THE LIBERAL TICKET: The Voting Records and Political Positions of John Kerry and John Edwards

American Conservative Union ^

[Reagan Man]

Senator John Kerry (D)
Massachusetts
Democrat, Years of Service: 19

ACU Ratings for Senator Kerry:
Year 2003	13
Year 2002	20
Lifetime	5

2003 Congressional Vote Breakdown:

• Judicial Nominations. Estrada Nomination (Roll Call 40)
  2003-03-06
  Throughout the 2003 session, Senate Democrats filibustered numerous presidential nominations to the U.S. Courts of Appeal, essentially establishing a requirement that any nominee be approved by a supermajority of 60 votes in the 100 vote Senate, rather than the simple majority required by the Constitution. This particular vote was on the nomination of Miguel Estrada, but similar votes were held on the nominations of Priscilla Owen, William Pryor, Charles Pickering, and Janice Brown. The results were the same in every case: a majority voted to move the nominations to final passage, but the supermajority of 60 votes was not attained. In this case, the vote was 55-44, on 6 March 2003. ACU supported this nomination and believes that the filibuster of judicial nominations compromises the Senate’s duty to "advise and consent."
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 55-44
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Abortion Decision Affirmed. S. 3 (Roll Call 48)
  2003-03-12
  This resolution affirmed that the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision legalizing abortion was correct. ACU believes the original decision in Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. ACU opposed this resolution. It passed 52-46 on 12 March 2003
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 52-46
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• “Death Tax” Repeal. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 62)
  2003-03-20
  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.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 51-48
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Tax Cut Reduction. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 95)
  2003-03-25
  This substitute to the president’s budget would have substantially reduced the Bush tax cuts and shifted spending priorities to more liberal social programs. ACU opposed the substitute. It failed by a vote of 42-57 on 25 March 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 42-57
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Budget Resolution. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 134)
  2003-04-11
  The Senate adopted final spending and revenue targets for fiscal year 2004. This budget contained a total of $550 billion in tax cuts over a ten-year period. ACU supported this budget as the best possible under the circumstances. It was adopted 50-50, with the vice-president casting the tie-breaking vote on 11 April 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 50-50
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Marriage Penalty. S. 1054 (Roll Call 155)
  2003-05-15
  This measure was a trade-off between general tax reductions and an accelerated phase-out of the Marriage Penalty. ACU rejected such a trade-off and opposed the amendment. It failed by a vote of 49-51 on 15 May 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 49-51
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Taxes on Investment. S. 1054 (Roll Call 171)
  2003-05-15
  This amendment would phase out the tax on dividend income. Taxing dividends is a form of double taxation that discourages investment. ACU supported this amendment. It was adopted by a vote of 50-50, with the vice-president casting a tie-breaking vote on 15 May 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 50-50
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Tax Cuts. HR 2 (Roll Call 179)
  2003-05-15
  This bill reduced taxes by $350 billion over 11 years, phasing out dividend taxation and accelerating tax rate reductions already in place. While not strong enough, this bill set up passage of a stronger House-Senate conference report with more tax relie
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 51-49
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Nuclear Weapons Development. S. 1050 (Roll Call 186)
  2003-05-20
  This amendment would have prohibited research into low-yield nuclear weapons. ACU believes such research is vital to national defense and opposed the amendment. It was defeated 51-43 on 20 May 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 51-42
  
  This Senator voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Military Base Closings. HR 1588 (Roll Call 205)
  2003-06-04
  This amendment would have canceled the next round of military base closings. ACU believes our military must be as “lean and mean” as possible, and that closing some bases can contribute to a strong defense. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated by a vote of 42-53 on 4 June 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 42-53
  
  This Senator voted: In Support of ACU
  
  

