I'm Not Supporting Obama in the Primaries, but - a Kibitz on the "Present" Vote Issue

[CorpGovActivist]

He might say: "I'd rather vote 'present' on a tough vote like the IWR or the Iran use of force resolution, than to vote 'yes' in support of Bush's and Cheney's madcap adventures any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. Where do you stand on the tough issues, Senator? When Bush and Cheney need a Democratic vote, you're both 'PRESENT' and 'ACCONTED FOR,' from the looks of your voting record."

- Dave

[dkf]

1. Voting "Present" is a tactic used in Illinois politics.

Hillary knows this, but she wants to use it anyway. That is dirty, lowdown and disgusting.

[CorpGovActivist]

2. Present and Accounted For - Bush/Cheney Can Count on the Green Light, Right Senator? n/t

[JVS]

4. Could you elaborate on that please?

I've never heard od such a thing

[madrchsod]

12. here is an example

"Most of Mr. Obama's "present" votes in Illinois, his campaign says, were part of a legislative strategy or were cases in which he doubted the constitutionality of a bill.

For us, a 'present' vote was a 'no' vote," the president of the Illinois chapter of Planned Parenthood, Pam Sutherland, said. "We in Illinois considered Barack Obama a pro-choice leader."

She said the "born alive" bill was part of a package of three measures introduced by anti-abortion lawmakers. The other two were more expansive, she said, and would have put a "chill" on doctors who performed abortions. One would have required a second physician to be present during any abortion procedure where there was a "reasonable" chance that a fetus would be born alive, and the other would have covered medical costs for the parents of a fetus born alive. The strategy for abortion rights supporters, she said, was to vote "present" on all three bills.


this is on page three of the article. this is used a lot in illinois. i hope this clears this up for you

http://www.nysun.com/article/69700
Clinton: Obama Should Vote 'No' On Abortion Issue She Backed - January 17, 2008 - The New York Sun

[CorpGovActivist]

15. Thanks! n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. Apparently he's used it the US Senate too. So what's the excuse now?

[AlCzervik]

7. well he's not in Chicago anymore and voting "Present" while i understand his reasoning

doesn't cut it, it's either yes or no. Her vote on IWR was dead wrong but he's no better voting "Present" on the iran resolution.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Apparently he votes "present" on the reagan legacy too.

[CorpGovActivist]

5. Does He Vote PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR When Bush/Cheney Beat the War Drums? n/t

[JackBeck]

8. Who can decide where to place a vote?

Especially when it comes to continuing to fund a war that one would never have voted for if I had a chance?

I'm just gonna say, "Here", but don't want to register an opinion that I may have to support in case I run for higher office.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. Abstentions Are Tricky, Prickly Things for a Parliamentarian n/t

[suston96]

9. Is "present" like "nolo contendere" in court?

[CorpGovActivist]

10. It's Like the Clinton Appointee to the UN Voting ABSTAIN n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. but here is my question, is the UN which is not solely run by the US govt

comparable to the congress?

[CorpGovActivist]

17. Our Vote There Is a Purely Executive Function...

... and former President Clinton both appointed ambassadors, and headed up the Executive.

Maybe Madeline Albright and he can explain why we voted "present" as the world's only remaining superpower?

- Dave

[madrchsod]

13. check my example..

[CorpGovActivist]

14. Thanks for Including n/t