Obama more liberal than Kucinich, analysis reveals (Hunter most conservative of GOP field)

McClatchy Washington Bureau ^ | March 19, 2007 | Steven Thomma

[william clark]

WASHINGTON - The most liberal member of Congress running for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination isn't Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.

It's Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

And the Republican candidate who's grown less conservative over his years in Congress? Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

The study, released this month by the National Journal, a respected inside-the-Beltway research report, will help voters cut through the spin and hype of TV sound bites in coming months and judge these candidates for themselves.

Those are among the interesting findings in a recent analysis of votes by all the members of Congress who are running for president. They cut to the heart of debates going on among activists in both major parties: Can a liberal Democrat win a general election? Which Republican is ideologically pure enough to win support from conservatives?

[TomGuy]

The GOP nomination will end up being a battle between the big-business country-club wing and the conservative wing.


They have distinctively different, and many times contradictory, polices and preferences.

Whichever one wins could determine the direction of the nation for the next half-century. Big-business globalism or conservativism?

[bushfamfan]

Not surprising McCain has become less conservative. He's betrayed his party and done everything to undermine it since his desperation for the nomination in 2000. He just has a very bad temper and is very vindictive and a sore loser. That carried over to his work as a Senator. Seems as if most of the time he has deliberately chosen to work against conservatives just for the sake of that they stopped his chance at the nomination. And as for Duncan Hunter, he's a man of leadership.

[RexBeach]

Ah yes. The audactiy of hope!

Sequel: The hopelessness of socialism.

Obama-Jama, everyone's favorite "Magic Negro."

[Basheva]

If you want a true conservative - it has to be Duncan Hunter.

[M203M4]

Senator...	...is more conservative than __% of the Senate on these issues:			Composite Score
Name Sort (alpha by surname)	Economic Sort	Social Sort	Foreign Sort	Conservative Sort
Kyl, Jon, R-Ariz.	97	74	92	90.8
Cornyn, John, R-Texas	97	74	92	90.8
Enzi, Michael, R-Wyo.	97	82	76	89.5
Gregg, Judd, R-N.H.	96	63	53	71.2
Isakson, Johnny, R-Ga.	93	82	82	89.5
Craig, Larry, R-Idaho	93	61	85	81.7
McConnell, Mitch, R-Ky.	93	69	85	84.3
Brownback, Sam, R-Kan.	92	53	64	70.3
Chambliss, Saxby, R-Ga.	89	82	82	88.2
Sununu, John, R-N.H.	89	64	50	69.2
DeMint, Jim, R-S.C.	89	82	92	92.5
Bunning, Jim, R-Ky.	88	82	92	91.8
Thomas, Craig, R-Wyo.	87	82	74	84.5
Sessions, Jeff, R-Ala.	82	82	92	90.5
Allard, Wayne, R-Colo.	82	74	92	86.2
Crapo, Mike, R-Idaho	82	74	85	83.7
Hagel, Chuck, R-Neb.	82	52	76	72
Dole, Elizabeth, R-N.C.	82	82	66	80.7
Inhofe, James, R-Okla.	80	82	92	89.3
Allen, George, R-Va. *	80	82	60	78
Roberts, Pat, R-Kan.	77	82	64	78.2
Bond, Christopher (Kit), R-Mo.	77	74	76	78.5
Frist, Bill, R-Tenn. *	77	68	85	78.5
Alexander, Lamar, R-Tenn.	77	64	67	71.5
Burr, Richard, R-N.C.	76	74	54	70.2
Domenici, Pete, R-N.M.	75	61	85	75.3
Martinez, Mel, R-Fla.	72	57	85	73.2
Vitter, David, R-La.	72	82	85	84.3
Thune, John, R-S.D.	72	82	84	83
Grassley, Charles, R-Iowa	69	82	67	77.3
Hatch, Orrin, R-Utah	69	74	67	73
Bennett, Robert, R-Utah	69	64	54	64
Lott, Trent, R-Miss.	68	72	76	73.3
Coburn, Tom, R-Okla.	65	82	76	78.8
Graham, Lindsey, R-S.C.	65	49	92	70.8
McCain, John, R-Ariz.	64	46	58	56.7
Cochran, Thad, R-Miss.	63	67	60	64.3
Santorum, Rick, R-Pa. *	62	74	67	70.3
Burns, Conrad, R-Mont. *	61	82	76	77.2
Shelby, Richard, R-Ala.	60	73	58	64.3
Ensign, John, R-Nev.	59	82	60	70.8
Stevens, Ted, R-Alaska	58	58	74	64
Murkowski, Lisa, R-Alaska	56	55	67	61.2
Hutchison, Kay Bailey, R-Texas	56	71	67	66.3
Lugar, Richard, R-Ind.	55	51	54	54.3
Smith, Gordon, R-Ore.	53	60	46	54
Warner, John, R-Va.	53	55	54	55.3
Talent, Jim, R-Mo. *	51	82	60	68.3
Voinovich, George, R-Ohio	51	54	67	59
Coleman, Norm, R-Minn.	50	59	50	53.8
Specter, Arlen, R-Pa.	49	43	49	47.5
Collins, Susan, R-Maine	48	45	46	47.2
DeWine, Mike, R-Ohio *	47	47	50	49
Nelson, Ben, D-Neb.	46	69	46	54.7
Snowe, Olympia, R-Maine	45	44	43	44.5
Chafee, Lincoln, R-R.I. *	44	37	40	41
Landrieu, Mary, D-La.	43	39	44	42.5
Nelson, Bill, D-Fla.	42	34	41	39.7
Lincoln, Blanche, D-Ark.	41	34	35	37.7
Conrad, Kent, D-N.D.	40	41	21	34.7
Baucus, Max, D-Mont.	39	33	28	33.8
Pryor, Mark, D-Ark.	38	40	42	40.5
Rockefeller, Jay IV, D-W.Va.	37	N/A	39	N/A
Clinton, Hillary Rodham, D-N.Y.	35	14	35	29.8
Johnson, Tim, D-S.D.	35	37	16	30.8
Inouye, Daniel, D-Hawaii	34	24	25	28.2
Byrd, Robert, D-W.Va.	33	47	6	29.5
Feinstein, Dianne, D-Calif.	29	29	8	23.5
Carper, Thomas, D-Del.	29	36	29	32.8
Stabenow, Debbie, D-Mich.	29	31	33	32
Dorgan, Byron, D-N.D.	29	42	2	25.7
Schumer, Charles, D-N.Y.	28	14	29	25.5
Salazar, Ken, D-Colo.	27	30	38	32.2
Lieberman, Joe, ID-Conn.	26	25	45	32.5
Akaka, Daniel, D-Hawaii	25	20	2	16.5
Levin, Carl, D-Mich.	22	0	16	14.7
Kohl, Herb, D-Wis.	22	32	29	29
Feingold, Russell, D-Wis.	22	12	8	15.5
Dayton, Mark, D-Minn. *	21	21	12	19
Reid, Harry, D-Nev.	18	27	16	21.8
Menendez, Robert, D-N.J.	18	14	15	17.3
Cantwell, Maria, D-Wash.	18	14	24	20.3
Jeffords, James, I-Vt. *	17	12	21	17.5
Dodd, Christopher, D-Conn.	13	5	26	16
Bayh, Evan, D-Ind.	13	28	35	26.7
Harkin, Tom, D-Iowa	13	0	6	8
Leahy, Patrick, D-Vt.	13	0	5	7.5
Boxer, Barbara, D-Calif.	0	7	0	5
Biden, Joseph, D-Del.	0	26	34	22.5
Durbin, Richard, D-Ill.	0	4	2	4.8
Obama, Barack, D-Ill.	0	21	12	14
Sarbanes, Paul, D-Md. *	0	5	16	10.3
Mikulski, Barbara, D-Md.	0	14	8	11.2
Kennedy, Edward, D-Mass.	0	11	0	6.3
Kerry, John, D-Mass.	0	8	26	14.3
Lautenberg, Frank, D-N.J.	0	8	29	15.7
Bingaman, Jeff, D-N.M.	0	23	12	14.5
Wyden, Ron, D-Ore.	0	14	16	14
Reed, Jack, D-R.I.	0	8	8	8.7
Murray, Patty, D-Wash.	0	0	23	10.7

