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 ...
This is the equivalent of “everybody lies about sex.”
Why would a politician vote “present”? It depends.
Like on his/her intelligence and effort to learn about the issues?
Out of how many votes? The statistic means little without context.
"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
"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
Yet the article also reveals that on 36 occasions, Obama was the only member of the state senate to vote "present."
“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?
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.
This article votes “present”.
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.
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.
I heard that Obama said yesterday, “I used to think that I was undecided, but now, I’m just not sure!” /joke
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.
130 out of 4000. That’s about 3%.
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/
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?
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.
The fundamental reason for having elected officials is to make the tough decisions.
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