Have you checked Kerry's senate voting record???

[devilgrrl]

This is the question asked to me by my obnoxious Step-Father (I still love him dearly). Cheney's been parroting the same talking point, I'm assuming that's where he picked it up. It's been discussed here but in all honesty, I'm not attuned to the specifics of the allegations. However, I'm led to believe that there's more that meets the eye and - as always - this smear has been effectively debunked. Can anyone direct me to more info?

BTW, have I mentioned how much I :loveya: you people? Have I? :grouphug:

[Dogmudgeon]

1. How To Respond

Actually, I'll only give suggestions, not Answers.

"Hey, Daddy-o, since you have a copy of Kerry's voting record, why don't you make a copy for me? Or send e-mail."

When Daddy-o sends you the Freeper broadside -- one we've seen fifteen times at least -- you can fire back a volley of responses that will keep his head spinning for days.

And then, add a few of your own.

No one really knows what goes on in the voting booth, but God might just see him pull the "D" lever.

--bkl

[murielm99]

3. There was a thread here on August 31 by

liburl.

It was called Bookmark this: Factcheck.org.

Go back and look for that thread.

factcheck.org is a great way to debunk any of the lies about Kerry's voting record.

You can also go to Kerry's site and see his record, or visit the rapid response team area.

[the Kelly Gang]

2. if you go the Kerry website I think there is a link to his voting record

and you will find it's far more complex than presented by Repubs. It is on the web somewere.

For instance they claim he voted to cut defence spending..whereas he actually voted to cut it by a much smaller marjin than Dick Cheney.

you should arm yourself with some facts to counteract their fantasy.

[noahmijo]

4. Sure here's some stuff for ya

Did Kerry Oppose Tanks & Planes? Not Lately

Kerry voted often against nuclear missiles and bombers in the '90s, but GOP claims that he opposed a long list of conventional weapons are overblown.

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docid=147

The $87 billion charge

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docid=155

Marriage Tax and child tax

http://factcheck.org/article.aspx?docid=167

Also a simple question to ask dear old Step-Dad (this is the major talking point I use when debating why kerry would be strong on terra on my freeper father)

During the Iran-Contra affair which side was Kerry on and which side was Cheney on?

A dumbed down version:

http://www.inthe80s.com/scandal.shtml

Full report

http://fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/

Oh look Cheney himself supported a few cuts himself

http://factcheck.org/article.aspx?docid=177

[Andy_Stephenson]

5. John Kerry has missed more votes

than any other Senator in history...is that the voting record you were talking about?

[Razoor]

6. if John kerry missed senate votes then what about *?

he spent alot more time on vacation than any recent president I think the precentage was 42 or 32 percent. thats all he does vacations or camapaigns but he stops alittle to start a war or two

[Pastiche423]

7. When was whistle ass in the Senate?

The question was Senate votes. Voting is the reason constintuents elect a representative.

[librechik]

16. so he missed more votes etc and yet he got reelected over and over

I guess the people thought he was doing his job well enough.

[blm]

8. Kerry investigated and exposed more govt corruption than ANY lawmaker in

modern history.

His excellent voting record can be found at votesmart.

Those mad at Kerry for campaigning the last year instead of staying in the Senate seem to have a problem with missed votes. I guess they don't understand how important it is to be dedicated to a goal of defeating Bush in November.

[Lithos]

10. That is BS

I find it rather impossible given Strom Thurmond's several year period where he was absent from voting due to health issues.

What I think they are doing is forgetting to say that he has been absent from the Senate for most of the past year while he was campaigning.

They forget that Shrub has been absent for most of the past 4 years...

L-

[radwriter0555]

14. LOL what a load of crap. That is completely unsubstantiated smear...

but you go on ahead....

we won't mention bush's legislation for Halliburton and sending your taxpayer funded military to die for oil, 'kay?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

15. TOTAL BULLSHIT

I've never even heard the Republicans spread this lie... where did you get it from?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Here's his record on missed votes

Roll Call Vote Analysis
Year Voting Participation Party Support Presidential Support
2003 36% 100% 30%
2002 96% 92% 72%
2001 98% 98% 65%
2000 95% 96% 97%
1999 99% 95% 93%

[xrepub]

21. What do your numbers mean

What percentage of bills did he actually vote on?
What percentage of bills did previous senators vote on during an election campaign?

[sangh0]

22. The 1st 2 collumns is what you're interested in

Collumn #1 is the year they're reporting about
Collumn #2 is Kerry's attendance rate

As you can see, with the exception of this year, Kerry has over 90% attendance

[mbali]

20. You know that's not true, don't you?

[0rganism]

9. Has your stepfather checked it?

You can check out his roll call votes at http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm but that can be a bit tedious.

Here's a list of his declared positions: http://www.issues2000.org/John_Kerry.htm

Here's a list of sponsored legislation for the past 10 years:
http://kerry.senate.gov/bandwidth/issues/legislation.html

[talullah]

11. here ya' go

http://www.vote-smart.org/

[andino]

12. This is a good link too

http://kerry.senate.gov/text/congress/legislation.html

[radwriter0555]

13. Kerry's voting record is BRILLIANT. It tracks the heritage of a man who

battled for PEOPLE, NOT whored for corporations.

His record demonstrates his legislation towards the needs of his constituency, not the paid lobbyists for corporate whores and fat cat defense contractors.

When you really LOOK at each item he has voted on, you put it all together and see a real leader for PEOPLE.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Here's his record for all years

http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0421103

[mbali]

19. Anyone claiming to be familiar with Kerry's voting record is likely lying

since his 20-year record is far too extensive to be studied casually and it's doubtful that these freepers have the resources or the attention span to gather and study this record, much less understand it.

I simply ask people who try to characterize Kerry's record whether they've read every bill he's sponsored and co-sponsored and voted on (including amendments, substitutes and Committee Reports), studied the Congressional Record, analyzed the CBO reports, and reviewed every one of his Committee hearing and markup transcripts. If they can't assure me that they have done so, I tell them they don't know enough to have an opinion about Kerry's record.