^Sen. Jay Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., does not have a composite score due to missed votes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Representative...	...is more conservative than __% of the House on these issues:			Composite Score
Name Sort (alpha by surname)	Economic Sort	Social Sort	Foreign Sort	Conservative Sort
Norwood, Charlie, R-Ga.-9 *	100	90	73	89.5
Oxley, Michael, R-Ohio-4 *	100	60	83	81
Herger, Wally, R-Calif.-2	98	91	86	93.5
Mica, John, R-Fla.-7	98	85	73	88
Gingrey, Phil, R-Ga.-11	98	79	67	82.8
Ryun, Jim, R-Kan.-2 *	98	94	94	97.7
Blunt, Roy, R-Mo.-7	98	70	83	84
Pearce, Steve, R-N.M.-2	98	63	86	84
Boehner, John, R-Ohio-8	98	63	73	80
Goodlatte, Bob, R-Va.-6	98	92	86	94
Kolbe, Jim, R-Ariz.-8 *	97	42	57	65.7
Radanovich, George, R-Calif.-19	97	94	58	84.2
Linder, John, R-Ga.-7	97	74	94	89.8
Deal, Nathan, R-Ga.-10	97	91	73	87.3
Wilson, Joe, R-S.C.-2	97	91	86	92.8
Sessions, Pete, R-Texas-32	96	83	94	92
Cannon, Chris, R-Utah-3	96	57	94	83.7
Nunes, Devin, R-Calif.-21	94	70	85	83.5
Sodrel, Mike, R-Ind.-9 *	94	85	86	90.7
McCrery, Jim, R-La.-4	94	68	86	84.5
Knollenberg, Joe, R-Mich.-9	94	56	73	76.5
Wicker, Roger, R-Miss.-1	94	85	83	88.5
Rehberg, Denny, R-Mont.-AL	94	73	86	86.2
Lucas, Frank, R-Okla.-3	94	70	86	85.3
Brown, Henry, R-S.C.-1	94	79	73	84.7
Hastings, Doc, R-Wash.-4	94	63	86	83
Everett, Terry, R-Ala.-2	93	79	63	79
Thomas, Bill, R-Calif.-22 *	93	52	73	74.5
Miller, Gary, R-Calif.-42	93	94	73	89.3
Peterson, John, R-Pa.-5	93	73	70	79.2
Granger, Kay, R-Texas-12	93	66	73	79.5
Cubin, Barbara, R-Wyo.-AL	93	89	72	85.2
Beauprez, Bob, R-Colo.-7 *	91	73	94	87.5
Price, Tom, R-Ga.-6	91	74	73	81.8
Kline, John, R-Minn.-2	91	70	73	80.3
McHenry, Patrick, R-N.C.-10	91	94	73	88.7
Conaway, Mike, R-Texas-11	91	79	94	90
Marchant, Kenny, R-Texas-24	91	90	85	89.2
Carter, John, R-Texas-31	91	79	71	80.5
Miller, Jeff, R-Fla.-1	90	92	94	93.2
Shimkus, John, R-Ill.-19	90	85	73	85.2
Hoekstra, Pete, R-Mich.-2	90	92	63	82.8
Taylor, Charles, R-N.C.-11 *	90	90	59	80.2
Pitts, Joe, R-Pa.-16	90	84	57	77.3
Gallegly, Elton, R-Calif.-24	89	84	67	80.7
Musgrave, Marilyn, R-Colo.-4	89	92	73	86.7
Manzullo, Don, R-Ill.-16	89	68	94	84.7
Baker, Richard, R-La.-6	89	79	94	89.2
Coble, Howard, R-N.C.-6	89	85	59	79
Buyer, Steve, R-Ind.-4	88	85	84	86.7
Young, Don, R-Alaska-AL	86	48	85	73.7
McKeon, Buck, R-Calif.-25	86	79	83	83.7
Lewis, Jerry, R-Calif.-41	86	52	71	70.3
Calvert, Ken, R-Calif.-44	86	63	63	72
Crenshaw, Ander, R-Fla.-4	86	85	73	84
Westmoreland, Lynn, R-Ga.-8	86	92	94	92.3
Chocola, Chris, R-Ind.-2 *	86	79	86	86
Souder, Mark, R-Ind.-3	86	79	67	78.8
Latham, Tom, R-Iowa-4	86	74	73	80.2
Alexander, Rodney, R-La.-5	86	79	73	82
Cole, Tom, R-Okla.-4	86	70	73	78.7
Blackburn, Marsha, R-Tenn.-7	86	92	94	92.3
Putnam, Adam, R-Fla.-12	85	70	86	82
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, R-Fla.-21	85	46	73	70
Camp, Dave, R-Mich.-4	85	79	59	75.5
