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* Some of you know that I was interviewed by NPR yesterday. They wanted to talk about Barack Obama’s “Present” votes in the Illinois Senate. The issue has become a contentious one on the campaign trail…
“In the Illinois State Senate, Senator Obama voted 130 times ‘present,’” [Hillary Clinton said in Monday night’s debate]. “That’s not ‘yes.’ That’s not ‘no.’ That’s ‘maybe.’”
* Here’s part of what I told the NPR reporter…
To register a vote in the Illinois General Assembly, lawmakers have a choice of three buttons on their desk. The “yes” button is green. The “no” button is red, and the “present” button is yellow, says Rich Miller, who writes and publishes The Capitol Fax, a daily newsletter and blog on Illinois politics.
“There’s a saying in Springfield that there’s a reason why the present button is yellow,” Miller says.
But Miller says that not all “present” votes are cowardly, including those cast by then-state Sen. Obama.
“After having put some thought into it, I don’t think that Barack Obama was necessarily a coward for voting present on those bills. In fact, I think he believed that he was doing the right thing, because something, in his mind, might have been unconstitutional,” Miller says.
Miller points out that, at times, Obama was the only lawmaker voting “present” on bills winning near unanimous support, even on issues he supported and on one he sponsored.
* The rest ended up on the cutting-room floor. What I tried to get across was that Obama kinda hovered over everything when he was in Springfield. He seemed to play by his own rules, which he appeared to believe were more thoughtful or ethical than everyone else’s.
So, to his mind, voting “Present” on some of those bills was wholly justified. Whether it was part of an organized effort by abortion rights groups, or because he thought something in the bill was unconstitutional, or whatever, I think he believed he was doing the right thing.
The problem is that he has to answer for those votes in the real world, not in his own mind. Clinton is using a very common political attack. It’s happened many times before in Illinois, and will happen again.
The bottom line is Obama likes to think too much. He’s enamored with his own intellect to the point where he does things that don’t make political sense, like voting in the US Senate against an interest rate cap on credit cards because the cap was too high. Well, that was the only cap on the table. He should’ve known he was gonna get raked on that one.
He talks about bringing people together and finding concensus, but that usually means taking a somewhat distasteful vote when the final product hits the bricks. Too often, he gets all high-minded and decides he won’t play the game he signed up for.
* Meanwhile, the Sun-Times has been going wall-to-wall on Tony Rezko lately, and today was no exception…
* 8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko
* Mark Brown: Time for Obama to come clean - To dismiss Rezko as ’somebody who I knew’ just isn’t going to cut it
* Why do civil rights heroes cheer ‘Rezko card’?
* Hope hype won’t get us anywhere
* ArchPundit is doing the same thing, but in a less hyper manner. Go check it out here.
* Larry also has video from Lorna Brett, the former Chicago NOW president who had been supporting Hillary Clinton. Brett claims she was angered by Clinton’s attacks on Obama on the choice issue, which is directly related to Obama’s “Present” votes. Brett is now endorsing Obama.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:22 am
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re Brown, Most troubling to me is how Obama keeps handling this, a continuing lapse in judgment that leaves me wondering if there’s more here than meets the eye instead of less.
no kidding…. we’re Chicagoans…
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:37 am
We all knew a long time ago that the Clintons were going to pull this stuff if they ever felt really threaatened. They are good at it, in fact, Bill actually really gets off on it.
If this is all that they can come up with it won’t hurt Barack at all. If there is a lot more, he’s got a serious problem.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:44 am
Rezko may bring down Obama before he brings down Rod.What kind of judgement does it take to stay away from someone known to be under active federal investigation? Obviously better judgement than Barak has. Good God he and his wife engaged in a personally profitable real estate deal. A deal that would make Patti B. proud.
Comment by Leave a light on George Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:50 am
This drum beat will get louder and louder as the Rezko trial nears. As I recall, we had another prominent politician calling for “change” and for doing things differently. In his case, he simply lied to get to the position of governor. In Obama’s case, he wanted his share of the pie early on and did some “bone headed” things. Who is worse, the man who lied or the man who grabbed for a slice of the pie and let ethics slide? As to voting “present” regularly, you sure can’t do that as President. That appears to be a flaw in leadership ability, and there is certainly no room for that as President. On the other hand, the Queen of Clean…. isn’t! I’m leaning more and more toward Mitt Romney every day.
Comment by Justice Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:53 am
As a former legislator, I think that Dan Rutherford is the only one who never votes ‘Present’. Most of us tried to avoid it, but there are times when it is justified. 129 may be too many but some are OK.
Comment by retired Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:57 am
130 present votes just adds to the concern that Obama is lacking in experienc and most of all common sense. I was a big supporter when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. I only wish I had a chance to see him actually be a legislator. Half of what is coming out now is bogus…but I fear the other half is true. If that’s the case it’s time to back someone else.
Comment by downhereforyears Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:09 am
The problem with coming on as a messiah is that your toga had better be squeaky clean. As the mystique falls, so do you.
