ACU-ratings needs watchdogs! (lots of errors)

acuratings+senate records | 5-23-05 | Susannah

[Susannah]

I was going through some of the ratings at http://www.acuratings.org and found a number of conflicts with points they gave or took away from Senators who they claim voted for or against their position.

Here's just one example:

For the year 2003, acuratings listed the Death tax Repeal S.Con Res 23 (roll call 62) passed 51-48 in the Senate

I didn't go through every Senator's score, but I noticed they identified a number of Senators who voted for or against the ACU position that actually didn't. For example: they gave points to Byrd, Boxer, Feinstein, Chafee, Collins, McCain, Snowe and others that DID NOT vote the ACU position; Lincoln (D-AR), Nelson (D-FL), Nelson (D-NE), Wyden (D-OR) lost points but DID vote the ACU position.

here's a link to the Senate vote on that one issue that I accessed through www.c-span.org:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00062

[Susannah]

I sent the acuratings an email (corrections@acuratings.org) to let them know they had errors and suggested they go through the actual roll call votes, but I hope there others who will point out every error they see at acuratings because I know many rely on the site as a basis for conservative ratings.

If I were on a faster connection, I would go through their entire list and compare it with the actual roll call votes which I usually access through the links at http://www.c-span.org

[perfect stranger]

bump for later reading.

[Susannah]

The very least FReepers could do to influence the ACU, is to massively email them and suggest they NOT lower a member of Congress' ratings when they vote in FAVOR of more border security. They DO oppose amnesty, but I would like them to give conservative points to those who vote for increasing border security!

[Gipper08]

Mike Pence has never voted against the ACU yet his lifetime rating is 99 because on their website they give him a 96 in 2003 (mistakenly)even though he clearly has a perfect score.

[Gipper08]

Senator George Allen (R)
Virginia
2003 Score - 80
Previous Year's Score - 84
Lifetime Score - 91
Years of Service - 6





“Death Tax” Repeal. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 62)
This amendment to the Budget Resolution would have accelerated the repeal of the Estate Tax from 2010 to 2009. ACU supported the amendment. It passed 51-48 on 20 March 2003.
The bill was passed (51-48)
ACU supported this bill
This member voted in opposition to ACU's position


Here it says George Allen voted against the accelerated repeal of the death Tax.Do you know if this is accurate or another error?

[Sonny M]

I was always under the impression that David Kean (I think I spelled his name right, head of the ACU) was in favor of more open borders, but in a less out and out way.

If I got it right, the ACU ratings regarding immigration generally differ from the conservative movement at large.

I do know they minus points for opposition to free trade (or protectionism)l.

[Gipper08]

I did not know that.What about the board members at the ACU? Do you have the impression of them as open boarders? Don Devine?

[Sonny M]

What about the board members at the ACU? Do you have the impression of them as open boarders? Don Devine?

I'm going mostly with what Keane has said (he also writes a column in "the hill") and has written other columns in other papers, he also gives speeches and does other stuff.

The best way to look at it, is to go to ACU ratings, and see what they support versus what GOP members support.

I know that Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond did lose points for immigration stances, and Helms sometimes lost points on free trade agreements. Tancredo did have something to say about the ACU either this year or last year regarding border policy.

You can also look over several books, the political almanac and another book with some title like "for the political junkie", etc.

[Susannah]

The only Republican Senators who opposed the acceleration of the Death Tax Repeal were: Collins, Chafee, Snowe, and McCain

here's a link to the roll call vote AND a perfect example of how the acuratings site is not always accurate:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00062