Bishop, Rob, R-Utah-1	85	78	84	82.7
Franks, Trent, R-Ariz.-2	84	94	73	86.3
Hyde, Henry, R-Ill.-6 *	84	77	67	76.3
Osborne, Tom, R-Neb.-3 *	84	61	63	70
Istook, Ernest, R-Okla.-5 *	84	78	94	86.3
DeLay, Tom, R-Texas-22 *	84	N/A	83	N/A
Boozman, John, R-Ark.-3	81	74	67	75
Lungren, Dan, R-Calif.-3	81	63	63	70.5
Doolittle, John, R-Calif.-4	81	94	86	89.8
Dreier, David, R-Calif.-26	81	58	73	73
Rohrabacher, Dana, R-Calif.-46	81	60	73	73.7
Tancredo, Tom, R-Colo.-6	81	85	51	73.3
Kingston, Jack, R-Ga.-1	81	90	94	89.5
Akin, Todd, R-Mo.-2	81	92	94	90.8
Terry, Lee, R-Neb.-2	81	74	86	82.7
Schmidt, Jean, R-Ohio-2	81	79	94	86.8
Thornberry, Mac, R-Texas-13	81	68	73	76.3
Cantor, Eric, R-Va.-7	81	85	73	82.5
Bachus, Spencer, R-Ala.-6	80	92	84	86
Hayworth, J.D., R-Ariz.-5 *	80	94	73	85
Foxx, Virginia, R-N.C.-5	80	94	73	85.2
Myrick, Sue, R-N.C.-9	80	94	86	89.2
Johnson, Sam, R-Texas-3	80	94	94	91.3
Burton, Dan, R-Ind.-5	79	85	94	87.2
Hunter, Duncan, R-Calif.-52	77	90	84	84
Diaz-Balart, Mario, R-Fla.-25	77	47	71	65.3
Simpson, Mike, R-Idaho-2	77	74	63	72.8
Pence, Mike, R-Ind.-6	77	70	94	81.7
Hostettler, John, R-Ind.-8 *	77	61	63	68.2
Lewis, Ron, R-Ky.-2	77	85	94	87.3
Rogers, Mike, R-Mich.-8	77	85	73	81
Shuster, Bill, R-Pa.-9	77	94	85	86.8
Neugebauer, Randy, R-Texas-19	77	94	94	90.7
Smith, Lamar, R-Texas-21	77	90	72	80.3
McMorris, Cathy, R-Wash.-5	77	94	86	88
Ryan, Paul, R-Wis.-1	77	66	57	67.2
Issa, Darrell, R-Calif.-49	76	79	84	80
Northup, Anne, R-Ky.-3 *	76	78	62	72.2
Sullivan, John, R-Okla.-1	76	94	86	87.7
Jenkins, Bill, R-Tenn.-1 *	76	94	94	90
Gohmert, Louie, R-Texas-1	75	94	59	77.7
Aderholt, Robert, R-Ala.-4	74	85	67	76.7
Pombo, Richard, R-Calif.-11 *	74	78	86	80.7
Weldon, Dave, R-Fla.-15	74	85	86	83.8
Gillmor, Paul, R-Ohio-5	74	70	67	71.2
Barrett, Gresham, R-S.C.-3	74	94	73	83.2
Barton, Joe, R-Texas-6	74	70	86	78.3
Brady, Kevin, R-Texas-8	74	85	72	78
Shadegg, John, R-Ariz.-3	73	68	67	70.2
Duncan, John, R-Tenn.-2	73	59	42	58.2
Bonner, Jo, R-Ala.-1	71	83	86	81.7
Royce, Ed, R-Calif.-40	71	85	59	73.2
Feeney, Tom, R-Fla.-24	71	74	59	69.3
Otter, Butch, R-Idaho-1 *	71	51	51	58.2
Tiahrt, Todd, R-Kan.-4	71	83	67	74.3
Rogers, Harold, R-Ky.-5	71	74	86	79.2
Gutknecht, Gil, R-Minn.-1 *	71	94	53	73.8
Graves, Sam, R-Mo.-6	71	84	94	84.3
Turner, Mike, R-Ohio-3	71	66	73	72
Tiberi, Pat, R-Ohio-12	71	79	51	68.3
Drake, Thelma, R-Va.-2	71	74	86	79.2
Forbes, Randy, R-Va.-4	71	73	67	71.2
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, R-Fla.-18	70	47	62	60
Miller, Candice, R-Mich.-10	70	63	94	76.7
Gibbons, Jim, R-Nev.-2 *	70	68	70	69.5
Hefley, Joel, R-Colo.-5 *	68	79	55	68.7
Davis, Geoff, R-Ky.-4	68	70	86	76.7
Hulshof, Kenny, R-Mo.-9	68	66	53	63.2
Reynolds, Tom, R-N.Y.-26	68	65	67	66.8
Hobson, David, R-Ohio-7	68	66	63	67
Wamp, Zach, R-Tenn.-3	68	74	94	80.2
Hall, Ralph, R-Texas-4	68	94	51	72.7
Bonilla, Henry, R-Texas-23 *	68	79	86	80
Rogers, Mike, R-Ala.-3	67	84	59	70.8
Campbell, John, R-Calif.-48	67	84	86	80.5