As far as the media, it is a tale of two stories. There is a story in building him up, and there is a story in ripping him down.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:15 am
The last time I checked Barack is human and thus not perfect. Some of those 130 votes may have been part of a “structured roll call” - without knowing the specifics of each vote, it’s hard to tell. It might be also as Rich said - some thing were not good enough.
This charge by the also imperfect Clintons is bothersome. As I remember Barack didn’t didn’t deep six Bill when his indiscretions were pointed out on TV and everywhere else.
This is much ado about nothing.
Doug Dobmeyer
Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:20 am
What’s the difference between Obama and Santa Claus? Obama has more presents!
To his credit, Obama has avoided getting rattled by the Clinton’s until recently. We all knew it was coming, but I wondered how long he could maintain his “above it all approach”. I am enjoying the democrats fight each other over silly stuff (who is blacker) and seeing the dems turn (not all, but in significant numbers0 their allegiances from the Clintons.
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:21 am
@downhereforyears: I completely agree and I personally think that Obama jumped into the president race too early. Sure, he didn’t want to build up a Beltway record that could be used against him, but I think that getting some legislative experience in the *United States Senate*–which I think is just a tad different than working in Springfield, despite what people are arguing–would have been extremely valuable.
And re: He talks about bringing people together and finding concensus, but that usually means taking a somewhat distasteful vote when the final product hits the bricks. Too often, he gets all high-minded and decides he won’t play the game he signed up for.
My thoughts exactly about his hope and unity campaign: I’m not sure if he realizes the reality of the brutal but necessary compromises that await him in the White House.
Comment by haelig Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:35 am
if Obama claims that the 130 present votes were
part of some strategy, then explain that strategy
for each of the votes. if there was not a strategy, then what is the explanation?
Being present is only good in a zen sense, Barack.
Of course, he may give us a different story, just
as he has given multiple stories for his famous
absence….the vote on the Safe Neighborhoods Act,
which the Tribune scorched him on at the time.
I’d also like a full explanation of his vote for
the Cheney energy bill and his relationship
with Exelon. Was Axelrod the media company
for the shill community group for Exelon?
How much money did Obama get from Exelon related
people? That bill was a travesty.
Barack has yet to learn that it’s not what you
say during a campaign but how what you say matches
to your record. The “product” that is being
rolled out now does not match the reality.
Comment by amy Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:39 am
I think he believed that he was doing the right thing, because something, in his mind, might have been unconstitutional,” Miller says.
oh, I get it. all the present votes are because Obama is a CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLAR, he’s SMARTER than all the lackeys limiting their world view to voting “aye” or “nay,” they just don’t share Obama’s vision of what’s possible
way to turn a negative into a positive, Rich
we have a Supreme Court here in Illinois for constitutional issues, thanks, I know it’s outside your beat, but Obama was not a Supreme
Obama was not my rep but if he was I would have to insist he vote up or down, go on record, with RARE exceptions, like if he was flat-out unprepared to vote and unfamiliar with the text. I don’t need a legislator that’s so preoccupied with the next job that he can’t do his current job
Comment by Hugh Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:43 am
Hugh, if you think that was a positive post, then you’re too partisan to see straight.
===we have a Supreme Court here in Illinois for constitutional issues, thanks, I know it’s outside your beat, but Obama was not a Supreme===
Legislators are supposed to consider the constitution. It’s in their oath of office.
Also, he was a Senator, not a Rep.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:46 am
OK, now I remember you, Hugh.
I should’ve known you’d jump on a fairly negative post and try to make it look like i’m being an Obama shill.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:49 am
Perhaps when the smoke of all the accusations clears, the media can do its job and simply outline Mr. Obama’s voting record and philosophy which is exemplified by that record.
There are those among us who are not looking for an extremely liberal president, but there are those who are. Lets get the facts out, weed out the distractions and make a choice based on facts, not just hype.
So far we have had a lot of promises and generalities from the Obama camp. What is needed is an explanation of how we are to pay for all those ‘presents’ (as alluded to by Wumpus). We can cut out the avarice of taxing the rich, because they they already pay the vast majority of the income taxes, Taxing corporations sound good until you realize that most people work for what is small business. The mantra of fixing health care is getting tired. Promises are being made to legalize the current crop of illegal immigrants. How will that work? Time to show some specifics.
Nearly none of the POTUS candidates have ever created a job in their life. Why should we believe that they have the ability to create jobs now? And if they can why did they not create jobs before?
Comment by plutocrat03 Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:53 am
I think Mark Brown was right. Immediately after Carolina, Obama needs to let it all hang out on Rezco. Take all questions until there are no more. It’s the only way to get ahead of the story. If he doesn’t do it, you have to ask why not.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 11:56 am
Lets stop arguing over Obama’s refusal to vote on issues and take a closer look at the insight Rich brings to us in understanding Barak.
“The bottom line is Obama likes to think too much. He’s enamored with his own intellect to the point where he does things that don’t make political sense…”
I have also read comments that refer to Obama as a “navel gazer”. I have read reporter’s comments that Obama believes in his own righteousness, (which all politicians have to do, btw). But what kind of guy at his age seems so determined to publicize his need to search for himself? He is a walking Oprah episode.