• Prescription Drug Benefit Means Testing. S. 1 (Roll Call 261)
  2003-06-26
  This amendment would have barred a cost-saving means test for new benefits in the Medicare prescription drug bill. ACU supported means testing and opposed this amendment. It failed 38-59 on 26 June 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 38-59
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Malpractice Reform. S. 11 (Roll Call 264)
  2003-07-09
  This bill would have limited expensive medical malpractice lawsuits that are driving up insurance costs and driving doctors out of practice. ACU supported the bill. Although the vote to cut off debate received a majority 49-48 on 9 July 2003, 60 votes are required to end debate under Senate rules. The measure failed.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 49-48
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Taxpayer Support for Abortion. S. 925 (Roll Call 267)
  2003-07-09
  This amendment would have repealed President Reagan’s “Mexico City policy,” under which the U.S. refuses to fund international family planning organizations that promote abortion. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated by a vote of 43-53 on 9 July 20
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 43-53
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Higher Mileage Requirements. S. 14 (Roll Call 309)
  2003-07-29
  This amendment would have required automobile manufacturers to increase the mileage of their cars. Higher mileage requirements increase price, and make cars smaller and less safe. ACU opposed the amendment. It failed 32-65 on 29 July 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 32-65
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Overtime Rules Reform. HR 2660 (Roll Call 334)
  2003-09-10
  This amendment would have stopped the U.S. Department of Labor from issuing new, more flexible rules for overtime pay to reflect changing employee desires and workplace conditions. ACU supported the new rules and opposed this amendment. It was adopted 54-45 on 10 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 54-45
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Broadcasting Controls. S. J. Res. 17 (Roll Call 348)
  2003-09-16
  This amendment expressed disapproval for a Federal Communications Commission rule that would have allowed more freedom in broadcast media ownership. There are more media outlets today than ever before and government should not control media ownership. ACU opposed this resolution. It passed 55-40 on 16 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 55-40
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Election Law. HR 2989 (Roll Call 409)
  2003-10-23
  This amendment would increase federal control over local and state elections. ACU opposed this trend toward federalizing local elections. The amendment was adopted 63-31 on 23 October 2003
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 63-31
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Global Warming. S. 139 (Roll Call 420)
  2003-10-30
  ) This measure would have forced the United States into compliance with the Kyoto Treaty that was never ratified by the Senate. It would have required massive, expensive reductions in carbon dioxide. Science does not support Kyoto and its impact on the U.S. economy would be devastating. ACU opposed the measure. It was rejected 43-55 on 30 October 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 43-55
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. HR 1 (Roll Call 459)
  2003-11-25
  This so-called Medicare “reform” marked the greatest expansion of a federal program in almost 40 years. The $400 billion measure will add trillions to the un-funded liability of the Medicare program, provides only the illusion of patient choice, and will cause millions of seniors to lose their current insurance coverage. The bill did contain a “health savings account” provision favored by ACU, but on balance this did not justify the bill’s overall lack of fiscal responsibility. ACU opposed this bill so strongly that the vote is double-weighted in this rating. It passed 54-44 on 25 November 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 54-44
  
  This Senator voted: Absent

  