Boustany, Charles, R-La.-7	67	74	73	73.7
Porter, Jon, R-Nev.-3	67	53	59	60.5
Hayes, Robin, R-N.C.-8	67	85	73	77.5
Culberson, John, R-Texas-7	67	94	94	87.2
Harris, Katherine, R-Fla.-13 *	66	69	86	75.2
Keller, Ric, R-Fla.-8	65	94	71	78
Weller, Jerry, R-Ill.-11	65	74	63	68.2
Pickering, Chip, R-Miss.-3	65	70	86	74.2
Fortenberry, Jeff, R-Neb.-1	65	92	62	73.5
Chabot, Steve, R-Ohio-1	65	65	67	66.5
Walden, Greg, R-Ore.-2	65	60	73	68
Sherwood, Don, R-Pa.-10 *	65	72	86	74.5
Inglis, Bob, R-S.C.-4	65	55	53	58
Nussle, Jim, R-Iowa-1 *	64	77	57	66
Burgess, Michael, R-Texas-26	64	85	73	76.5
Renzi, Rick, R-Ariz.-1	63	63	57	61.7
Brown-Waite, Ginny, R-Fla.-5	63	84	73	75.2
Stearns, Cliff, R-Fla.-6	63	94	59	73.2
Bilirakis, Michael, R-Fla.-9 *	63	85	86	80
Biggert, Judy, R-Ill.-13	63	48	55	55.8
McCaul, Michael, R-Texas-10	63	79	67	70.8
Bono, Mary, R-Calif.-45	62	49	70	60.5
Pryce, Deborah, R-Ohio-15	62	56	73	65.7
Hart, Melissa, R-Pa.-4 *	62	74	67	68.8
Hensarling, Jeb, R-Texas-5	62	94	86	83.2
Young, Bill, R-Fla.-10	61	68	86	73.2
LaHood, Ray, R-Ill.-18	61	63	51	59.2
Jindal, Bobby, R-La.-1	61	92	63	73
Poe, Ted, R-Texas-2	61	74	63	66.7
Goode, Virgil, R-Va.-5	61	94	57	72
Mack, Connie, R-Fla.-14	60	56	73	64.8
Moran, Jerry, R-Kan.-1	60	59	43	54.3
McCotter, Thaddeus, R-Mich.-11	60	74	54	63.3
King, Peter, R-N.Y.-3	60	60	73	66.2
Shaw, Clay, R-Fla.-22 *	59	58	73	65.3
Ney, Bob, R-Ohio-18 *	59	69	59	62.5
English, Phil, R-Pa.-3	59	56	59	58.5
Murphy, Tim, R-Pa.-18	59	66	86	72
Flake, Jeff, R-Ariz.-6	58	47	47	51.2
King, Steve, R-Iowa-5	58	94	73	77.7
Kennedy, Mark, R-Minn.-6 *	58	70	67	65.2
Regula, Ralph, R-Ohio-16	58	63	73	66.7
Whitfield, Ed, R-Ky.-1	57	92	86	80.2
Garrett, Scott, R-N.J.-5	57	59	55	57.2
Sensenbrenner, Jim, R-Wis.-5	57	61	50	56.3
Petri, Tom, R-Wis.-6	57	61	51	57
Emerson, Jo Ann, R-Mo.-8	56	66	63	62.3
Fossella, Vito, R-N.Y.-13	56	55	73	63.2
LaTourette, Steven, R-Ohio-14	56	56	45	52.8
Dent, Charlie, R-Pa.-15	56	53	50	53.3
Green, Mark, R-Wis.-8 *	56	62	59	59.7
Foley, Mark, R-Fla.-16 *	55	55	53	54.7
Kuhl, Randy, R-N.Y.-29	55	66	73	66.7
Wolf, Frank, R-Va.-10	55	61	63	60.5
Davis, Tom, R-Va.-11	55	52	71	59.5
Capito, Shelley Moore, R-W.Va.-2	55	58	86	67.8
Schwarz, Joe, R-Mich.-7 *	54	54	63	58
Frelinghuysen, Rodney, R-N.J.-11	54	52	73	61.5
Walsh, James, R-N.Y.-25	54	50	63	56.3
Davis, Jo Ann, R-Va.-1	54	83	94	78
Kirk, Mark, R-Ill.-10	53	45	55	51.3
Bartlett, Roscoe, R-Md.-6	53	55	48	52.5
Ehlers, Vernon, R-Mich.-3	53	52	44	50
Reichert, Dave, R-Wash.-8	53	50	54	52.7
Gilchrest, Wayne, R-Md.-1	52	45	44	47
Upton, Fred, R-Mich.-6	52	58	49	53.3
Sweeney, John, R-N.Y.-20 *	52	53	62	55.8
McHugh, John, R-N.Y.-23	52	65	63	60.8
Boren, Dan, D-Okla.-2	52	50	50	50.8
Paul, Ron, R-Texas-14	51	44	20	39
Johnson, Nancy, R-Conn.-5 *	50	48	53	50.5
Castle, Michael, R-Del.-AL	50	46	57	51
Johnson, Tim, R-Ill.-15	50	51	59	54.2
Bradley, Jeb, R-N.H.-1 *	50	60	55	55.5
Bass, Charles, R-N.H.-2 *	50	49	55	51.8