What kind of leader is this? Bill Clinton is famous for his inability to make decisions. On the plus side, he considers every side to an issue - on the negative side, he never stops considering.
Both Bill and Barak tout themselves as thoughtful intellects due to these character traits, but being a thoughtful intellect is great for a guy who is 1 of 100 senators engaged in endless debates, not for a decision maker.
This character trait paralyzes as well as informs. Obama, the forever-seeker, is indeed thoughtful and engaging, but will need to learn what Clinton could not; there comes a time to stop talking and start doing. You can’t learn how to swim or drive a car from a book, however helpful a book could be. In the Oval Office, we need a president capable of understanding how to reach intelligent decisions, not just have intelligent debate.
Obama’s autobiographical books, his ‘present’ votes, his presentation, his difficulties with television debates, all point to a great guy who will struggle whenever an issue reaches a point of action.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 12:38 pm
As an outsider, there have been few weeks go by when the IL legislature has been in session when I heard of some proposed bill and thought, “what a dumb, unnecessary bill that is!”. It seems like IL legislators are constantly responding to some new headline with a new junk bill. And many of these bills seem designed to merely put their political enemies on the hot seat. So, if anyone is high minded enough to vote “present” on some of this crap, more power to him. This kind of out of the box thinking is what attracted many of us to Obama in the first place.
It is also refreshing to hear a candidate respond intelligently to questions instead of hearing the same rehearsed sound bites for months on end. There is a risk involved in this for the candidate as Obama discovered after the Clintons distorted his comments about Reagan. But again, this high mindedness is appealing. The responses revealed more about the Clinton’ negatives than anything else.
One negative that I do see applies equally to both the Clintons to Obama. This negative pertains to a hunger for stature and presence among the wealthy and powerful as a means of ascending and maintaining position on the political ladder. It is very sad to see how this connection with money has seriously undermined our democratic institutions at a time when they are so greatly tested and when many of us are really losing hope that they can respond adequately to such daunting challenges.
Comment by Vole Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 12:41 pm
Another example of how trying to please everyone ends up pleasing no one.
Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 12:41 pm
When the Rezco house buying incident first reared it’s head I thought this is bad and anybody running against him could use it effectively. Well it is finally happening and I don’t blame Hillary Clinton one bit for using it because every other pol would.
Here is what I fear will happen. Hillary will win the nomination after a hard fought bitter primary, however, Obama’s supporters will be so upset they will torpedo Hillary in the general and we will be stuck with 4 more years of Republican nonsense.
I hope I am wrong. The second Obama admitted buying real estate with Rezco was bone headed and distanced himself from him was enough for me. Everybody makes mistakes and I like someone who admits them but he also needed to be politically smart and know whether this thing would bring down his campaign. I always thought it would. I just hope it doesn’t bring down the November ticket.
Comment by Garp Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 1:04 pm
Garp: “Everybody makes mistakes and I like someone who admits them”
On the big scale, Obama’s mistake ranks very low compared with Hillary’s vote on the Iraq war, a major screwup that she has never satisfactorily owned up to. It is ironic the way that the Clintons have turned this weakness on Obama.
I will not torpedo Hillary in the general, but I won’t be voting for her. If this means a Republican president so be it. I was sick of the Clintons before and I’ll not stand for the circus again.
Comment by Vole Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 1:20 pm
re: Garp
“however, Obama’s supporters will be so upset they will torpedo Hillary in the general and we will be stuck with 4 more years of Republican nonsense.”
Having a Democratic Executive, Senate and House have served Illinois so well?
Neither party has a claim for putting the people’s business over their own special interests.
Comment by plutocrat03 Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 1:41 pm
[…] UPDATE: Rich Miller has posted a follow-up today in “Present votes and Rezko“. […]
Pingback by Illinois Blogs Recap Rezko & Obama: Not Much There There, UPDATED « Illinois Reason Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 6:06 pm
Vole: not one, but two votes — the second being to declare a part of the iranian army a terrorist organzation paving the way for another attack. She does know now what she didn’t know then!
For Barack’s present votes, was the % of present votes? If there were 1500 votes, 150 is 10% and I think people could live with that. If there were only 150 voting opportunities — well that’s a different situation. Also, it would be enlightening to see the distribution of “present votes” across the illinois senate. (percent for each senator) Was barack more “present” than others? If he was in a similar ballpark, you could think he was operating in a standard illinois fashion as members were accustomed to doing.
Also, he did not fashion himself the messiah, his fans did. He is just a smart man. Who wouldn’t come out of illinois politics with a little soil around the cuffs?
Comment by NoGiftsPlease Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 8:03 pm
Has anyone ever seen Lorna Brett and Julia Roberts together in the same room? Were they separated at birth?
Comment by Punley Dieter Finn Thursday, Jan 24, 08 @ 10:01 pm
Check out the pic of her and Rezko http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm
Comment by Hillary the Hypocrite Friday, Jan 25, 08 @ 8:25 am