HRC, Obama, Dodd and Biden all absent on the vote to roll back

[WCGreen]

the ATM...

I know it really wouldn't have made that much difference since the Dems don't have enough votes to beat the cloture rules that Republicans are sure to put in place...

But still, it looks real bad...



"President Bush and lawmakers of both parties all proclaim that middle-class taxpayers should be spared a surprise bill. But their inability to agree on exactly how to limit that tax is threatening to throw filing season into chaos and cost millions of Americans more in income taxes while fueling a political blame game over just who is responsible.

The dispute goes to the heart of a Democratic pledge to pay for any tax cuts or offset new spending rather than add to the federal deficit. In a preview of tax showdowns to come, the fight pits the Democratic stance against a Republican refusal to raise taxes on one group as a way of cutting them for another or to offset the $50 billion cost of limiting the reach of the alternative minimum tax, since, the Republicans argue, it was never meant to collect so much revenue in the first place.

“The effort to ‘pay for’ the A.M.T. is highly offensive to members of my side of the aisle,” Senator McConnell said on Wednesday.

Democrats say the maneuvering by Mr. McConnell and his allies leaves them wondering if Republicans truly want speedy enactment of relief from the tax. In the Democratic view, the Republican position that it should simply be set aside without a corresponding replacement of revenue is irresponsible.

“Not only do I think that it is an intellectually bankrupt policy, I think it is an immoral policy,” said the House majority leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/washington/05cnd-tax.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1196968001-hg3BY47zZJtl9LZzIA6oSA

This is all about the dems being responsible and the GOP wanting to continue to borrow and spend this country into bankruptcy...

[MADem]

1. Well, that ain't good. I do agree with you that even symbolic efforts matter. NT

[Horse with no Name]

3. Especially when they can use the double-edged sword in their favor

1. I didn't vote for it.
2. I wasn't there to vote for it because of another obligation, but HAD I been there I would have voted (insert appropriate yay or nay--whichever the wind is blowing--vote).

There is a reason this stuff is on the record.

[MADem]

4. I agree with you. A missed opportunity to take a campaign in a new direction, too. NT

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Campaigning should not take precedence over the jobs they were elected to do...

VERY BAD...

[aquart]

5. I'm guessing if it would have made a difference

They would have chartered a jet to get there.

Basically, they would have been wasting your donations if they had gone just for the photo op.

And that money is too hard won to toss away in a long campaign like this.

[AndyA]

7. They are being paid by the American taxpayers to be there to vote, are they not?

So why aren't they doing their jobs? Is campaign money more important than tax dollars? Campaigning is more important to them than voting, it would seem. Perhaps in years past this was more tolerable, but in today's political climate, it's unacceptable.

[Clark2008]

12. Um... John Edwards missed 43 percent of Senate votes upon

suspending his campaign - it was worse while he was running.

Just wanted you to know that.

[WCGreen]

9. I guess that means employers should willingly foot the bill for employees

to go out looking for a new job...

It just looks bad and part of campaigning is doing your job...

[ChiciB1]

10. Can't "Buy" That Statement! n/t

[gateley]

6. There was a poll on DU recently asking if your candidate misses a vote

should s/he issue a statement. I think they should. When they don't, it's left up to conjecture.

There's also an important farm vote coming up tomorrow that I'm concerned they won't be there for (which probably wouldn't go down too well in Iowa).

[ChiciB1]

8. "Could" Have Made A Difference If They Were Willing To Fight Back

and actually "voice" what they feel out loud! Since they have chosen to this, it HAS to be for one reason only. IF YOU DON'T VOTE, you don't have to defend reasons regarding it!! Just a "dodge" of sorts!!

Of course they may not have the votes, but FIGHTING for what's correct means a lot! Being absent is simply that, BEING ABSENT!! Kind of spineless IMO. These types of actions just send a further message to The Idiot, Decider that he CAN do whatever he wants whenever he wants!!

And as long as we sit by and support this, we also are to blame! Making hard decisions should be required if you want to LEAD!! Even if it would get vetoed... sending it back over and over again shows "something" at the very least!!

[Occam Bandage]

11. I'm disappointed. I'd like to see them continue to fight in Congress, not to just show up

from time to time.

[Kucinich4America]

13. As I said in the last thread concerning missing votes

This is an act of political cowardice. If you can't support the middle class, why the FUCK should I support you, senators?

If this country doesn't start making the goddamn rich parasites PAY their fair share of taxes, there won't BE a country much longer.

[ronnykmarshall]

14. How dare that she devil Hillary not show up!!!!!

I'm sure the others had a very good reason to be there.