Wilson, Heather, R-N.M.-1	50	50	54	51.7
Platts, Todd, R-Pa.-19	50	65	48	54.7
Saxton, Jim, R-N.J.-3	49	59	86	66.3
Ferguson, Michael, R-N.J.-7	49	53	55	52.8
Kelly, Sue, R-N.Y.-19 *	49	60	53	54.5
Weldon, Curt, R-Pa.-7 *	49	63	51	54.7
Melancon, Charlie, D-La.-3	48	48	46	47.8
Ramstad, Jim, R-Minn.-3	48	50	44	47.7
LoBiondo, Frank, R-N.J.-2	48	59	50	52.7
Smith, Chris, R-N.J.-4	48	53	46	49.2
Cuellar, Henry, D-Texas-28	48	43	55	49
Cramer, Bud, D-Ala.-5	47	48	49	48.3
Simmons, Rob, R-Conn.-2 *	47	44	49	46.8
Boehlert, Sherwood, R-N.Y.-24 *	47	47	63	53.2
Gerlach, Jim, R-Pa.-6	47	56	50	51.2
Marshall, Jim, D-Ga.-3	46	49	54	50
Barrow, John, D-Ga.-12	46	51	47	48.2
Fitzpatrick, Mike, R-Pa.-8 *	46	51	48	48.3
Davis, Lincoln, D-Tenn.-4	46	54	41	47.2
Shays, Christopher, R-Conn.-4	45	40	47	44.3
Leach, Jim, R-Iowa-2 *	45	44	26	38.5
Peterson, Collin, D-Minn.-7	45	55	46	49
Tanner, John, D-Tenn.-8	45	40	44	43.3
Edwards, Chet, D-Texas-17	45	43	48	45.7
Boyd, Allen, D-Fla.-2	44	42	45	43.7
Bean, Melissa, D-Ill.-8	44	38	43	42.2
Taylor, Gene, D-Miss.-4	44	58	47	50
Matheson, Jim, D-Utah-2	44	49	46	46.7
Berry, Marion, D-Ark.-1	43	45	30	39.7
Ross, Mike, D-Ark.-4	43	45	38	42.2
Costa, Jim, D-Calif.-20	43	38	41	40.8
Jefferson, William, D-La.-2	43	26	20	30.3
Salazar, John, D-Colo.-3	42	40	40	41
Bishop, Sanford, D-Ga.-2	42	41	51	45.2
Boswell, Leonard, D-Iowa-3	42	41	36	40
Jones, Walter, R-N.C.-3	42	54	42	46.5
Murtha, John, D-Pa.-12	42	37	40	40
Cardoza, Dennis, D-Calif.-18	41	37	43	40.3
Hinojosa, Ruben, D-Texas-15	41	36	36	37.8
Ortiz, Solomon, D-Texas-27	41	39	41	40.7
McIntyre, Mike, D-N.C.-7	40	45	43	42.8
Holden, Tim, D-Pa.-17	40	43	38	40.5
Herseth, Stephanie, D-S.D.-AL	40	40	41	40.8
Gordon, Bart, D-Tenn.-6	40	46	35	40.7
Reyes, Silvestre, D-Texas-16	40	35	30	35
Davis, Artur, D-Ala.-7	39	37	43	40
Thompson, Bennie, D-Miss.-2	39	32	28	33.3
Skelton, Ike, D-Mo.-4	39	46	46	43.7
Boucher, Rick, D-Va.-9	39	38	33	37
Mollohan, Alan, D-W.Va.-1	39	41	39	39.8
Scott, David, D-Ga.-13	38	37	35	36.8
Case, Ed, D-Hawaii-2 *	38	33	49	40.2
Costello, Jerry, D-Ill.-12	38	39	18	32.2
Ford, Harold, D-Tenn.-9 *	38	40	23	33.7
Kanjorski, Paul, D-Pa.-11	37	39	33	36.5
Gonzalez, Charles, D-Texas-20	37	27	28	31.2
Rush, Bobby, D-Ill.-1	36	18	10	21.8
Etheridge, Bob, D-N.C.-2	36	39	41	39
Strickland, Ted, D-Ohio-6 *	36	29	25	30.2
Green, Al, D-Texas-9	36	22	20	26.7
Green, Gene, D-Texas-29	36	35	39	36.8
Rahall, Nick, D-W.Va.-3	36	43	31	37.2
Abercrombie, Neil, D-Hawaii-1	35	0	5	14.5
Moore, Dennis, D-Kan.-3	35	30	39	35.2
Wynn, Albert, D-Md.-4	35	27	25	29
Chandler, Ben, D-Ky.-6	34	42	45	40.7
Meeks, Gregory, D-N.Y.-6	34	16	31	27.5
Butterfield, G.K., D-N.C.-1	34	31	26	30.8
Pomeroy, Earl, D-N.D.-AL	34	39	37	37
Larsen, Rick, D-Wash.-2	34	30	35	33.3
Michaud, Michael, D-Maine-2	33	29	28	30.3
Ruppersberger, Dutch, D-Md.-2	33	35	40	36.2
Towns, Edolphus, D-N.Y.-10	33	17	14	22.2
Brady, Robert, D-Pa.-1	33	18	28	26.8
Jackson Lee, Sheila, D-Texas-18	33	14	27	25
