Has anyone heard an explanation from Clinton, Biden or Dodd as to why

[gateley]

they were no shows at last night's vote? (Obama's camp made a statement yesterday so he wasn't expected - the rest of "us" are left scratching our heads).

All our candidates are being beat up on various blogs and there have been a couple of scathing articles regarding their absence.

Richardson even criticized them for it.

It's just too curious that NONE of the three were there, so I'm leaning toward the Reid-fucking-with-the-schedule argument, but we need to hear something from the candidates themselves.

Thanks for any info.

[waiting for hope]

1. I thought I heard the Obama camp

say that his vote either way wasn't going to make a difference so hence the no show. As for the other two, don't know.

[gateley]

2. Yeah, Obama did make a statement, so he wasn't expected. The other three

WERE expected, which is why I want to know what the heck happened.

[redqueen]

15. Please see the thread posted at the link in post 12. (nt)

[graywarrior]

3. Even if their vote made no difference, there is such a thing as solidarity.

Jeeze, can't they fake til they make it?

[Cameron27]

6. Even if they can't fake solidarity,

it was an important vote and they should have been there.

[gateley]

7. This is my point. They were planning on voting. They didn't appear. It is

most likely because Reid changed the schedule at the last minute and they didn't have time to get back to DC to participate.

I know it was important for them to vote.

THEY didn't care that their vote didn't make a difference, they were going to vote regardless.

It's only logical to assume there's a VALID REASON why they weren't there, and that's what I'm waiting to hear.

Did you read my OP?

[graywarrior]

11. I guess I have run out of patience.

[Lucinda]

13. It's confusing. I could swear that CNN said mid-day that the vote would be last night

But that may not take into consideration whatever Reid was doing behind the scenes. It may have been a leak to push Reps that actually came true. I'm sure Biden will make a statement about it.

[graywarrior]

16. And I'm sure Wolfie will question them about it next debate

and question them about it and question them about it in as many ways as he possibly can.

[Lucinda]

17. Now that's something you can take to the bank!

:D

[graywarrior]

19. Wolf asks the dumbest questions on the planet.

His stupid "what if" questions make me want to hurl a brick at the tv.

[Lucinda]

22. Russert is close to tying Wolfie for the Most Worthless Questions title.

But the "What IF" is a mind-boggler.

[graywarrior]

23. He's a 12 year old.

I can't believe he has that job.

Oh wait, it's CNN.

[Lucinda]

25. I still watch CNN. but I admit I pick and choose what and when.

Thankfully we have the internet(s) so we don't have to depend on broadcast news for real news content. :)

[graywarrior]

27. We channel surf between MSNBC & CNN

We roll on the floor laughing at Wolf, yell at Lou, threaten suicide or homicide over Tweety, and come back to sanity with Keith.

[Lucinda]

31. I admire your stamina. I cant do MSNBC at all - except for Keith

Tweety makes my head hurt. :D I never know which Tweety will show up. The one on top of the facts, or the one that obsesses about laughs and clapping and how macho someone is.

I do find myself yelling at Lou too. Who knew that broadcast news would become so interactive? :rofl:

[graywarrior]

32. It's a party every night in our house.

We can't wait to see Lou's hair split in the back. It's the highlight of the hour. Takes our attention off his crazed immigration rant.

[Lucinda]

33. LMAO

I must be missing the gene necessary to watch for extended periods.
It all turns to "Blah blah blah.... TERROR!!!! <insert vague rumor> DEMS suck!!! Blah blah blaaaaaaah" after about 10 minutes for me. :)

[gateley]

20. Yes the vote was changed to last night. It was initially thought to probably

take place around midnight, but they ended up pushing it up almost two hours. I almost picture them on final approach to the airport only to learn it's already a done deal. If that's the real scenario - I think I'm pissed - imagine how mad THEY'D be!

I looked at Biden's schedule for yesterday and he had nothing planned after a morning appearance, which I took to mean he was heading back to DC to vote.

He actually cancelled a campaign appearance to fly back to DC when the SCHIP vote was announced. He takes this responsibility seriously.

They need to make a statement because this is VERY important to their supporters, and thank you for your calming assurance that one is most likely forthcoming. I'm getting too worked up about this! :hi:

[Lucinda]

30. I don't think Biden or Clinton would have missed it without good reason.

I'd sure like to know what happened sooooon. :)

I'm in the unpopular minority about Mukasey. I really think junior would have done something stupid and appointed someone really, really bad when the session ends, had they not approved Mukasey. Though that's not much of a justification for his getting approved. :eyes: The whole thing makes my head spin.

[ellacott]

8. I like the way you said that

It was bad that none showed up.

I want to find out if Reid actually did call the vote with 3hrs. notice.

[floridablue]

4. Tradeoff ?

Sometimes during campaigns they arrange a tradeoff vote with an opposition.

[gateley]

9. Doesn't make sense in this instance. They were planning on being there to vote.

[rjones2818]

5. All of the Senators camaigning to be POTUS

should have voted on the AG nomination. After all, it was the freakin' AG being confirmed. Sheeesh.

[gateley]

10. My god. Will people please READ the OP? I don't think they just blew this off -

I think they were UNABLE to get there in time due to REID CHANGING THE SCHEDULE AT THE LAST MINUTE. I want to find out if that's what happened.

I WANT TO KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE I JUMP TO JUDGMENT AS SO MANY OF YOU ARE WONT TO DO.

You people are pissing me off - and it takes a LOT to do that on DU.

Jesus.

[redqueen]

14. Calm down.

Take a break if you need to... some people have been reading on it and have heard that Reid warned them ahead of time about the rescheduling... some people have said it was done at the last second.

How about you find out which is irrefutably true and let us know then you won't have to get all pissed off about what others think.

[redqueen]

12. This "the votes weren't there" story just might be more hot air blown towards our rears.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2246534


Assholes.

[gateley]

24. Thank you for this and thank you for your wise, calming advice in your previous

post. I usually don't succumb like that, but I guess it's because initially I was so disappointed in Biden. Then ANOTHER wise DUer suggested there was probably a legit reason as all three weren't in attendance. So then I was pissed at MYSELF for having a knee-jerk reaction to a situation without knowing the facts. Something I've been known to condescendingly accuse others of, by the way. Add guilt to the mix.

I feel better now - thank you. :hug;

[redqueen]

28. AWWW!

How sweet are you?!

:hug:

I know just how you feel... I'm reading different things here and there and getting pissed no matter what... it only changes whom I'm pissed at, from account to account.

:rofl:

[TwilightGardener]

18. It was set up. Everyone knew he'd be confirmed once the filibuster hurdle

was gone. Reid probably called the vote knowing he'd protect both the confirmation AND his Senator-candidates for having to be responsible for their votes, either way. Reid played it this way deliberately.

Remember--Reid made a big show of asking everybody to be present this week, and then he called a surprise vote? Set-up.

[rinsd]

21. From her campaign schedule Hillary was in NH all day.

She has been fighting a cold/allergies and the rigors of constant campaigning.

But this was an important vote and one she should have cast.

[gateley]

26. Check out the link in redqueen's post. Interesting. I'm still CALMLY waiting

for word from one of their campaigns. :7

[ginchinchili]

29. Rest assured that it will be asked at the next debate.