  See all of John Kerry's political positions at On The Issues

Senator John Edwards (D)
North Carolina
Democrat, Years of Service: 5

ACU Ratings for Senator Edwards:
Year 2003	13
Year 2002	30
Lifetime	12

2003 Congressional Vote Breakdown:

• Judicial Nominations. Estrada Nomination (Roll Call 40)
  2003-03-06
  Throughout the 2003 session, Senate Democrats filibustered numerous presidential nominations to the U.S. Courts of Appeal, essentially establishing a requirement that any nominee be approved by a supermajority of 60 votes in the 100 vote Senate, rather than the simple majority required by the Constitution. This particular vote was on the nomination of Miguel Estrada, but similar votes were held on the nominations of Priscilla Owen, William Pryor, Charles Pickering, and Janice Brown. The results were the same in every case: a majority voted to move the nominations to final passage, but the supermajority of 60 votes was not attained. In this case, the vote was 55-44, on 6 March 2003. ACU supported this nomination and believes that the filibuster of judicial nominations compromises the Senate’s duty to "advise and consent."
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 55-44
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Abortion Decision Affirmed. S. 3 (Roll Call 48)
  2003-03-12
  This resolution affirmed that the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision legalizing abortion was correct. ACU believes the original decision in Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. ACU opposed this resolution. It passed 52-46 on 12 March 2003
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 52-46
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• “Death Tax” Repeal. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 62)
  2003-03-20
  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.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 51-48
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Tax Cut Reduction. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 95)
  2003-03-25
  This substitute to the president’s budget would have substantially reduced the Bush tax cuts and shifted spending priorities to more liberal social programs. ACU opposed the substitute. It failed by a vote of 42-57 on 25 March 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 42-57
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Budget Resolution. S. Con. Res. 23 (Roll Call 134)
  2003-04-11
  The Senate adopted final spending and revenue targets for fiscal year 2004. This budget contained a total of $550 billion in tax cuts over a ten-year period. ACU supported this budget as the best possible under the circumstances. It was adopted 50-50, with the vice-president casting the tie-breaking vote on 11 April 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 50-50
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Marriage Penalty. S. 1054 (Roll Call 155)
  2003-05-15
  This measure was a trade-off between general tax reductions and an accelerated phase-out of the Marriage Penalty. ACU rejected such a trade-off and opposed the amendment. It failed by a vote of 49-51 on 15 May 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 49-51
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Taxes on Investment. S. 1054 (Roll Call 171)
  2003-05-15
  This amendment would phase out the tax on dividend income. Taxing dividends is a form of double taxation that discourages investment. ACU supported this amendment. It was adopted by a vote of 50-50, with the vice-president casting a tie-breaking vote on 15 May 2003.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 50-50
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Tax Cuts. HR 2 (Roll Call 179)
  2003-05-15
  This bill reduced taxes by $350 billion over 11 years, phasing out dividend taxation and accelerating tax rate reductions already in place. While not strong enough, this bill set up passage of a stronger House-Senate conference report with more tax relie
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 51-49
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Nuclear Weapons Development. S. 1050 (Roll Call 186)
  2003-05-20
  This amendment would have prohibited research into low-yield nuclear weapons. ACU believes such research is vital to national defense and opposed the amendment. It was defeated 51-43 on 20 May 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 51-42
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Military Base Closings. HR 1588 (Roll Call 205)
  2003-06-04
  This amendment would have canceled the next round of military base closings. ACU believes our military must be as “lean and mean” as possible, and that closing some bases can contribute to a strong defense. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated by a vote of 42-53 on 4 June 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 42-53
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Prescription Drug Benefit Means Testing. S. 1 (Roll Call 261)
  2003-06-26
  This amendment would have barred a cost-saving means test for new benefits in the Medicare prescription drug bill. ACU supported means testing and opposed this amendment. It failed 38-59 on 26 June 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 38-59
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Malpractice Reform. S. 11 (Roll Call 264)
  2003-07-09
  This bill would have limited expensive medical malpractice lawsuits that are driving up insurance costs and driving doctors out of practice. ACU supported the bill. Although the vote to cut off debate received a majority 49-48 on 9 July 2003, 60 votes are required to end debate under Senate rules. The measure failed.
  ACU supported this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 49-48
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Taxpayer Support for Abortion. S. 925 (Roll Call 267)
  2003-07-09
  This amendment would have repealed President Reagan’s “Mexico City policy,” under which the U.S. refuses to fund international family planning organizations that promote abortion. ACU opposed the amendment. It was defeated by a vote of 43-53 on 9 July 20
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 43-53
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Higher Mileage Requirements. S. 14 (Roll Call 309)
  2003-07-29
  This amendment would have required automobile manufacturers to increase the mileage of their cars. Higher mileage requirements increase price, and make cars smaller and less safe. ACU opposed the amendment. It failed 32-65 on 29 July 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 32-65
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Overtime Rules Reform. HR 2660 (Roll Call 334)
  2003-09-10
  This amendment would have stopped the U.S. Department of Labor from issuing new, more flexible rules for overtime pay to reflect changing employee desires and workplace conditions. ACU supported the new rules and opposed this amendment. It was adopted 54-45 on 10 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 54-45
  
  This Senator voted: In Opposition of ACU
  
  

• Broadcasting Controls. S. J. Res. 17 (Roll Call 348)
  2003-09-16
  This amendment expressed disapproval for a Federal Communications Commission rule that would have allowed more freedom in broadcast media ownership. There are more media outlets today than ever before and government should not control media ownership. ACU opposed this resolution. It passed 55-40 on 16 September 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 55-40
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Election Law. HR 2989 (Roll Call 409)
  2003-10-23
  This amendment would increase federal control over local and state elections. ACU opposed this trend toward federalizing local elections. The amendment was adopted 63-31 on 23 October 2003
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 63-31
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Global Warming. S. 139 (Roll Call 420)
  2003-10-30
  ) This measure would have forced the United States into compliance with the Kyoto Treaty that was never ratified by the Senate. It would have required massive, expensive reductions in carbon dioxide. Science does not support Kyoto and its impact on the U.S. economy would be devastating. ACU opposed the measure. It was rejected 43-55 on 30 October 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: defeated
  The vote was: 43-55
  
  This Senator voted: Absent
  
  

• Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. HR 1 (Roll Call 459)
  2003-11-25
  This so-called Medicare “reform” marked the greatest expansion of a federal program in almost 40 years. The $400 billion measure will add trillions to the un-funded liability of the Medicare program, provides only the illusion of patient choice, and will cause millions of seniors to lose their current insurance coverage. The bill did contain a “health savings account” provision favored by ACU, but on balance this did not justify the bill’s overall lack of fiscal responsibility. ACU opposed this bill so strongly that the vote is double-weighted in this rating. It passed 54-44 on 25 November 2003.
  ACU opposed this bill.

  This bill was: passed
  The vote was: 54-44
  
  This Senator voted: In Support of ACU

  

  See all of John Edwards political positions at On The Issues

[hoosiermama]

Think we all need to refer to the "D"s as the liberal party from now on......FOrget democratic...just say liberal.

[TexasGreg]

We're in trouble. If this team gets elected ... oh, Lord ... what a nightmare.

[Reagan Man]

"The anti-war activist and the trial lawyer".
Rush Limbaugh 7-6-2004

[cake_crumb]

Edwards' campaign managers opined the Jr senator lost the primaries because voters don't know him. Kerry's campaign managers still complain he's unpopular because voters don't know him, and he's been a politician for twenty years.