Baca, Joe, D-Calif.-43	32	32	27	30.7
Hooley, Darlene, D-Ore.-5	32	35	18	28.8
Dicks, Norm, D-Wash.-6	32	22	37	30.7
Meek, Kendrick, D-Fla.-17	31	29	37	32.5
Clay, William Lacy, D-Mo.-1	31	25	14	23.8
Crowley, Joseph, D-N.Y.-7	31	13	31	25.7
Kaptur, Marcy, D-Ohio-9	31	34	28	31.5
Cooper, Jim, D-Tenn.-5	31	39	38	36.3
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, D-Texas-30	31	19	14	22.2
Thompson, Mike, D-Calif.-1	30	31	10	24.3
Price, David, D-N.C.-4	30	20	20	24.2
Wu, David, D-Ore.-1	30	26	30	29
Baird, Brian, D-Wash.-3	30	30	31	30.7
Visclosky, Peter, D-Ind.-1	29	29	14	24.7
Doyle, Mike, D-Pa.-14	29	28	14	24.5
Sanchez, Loretta, D-Calif.-47	28	19	28	25.7
Lipinski, Daniel, D-Ill.-3	28	42	37	36
Maloney, Carolyn, D-N.Y.-14	28	13	28	23.7
Spratt, John, D-S.C.-5	28	44	42	38.3
Kind, Ron, D-Wis.-3	28	34	23	29
Pastor, Ed, D-Ariz.-4	27	3	23	18.2
Filner, Bob, D-Calif.-51	27	0	5	11.8
Sabo, Martin Olav, D-Minn.-5 *	27	19	5	17.8
Oberstar, James, D-Minn.-8	27	35	0	21.7
Blumenauer, Earl, D-Ore.-3	27	9	0	13
Schwartz, Allyson, D-Pa.-13	27	27	20	25.2
Cleaver, Emanuel, D-Mo.-5	26	25	23	24.8
Ackerman, Gary, D-N.Y.-5	26	3	23	18
Schiff, Adam, D-Calif.-29	23	23	20	23.2
Roybal-Allard, Lucille, D-Calif.-34	23	10	23	19.7
Udall, Mark, D-Colo.-2	23	32	20	26
Brown, Corrine, D-Fla.-3	23	25	26	25.3
Emanuel, Rahm, D-Ill.-5	23	23	31	26.7
Delahunt, Bill, D-Mass.-10	23	13	23	20.7
Stupak, Bart, D-Mich.-1	23	36	26	28.7
Israel, Steve, D-N.Y.-2	23	24	33	27.5
Watt, Melvin, D-N.C.-12	23	10	5	13.7
Miller, Brad, D-N.C.-13	23	34	33	30.5
Kucinich, Dennis, D-Ohio-10	23	3	10	13
Brown, Sherrod, D-Ohio-13 *	23	32	28	28.5
Ryan, Tim, D-Ohio-17	23	37	20	27.2
DeFazio, Peter, D-Ore.-4	23	36	10	23.8
Langevin, Jim, D-R.I.-2	23	31	34	29.7
Moran, Jim, D-Va.-8	23	25	20	23.7
Snyder, Vic, D-Ark.-2	22	36	39	32.5
Davis, Danny, D-Ill.-7	22	7	9	13
Berkley, Shelley, D-Nev.-1	22	26	37	28.7
Stark, Pete, D-Calif.-13	21	0	0	8.5
Millender-McDonald, Juanita, D-Calif.-37	21	12	9	14.2
Rothman, Steven, D-N.J.-9	21	19	13	18
Clyburn, James, D-S.C.-6	21	28	20	23.5
Smith, Adam, D-Wash.-9	21	34	34	29.8
Matsui, Doris, D-Calif.-5	18	13	10	14.7
Tauscher, Ellen, D-Calif.-10	18	23	26	23.2
Hastings, Alcee, D-Fla.-23	18	7	39	21.3
Meehan, Martin, D-Mass.-5	18	13	8	13.2
Carnahan, Russ, D-Mo.-3	18	27	30	25.7
McCarthy, Carolyn, D-N.Y.-4	18	30	28	26.2
Velazquez, Nydia, D-N.Y.-12	18	6	0	9.5
Serrano, Jose, D-N.Y.-16	18	3	10	10.8
Higgins, Brian, D-N.Y.-27	18	32	40	30.8
Tubbs Jones, Stephanie, D-Ohio-11	18	20	18	19.2
Scott, Bobby, D-Va.-3	18	12	18	16.8
Inslee, Jay, D-Wash.-1	18	22	14	19.2
Baldwin, Tammy, D-Wis.-2	18	8	0	10.2
Harman, Jane, D-Calif.-36	17	26	26	23.3
Andrews, Robert, D-N.J.-1	17	23	33	24.8
Owens, Major, D-N.Y.-11 *	17	4	0	8
Schultz, Debbie Wasserman, D-Fla.-20	16	16	31	21.5
Jackson, Jesse Jr., D-Ill.-2	16	6	5	9.8
Capuano, Michael, D-Mass.-8	16	11	14	14.5
Lynch, Stephen, D-Mass.-9	16	31	35	27.8
Conyers, John, D-Mich.-14	16	0	0	6.8
