord Boswell (D-IA) was not there to vote, but that the absence of Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) was the "icing on the cake and gave us the 2 vote breathing room" for the win.

One CoS for a moderate GOPer said that the arm-twisting was targeted, as GOP leaders "left the 'hard no's' alone and went after those who were obtainable." Another GOP CoS said that Barton "got beat up pretty good"
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2005/11/behind_the_scen.html#comments


On Edit:

Boswell's staff has stated he plans on making a full recovery and is planning on running for re-election - this does make some in his district nervous as the republican candidate is out raising money as Boswell recovers (and misses votes...)

[bvar22]

9. I agree.

He doesn't appear to be a DINO asshole.
His low PatHenry rating is due to the many missed votes.
Isn't it possible to assign a staffer to vote for you?
The Party NEEDS his vote, and Iowans deserve a warm body in their seat.

I wish him a complete and healthy recovery.
:patriot:

[Idioteque]

10. Congressmen miss votes!

It's not like they voted for it...they just weren't there. It would have tied with their votes allowing Hastert to break the tie. Them not voting isn't a problem.

[Debi]

11. Missing some votes is a problem

I agree with you on this though, if they had showed the GOP would have just found more votes on their side.

Members of Congress should strive to make as many votes as they can and should not miss such narrow votes as this one. Why be elected if you aren't going to represent?

[bvar22]

12. Missed votes on important issues IS a BIG PROBLEM!

We are paying their ridiculous salaries and perks.
They SHOULD show up.The budget IS a BIG vote.
If a Congressman doesn't think this is an important vote, and doesn't bother to "Show Up", I want another Representative who takes his job seriously!

I "Show Up" for MY job. They should "Show Up" for theirs!

All-in-All, The Democrats did GREAT last night.
That was the best display of Party Unity and Opposition Party behavior I have seen in the US. It reminded me f the Parliment! I loved the pasionate flooor speeches and the Gloves Off Truth Telling about the immorality of this budget. I cheered for our guys, and am hungry for more.

[woldnewton]

13. Towns, like Gregory Meeks on CAFTA, must be PRIMARIED

Enough is enough!!