Kerry-Edwards : A Force of None.

[jmaroneps37]

lurch and opie WOW I LOVE IT!!!!
opie quit the senate race because he couldn't win that seat. Now the evil donkey thinks opie will be their salvation ha ha ha ha ha.
Wait til Cheney and opie sit down over a table to talk issues.I love it!

[Spok]

Another of a long list of questions reporters won't ask John Kerry or John Edwards: If they think they'll win, why don't they resign from the Senate?

[TXBSAFH]

The rat have found a ticket that is to the left of Leon Trotsky.

[Reagan Man]

Edwards does bring some life to the stagnant Kerry campaign. He is a pretty boy too. But the main reason Kerry chose Edwards was simple. He wanted someone who wouldn't over shadow him during the remainder of the general election campaign. Kerry also wanted someone who would advance the liberal agenda of the Democratic Party.

If the Bush reelection campaign and the RNC do their job and if the President and the VP step up and do their job, in the end, the Bush-Cheney ticket will beat Kerry-Edwards ticket.

[Reagan Man]

Dick Cheney handed Joe Lieberman his head in the 2000 VP debate. I think Cheney will overwhelm Edwrads this time around. And I think the Veep is looking forward to taking on John Edwards.

[cake_crumb]

Yep, Edwards is younger and better looking than Kerry, and has more personality: he's only slightly more interesting than watching grass grow. He has no list of real accomplishments, he's a first term elected politician with no experience (campaign trail, dontcha know) who is disliked by his own constituents.

He has no policy experience, either foreign OR domestic...just ask his constituents. All Edwards really is is an overpriviliged, millionaire trial lawer looking for some excitement...just like a lot of OTHER "Johns" in this country.

I can see these two on the campaign trail:

John: "Hi, I'm John Kerry and I'm running for president. If elected, I promise to bring jobs back into this country, stop Benedict Arnold companies from shipping American jobs overseas and DOUBLE THEIR TAXES!" (applause)

John: "Hi, I'm John Edwards and running for vice president! If my running mate is elected president, I promise to sue the pants off all those rich American companies because they hurt the environment, don't pay enough taxes and SHOULD PAY EVERYONE UNION RATE!" (applause)

Just imagine the national reaction from the business community.

[Conservative Iowan]

With their absolute support for abortion, I'd rather call them what Mark Shea calls them on his blog, the Evil Party.

[PRO 1]

As FreeRepublic always is, it can be counted on for postings that are informitive.

HOWEVER

It would be a better example of that informed intellect if posters would refrain from quoting the ACU as a source of credibility. Their formula for rating "conservatism" is flawed in that they observe a small fraction of a legislator's voting record and generate a "conservatism" rating. I liken it to looking at the subject through a toilet paper tube.

Case in point:

How in the H... E... dbl hockey stick did they ever get away with giving a rating of "conservative" to John McJerkoff, you know the back stabbing loon Senator from Arizona? The 'Rats know he's not as the example of his consideration by the 'Rats for the VP slot clearly indicates.

Since then I've placed little credibility in the ratings offered by the ACU.

[cake_crumb]

I agree with you about the ACU's off the wall rating of Edwards' hero, John McStain, but also agree with the ACUs position on most of the legislation presented.

Things I didn't see or missed in the article:

1. Edwards voted to force DC to pay for clean needles for the resident druggies.

2. He voted for sending troops to Iraq but against funding them (sound familiar?)

3. In 2002 budget bill, Medicare was allotted an increase of $153 billion over 10 years for reform and development of a prescription drug plan to ensure affordable prescription drugs for seniors. No prescription drug plan was passed in 2002, but not for lack of trying by congressional Republicans. Edwards voted against all of them, including

A: McConnel (R,KY) Amdt. 4326; (Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2002 ) To provide for health care liability reform.

B: McConnell (R, KY) Amdt. 4200; (Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2002 ) to modify attorney practices relating to clients.

C: McConnell (R,KY) Amdt. No. 4175; To provide for certification of financial reports by labor organizations and to improve quality and transparency in financial reporting and independent audits and accounting services for labor organizations. (this had a large section devoted to hospitals and HMOs)

[Reagan Man]

Everything considered, the ACU rating system is very valid. Anyone who gets an 85 rating and above is considered a solid conservative. John McCain's lifetime rating is currently at 84. Having said that, I do consider McCain a conservative Republican with moderate views on some issues. McCain is also a mavarick with a big mouth and that style many folks don't care for. Myself included.

[Taxman]

Flush the Johns!

[kabar]

Yep, Edwards is younger and better looking than Kerry, and has more personality: he's only slightly more interesting than watching grass grow.

And remember, Edwards won only one primary against Kerry. What does that say about Mr. Excitement (aka John Edwards)?