Udall, Tom, D-N.M.-3	16	15	10	14.3
Davis, Susan, D-Calif.-53	15	21	28	21.8
Lewis, John, D-Ga.-5	15	8	0	8.7
Fattah, Chaka, D-Pa.-2	15	18	5	13.3
Lofgren, Zoe, D-Calif.-16	14	10	14	13.3
DeGette, Diana, D-Colo.-1	14	15	5	12.2
McCollum, Betty, D-Minn.-4	14	16	5	12.3
Sherman, Brad, D-Calif.-27	11	18	25	18.8
Waters, Maxine, D-Calif.-35	11	4	10	8.8
Davis, Jim, D-Fla.-11 *	11	28	N/A	N/A
Allen, Tom, D-Maine-1	11	26	20	20
Hoyer, Steny, D-Md.-5	11	17	34	21.5
Cummings, Elijah, D-Md.-7	11	20	18	17.3
Van Hollen, Chris, D-Md.-8	11	21	14	16.5
Kildee, Dale, D-Mich.-5	11	32	18	21.3
Levin, Sander, D-Mich.-12	11	23	20	19.2
Kilpatrick, Carolyn Cheeks, D-Mich.-13	11	9	13	11.7
Dingell, John, D-Mich.-15	11	28	41	27.2
Payne, Donald, D-N.J.-10	11	5	0	6.3
Weiner, Anthony, D-N.Y.-9	11	21	26	20.2
Engel, Eliot, D-N.Y.-17	11	10	35	19.3
Obey, David, D-Wis.-7	11	33	10	19
McKinney, Cynthia, D-Ga.-4 *	10	12	13	12.2
Woolsey, Lynn, D-Calif.-6	9	0	0	4.5
Lee, Barbara, D-Calif.-9	9	0	0	4.5
Capps, Lois, D-Calif.-23	9	8	18	12.3
Waxman, Henry, D-Calif.-30	9	10	17	12.5
Sanchez, Linda, D-Calif.-39	9	0	14	8.7
Schakowsky, Jan, D-Ill.-9	9	5	5	7
Frank, Barney, D-Mass.-4	9	17	5	11.2
Hinchey, Maurice, D-N.Y.-22	9	14	18	14.3
Grijalva, Raul, D-Ariz.-7	6	0	0	3.8
Farr, Sam, D-Calif.-17	6	3	0	4.5
Napolitano, Grace, D-Calif.-38	6	16	9	11
Wexler, Robert, D-Fla.-19	6	17	36	20.2
Gutierrez, Luis, D-Ill.-4	6	6	9	7.7
Olver, John, D-Mass.-1	6	0	5	5.2
McGovern, Jim, D-Mass.-3	6	6	5	6.8
Tierney, John, D-Mass.-6	6	21	5	11.8
Markey, Edward, D-Mass.-7	6	3	0	4.5
Pallone, Frank, D-N.J.-6	6	8	23	13.3
Holt, Rush, D-N.J.-12	6	10	12	10
Sanders, Bernie, I-Vt.-AL *	6	20	12	13.5
Moore, Gwen, D-Wis.-4	6	7	13	9.2
Miller, George, D-Calif.-7	0	5	0	3.5
Pelosi, Nancy, D-Calif.-8	0	13	5	7.7
Lantos, Tom, D-Calif.-12	0	17	20	13.8
Eshoo, Anna, D-Calif.-14	0	12	14	10.2
Honda, Mike, D-Calif.-15	0	6	5	5.3
Berman, Howard, D-Calif.-28	0	9	30	14.2
Becerra, Xavier, D-Calif.-31	0	9	0	5
Solis, Hilda, D-Calif.-32	0	6	0	4
Watson, Diane, D-Calif.-33	0	0	0	2.3
Larson, John, D-Conn.-1	0	16	14	11.7
DeLauro, Rosa, D-Conn.-3	0	10	0	5.3
Carson, Julia, D-Ind.-7	0	7	14	8.7
Cardin, Ben, D-Md.-3 *	0	24	14	14.3
Neal, Richard, D-Mass.-2	0	15	5	8.3
Pascrell, Bill, D-N.J.-8	0	24	28	18.8
Bishop, Tim, D-N.Y.-1	0	29	17	16.5
Nadler, Jerrold, D-N.Y.-8	0	0	13	5.8
Rangel, Charles, D-N.Y.-15	0	3	14	7.3
Lowey, Nita, D-N.Y.-18	0	13	23	13.5
McNulty, Michael, D-N.Y.-21	0	33	18	18.3
Slaughter, Louise, D-N.Y.-28	0	12	10	8.7
Kennedy, Patrick, D-R.I.-1	0	18	35	18.7
Doggett, Lloyd, D-Texas-25	0	22	0	9.2
McDermott, Jim, D-Wash.-7	0	3	10	5.8
Bilbray, Brian, R-Calif.-50	N/A	73	N/A	N/A
Hastert, Dennis, R-Ill.-14	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Evans, Lane, D-Ill.-17 *	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sires, Albio, D-N.J.-13	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sekula-Gibbs, Shelley, R-Texas-22 *	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

