Reply #97: Thank you for the welcome.

[Sam0724]

Thank you for pointing out the areas where you (and even I) disagree with Russ. Where you and I differ is that I still see him a real liberal.

Those are issues that can be researched and opinions can be formed based on his voting and public statements on each of the matters. In addition, during research, if a constituent (take me, for example) can call Russ or write to him and tell him how we feel about the issue and how our opinions differ from his. Like I mentioned upthread; I also question where he was for the Congressional Black Caucus during the 2000 election certification.

He's done a lot of good and his opinions on all of the above, while not ideal, are also not polar opposite of mine (and probably yours). I see the courage of being the sole vote against the USA PATRIOT Act and I love the way he's defended civil liberties.