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Obama's 'Present' Voting Called Into Question by Palin, Others
DiversityInc ^ | 5 Sep | Kevin Canessa, Jr.

Posted on 09/06/2008 7:38:27 AM PDT by flowerplough

There's a little-known parliamentary vote politicians can use to avoid voting for or against a measure. It's called voting "present," and it is equivalent to what local governments often call "abstaining" from a vote. While he was in the Illinois State Senate, Democratic presidential-candidate Barack Obama voted "present" 130 times, according to a 2007 article in The New York Times.

Why would a politician vote "present"? It depends.

According to the article, Obama voted "present" on several pieces of legislation that he felt had provisions he could neither support nor reject. He also voted "present" on legislation he believed was formed unconstitutionally. So rather than voting completely in favor of a measure--or voting to reject it--he instead chose to vote "present," so as not to affect the outcome of the final vote.

( ... )

His opponents say the "present" votes demonstrate a reluctance to make tough decisions--a trait he'll need if he's elected president.

(Excerpt) Read more at diversityinc.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: coward; mccainpalin; obama; obamabiden; obamarecord; present
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A Diversi-loonie ripoff of others' work - they even link to the "full story" in the New York el Tiempos and Chicago Tribune. And good luck to those who try to make sense out of that last sentence excerpted. I think I got what the author meant, but it took a few tries.
1 posted on 09/06/2008 7:38:27 AM PDT by flowerplough
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To: flowerplough

This is the equivalent of “everybody lies about sex.”


2 posted on 09/06/2008 7:39:29 AM PDT by kabar (.)
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To: flowerplough

Why would a politician vote “present”? It depends.

Like on his/her intelligence and effort to learn about the issues?


3 posted on 09/06/2008 7:41:06 AM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: flowerplough
Obama voted "present" 130 times

Out of how many votes? The statistic means little without context.

4 posted on 09/06/2008 7:41:31 AM PDT by ctdonath2 (The average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. - Ratatouille)
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To: flowerplough
Obama is like John Kerry - except he could never make up his mind!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

5 posted on 09/06/2008 7:42:48 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: A_Former_Democrat
A legislator doesn't have to make a decision. I'm surprised Hillary overlooked this one during the primaries. I think you could make a commercial about how Obama avoided assembling a record that might be used against someday. He's really an empty suit!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

6 posted on 09/06/2008 7:44:55 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: flowerplough
Soros forgot to tell IT how to vote.:)
7 posted on 09/06/2008 7:45:13 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto!)
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To: ctdonath2
In fact, in the article, his aides explain that since he cast votes on more than 4,000 measures, the 130 "present" votes represent a small percentage.

Yet the article also reveals that on 36 occasions, Obama was the only member of the state senate to vote "present."

8 posted on 09/06/2008 7:46:38 AM PDT by Pontiac (Your message here.)
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To: goldstategop

“how Obama avoided assembling a record that might be used against hiim someday”

That’s an excellent point. Considering this clown is a career politician who’s never contributed but always sought the power of the limelight, why would he stick his skinny neck out to demonstrate his lack of intellect and expose his leftist agenda?


9 posted on 09/06/2008 7:49:50 AM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: ctdonath2
A Leader should never vote "Present" on anything.

That is quite possibly the most cowardly thing that a person could do when faced with a decision.

Just imagine if President Reagan had voted "Present" after the Libyans conducted terrorist operations against our Soldiers in Berlin.

Obama is not only a liar and a racist, but he is a COWARD as well.

10 posted on 09/06/2008 7:50:43 AM PDT by Prole (Please pray for the families of Chris and Channon. May God always watch over them.)
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To: flowerplough

This article votes “present”.


11 posted on 09/06/2008 7:50:54 AM PDT by Egon (The difference between Theory and Practice: In Theory, there is no difference.)
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To: flowerplough
Have there been any articles that compared Obama's present voting record versus the average for IL legislators? I'm curious if he was the worst at this practice, or one of the worst, or where his present voting record is compared to others.

Even if there were a lot of others voting present, and Obama wasn't the worst offender, I still think that the issue is damaging for him, but if he can be statistically shown to have been the worst, or near worst, present voter, it makes the issue that much more of a club to whup him upside his mush-filled head.

12 posted on 09/06/2008 7:53:24 AM PDT by SeafoodGumbo
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To: flowerplough

The article (and many others) mentions “aides” and their explanation of things. Why does someone as omnipotent as he need so many aides and advisors? I want a president who can make decisions on his/her own and think for his/her self on personal questions.


13 posted on 09/06/2008 7:54:00 AM PDT by bonnieblue4me
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To: goldstategop

I heard that Obama said yesterday, “I used to think that I was undecided, but now, I’m just not sure!” /joke


14 posted on 09/06/2008 7:54:19 AM PDT by i_dont_chat (The elephant is dancing for the lady from Alaska)
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To: Prole

They should NOT allow them to vote “present”. We don’t vote people into office to not take a side. It’s a diservice to The People. Take a freak’n stand.


15 posted on 09/06/2008 7:57:07 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: ctdonath2

130 out of 4000. That’s about 3%.


16 posted on 09/06/2008 7:59:03 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: flowerplough

In the midst of an old article (circa 2000) on Chicago politics, here’s what voting “present” means to Obama in his own words:

The “present” votes, Obama speculates, were cast by Republicans “who were embarrassed, who knew this was something they should be voting,” but didn’t want to defy party leaders.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/obama/000317/


17 posted on 09/06/2008 7:59:37 AM PDT by Velveeta
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To: flowerplough

The NYT article says voting “present” is a peculiar but acceptable vote in Illinois and that BHO did nothing more or different than his fellow Senators.
What they do not say, and something that is VERY important, is how many others with his few years in that body, have that many “present” votes on their record. Is that an aberration or average?

Anyone know?


18 posted on 09/06/2008 8:02:01 AM PDT by louie2
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To: Pontiac

Thanks for providing the present context, Pontiac. One of the best work cars I ever owned was one of yours- a ‘96 Grand Am with V-6 and automatic trans. Lasted for 200,000 miles, killed several stupid whitetail deer, and would give 30 mpg if babied.


19 posted on 09/06/2008 8:03:10 AM PDT by flowerplough ("The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.")
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To: flowerplough
The vote 'present' shows indifference. If a bill doesn't have what you like in it, you vote against it, EVEN IF IT CONTAINS ITEMS YOU SUPPORT. How many times have we seen this on the national stage?

The fundamental reason for having elected officials is to make the tough decisions.

20 posted on 09/06/2008 8:04:10 AM PDT by Pistolshot (Palin has run a state, city, and a business. NObama has only run his mouth.)
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