.

.

.

. The Senate scores seem to make sense, but the House rankings, especially in economic policy, do not seem "correct"; it is as if they failed to take into account pork barrel spending. For example, I question why Jeff Flake only scored a 58 in economic conservatism. Their methodology is here.

[showme_the_Glory]

Notice how when the word conservative is used that Giuliani's name is nowhere to be found. Me too.

[hellbender]

It's strange that Brownback got a rather low conservative score on social issues. I thought he was known as a "social conservative." Maybe immigration was classified as a "social" issue, and his weakness there came out in his score.

[pissant]

Not only is Hunter the most conservative, his record is stellar for playing hardball with the libs and RINOS in congress. And doing it without a PC bone in his body.

While Romeny, McCain and Rudy stepped on each other to be the first to the microphone to condemn Ann Coulter's brilliant jab at PC and Edwards, Hunter was busy defending Gen. Peter pace in the USA Today for his comments on DADT.

[Kaslin]

Notice how when the word conservative is used that Giuliani's name is nowhere to be found. Me too.

Why should he be? He isn't in the House or Senate

[WalterSkinner]

Duncan Hunter Grassroots Campaign

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Join the "Duncan Hunter for 08'" ping list! FReepmail Sam Hunter if you have a question for Duncan Hunter! What are Sam Hunter's answers? Click here for the Weekly Answers Thread, posted every Friday!

Hunter as the most conservative of the group?

I'm shocked. /s

[Calpernia]

Well said.

I am a Duncan Hunter/JCPenney Conservative!

Veronica, you are big business/Saks, right?

[trisham]

Did you see how Ron Paul was ranked? So much for all those who have been touting his conservative credentials.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Huh, that is odd.

OP, any idea why the ACU's given Ron Paul a lifetime rating of only 82.3?

[showme_the_Glory]

Why should he be? He isn't in the House or Senate

silly me I didn't know you had to be in the house or senate to be classified a conservative. I thought anyone could be, if they choose. U Know who hasn't chosen the conservative has he?

[Kaslin]

Well if you noticed everyone listed is either in the House, or the Senate, so your point is moot

[WFTR]

It's strange that Brownback got a rather low conservative score on social issues. I thought he was known as a "social conservative." Maybe immigration was classified as a "social" issue, and his weakness there came out in his score.

Senator Brownback is also a borderline proponent of gun control. I suspect that he's the second or third worst Republican on this issue.

[WFTR]

I think there comes a point where "conservative" and "liberal" don't describe economic positions very well. To the hard-core free-traders, anything short of fully supporting free trade across the board is considered not conservative. To those who recognize that the ability to manufacture basic goods is a matter of national security, some amount of protectionism and certain insistence on fair trade is considered the more "conservative" position. To many people, allowing illegal immigrants into the country to drive down the cost of labor is a "conservative" position because they fit more under the definition of a consumer of labor than a producer. For others, allowing illegal immigration is a more liberal policy because doing so degrades national security.

Even on some social issues, the definitions are not entirely clear. Would you consider repealing an anti-sodomy law to be "liberal" or "conservative?" To some "conservatives," that repeal is liberal because sodomy is part of homosexual sex and therefore repeal of the law takes away a means for the government to discourage homosexuality. On the other hand, conservatives should believe in freedom even when some people will use their freedom wrongly. Repealing an anti-sodomy law means cutting back one more area of government power where the government may bother people who aren't bothering anyone else. Even if these "conservatives" don't want the government recognizing homosexual "marriages," we see no value in using government power against those who are homosexual just because they are homosexual.

Bill

[M203M4]

Just picking a few for comparison (JUST ON ECONOMICS):

Jeff Flake - 2006 economic conservative of 58.
ACU gives him a lifetime rating of 94.7.
2006 ACU rating of 100.
Difference= -42

Sensenbrenner - 2006 econ score of 57.
ACU lifetime rating of 88.0.
2006 ACU rating of 83.
Difference= -26

Ron Paul - 2006 econ score of 51.
ACU lifetime rating of 82.3.
2006 ACU rating of 76.
Difference= -25

SHADEGG - 2006 econ score of 73.
ACU lifetime rating of 98.1.
2006 ACU rating of 100.
Difference= -27

Hunter - 2006 econ score of 77.
ACU lifetime rating of 92.0.
2006 ACU rating of 88.
Difference= -11

KOLBE - 2006 econ score of 97.
ACU lifetime rating of 73.4.
2006 ACU rating of 60.
Difference= +37

Knollenberg - 2006 econ score of 94.
ACU lifetime rating of 87.5.
2006 ACU rating of 75.
Difference= +19

Thomas, Bill - 2006 econ score of 93.
ACU lifetime rating of 79.6.
2006 ACU rating of 72.
Difference= +21

Pelosi - 2006 econ score of 0 (LOL).
ACU lifetime rating of 3.1 (LOL).
2006 ACU rating of 8 (LOL).
Difference= -8

Talent, Jim - 2006 econ score of 51.
ACU lifetime rating of 92.8.
2006 ACU rating of 92.
Difference= -41

Thune - 2006 econ score of 72.
ACU lifetime rating of 87.0.
2006 ACU rating of 100.
Difference= -28

Inhofe - 2006 econ score of 80.
ACU lifetime rating of 97.5.
2006 ACU rating of 100.
Difference= -20

They are using a methodology that produces differences between -42 and +37. Compare the votes used (as well as the arbitrary weighting schemes):

Methodology for ACU Senate

Methodology for ACU House

Methodology for National Journal Senate

Methodology for National Journal House