CQ partisan ratings (Bayh,Kerry, Clinton,Feingold,Biden): Dems are united.

[MH1]

Okay I don't have a sub to Congressional Quarterly but I saw this really interesting article about Bayh, and it gives the "partisan ratings" - how often they voted with the party - for several Democrats they consider likely to run for Pres in 2008:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060115/NEWS02/601150503/1008/NEWS02

Bayh's votes followed party line in 2005

Is Sen. Evan Bayh voting with his fellow Democrats more now that he's considering running for president? That's one conclusion that could be drawn from Congressional Quarterly's analysis of 2005 votes.

The publication reported that Bayh voted with Democrats 90 percent of the time in 2005, which is a lot higher than his 78 percent party support in 2004, when he was up for re-election in Indiana.

On the other hand, the magazine also reported that Senate Democrats as a whole were far more united this year than in almost any year for the past quarter-century.

So let's see how Bayh's partisan vote score compares with those of other Democratic senators considered possible presidential contenders:

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.: The 2004 Democratic nominee had the highest score, voting with his party 97 percent of the time.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.: Viewed as the early front-runner for the nomination, although she hasn't said whether she'll run, Clinton voted with Democrats 96 percent of the time.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.: Considered by some as the Democratic candidate most able to challenge Clinton from the left, Feingold voted with Democrats 95 percent of the time.

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.: Biden, who like Bayh is seen as more of a moderate, voted with Democrats 89 percent of the time.

(snip)

For those who don't like to read here's the numbers without all the text, in descending order:

Kerry - 97
Clinton - 96
Feingold - 95
Bayh - 90
Biden - 89

[Island Blue]

1. Very interesting numbers.

It's really not at all what the casual DU observer/reader would expect, now is it.

I love the line about the Democrats being more united last year than any year for the past 25 years. THAT give me hope!

Thanks for posting! :hi:

[MH1]

2. It's a "caught you!" about Bayh, but not so surprising about the others.

Altho to hear some folks around here sometimes ..... :eyes:

Anyway, you're welcome!

:hi:

[cindyw]

6. You really have to credit Reid's leadership this year.

He has been a real tough senator.

[MH1]

19. Yes he has. But I sure hope he can keep them corraled on Alito.

Or at least 41 of them. (Did I mention, screw Ben Nelson?)

[AJH032]

3. Hillary at 96%

And yet we still have DUers calling her a Republican.

[ginnyinWI]

4. Looks like 2006 will be our year! n/t

[ProSense]

5. Democratic unity. Love it. n/t

[Pam-Moby]

7. dupe

[Pam-Moby]

8. Take notice that Lieberman was not on the list. LOL

[MH1]

9. Yeah, I'd love to see the full report.

This article only gave values for "likely 2008 presidential contenders." I'd say Lieberman knows by now that he's not in that categroy.

[Nimrod2005]

11. He may high up there I think....Maybe top 10 or so...n/t

[leesa]

10. It's about the war and their willingness to shred the constitution

their little votes on the environment and other issues can't stand next to these critical issues right now. It's whether they were willing to allow Bush to get away with illegally invading a sovereign nation and whether they are willing to allow him to shred our constitution.

[MH1]

12. Senators can't bring impeachment proceedings.

You know that, right?

They are all calling for serious investigations (the results of which could spur public calls for impeachment). Did you hear Kerry on the Situation Room, saying what he expects Specter to do in holding hearings, that they'd better be really balanced this time, and allow subpoenas without the chair being able to override?

And all those "little" bills mean real things to real people. Like that effed up medicare prescription bill that is causing poor elderly people not to be able to get meds. Or to wait in line for an hour only to be told they have to pay an amount they can't possibly pay, when it was supposed to cost them only $5.

Frankly, I don't appreciate the tunnel-visioned attitude that belittles so many issues that matter to real people like my family and friends. Iraq is important, but this other stuff is, too.

[ClassWarrior]

14. Why is your profile disabled?

NGU.

[TayTay]

15. It's about who is standing up for freedom and accountability

The Rethugs are holding up the Intelligence Re-Authorization Bill because it includes this Kerry Amendment. Do you consider this Amendment that would force some accountability on the Bush Admin program of 'rendition' of prisoners to secret prisons 'a little vote?' Do you think the Senate should capitulate to the Rethugs in the House and take it out? (Oh, and this is a Kerry Amendment. He got it through the Senate and got Repub votes to back it up.)

SEC. __. REPORT ON ALLEGED CLANDESTINE DETENTION FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS CAPTURED IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.

(a) In General.--The President shall ensure that the United States Government continues to comply with the authorization, reporting, and notification requirements of title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.).

(b) Director of National Intelligence Report.--

(1) REPORT REQUIRED.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall provide to the members of the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives a detailed report setting forth the nature and cost of, and otherwise providing a full accounting on, any clandestine prison or detention facility currently or formerly operated by the United States Government, regardless of location, where detainees in the global war on terrorism are or were being held.

(2) ELEMENTS.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall set forth, for each prison or facility, if any, covered by such report, the following:

(A) The location and size of such prison or facility.

(B) If such prison or facility is no longer being operated by the United States Government, the disposition of such prison or facility.

(C) The number of detainees currently held or formerly held, as the case may be, at such prison or facility.

(D) Any plans for the ultimate disposition of any detainees currently held at such prison or facility.

(E) A description of the interrogation procedures used or formerly used on detainees at such prison or facility.

(3) FORM OF REPORT.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in classified form.

[nickinSTL]

13. For those asking about Lieberman...

According to CQ Congress online (for the current Congress - the 109th):

Voting Alignment Results

Modify Search | New Search | Save Search

Party unity on CQ Key Votes for: Lieberman, Joseph I.: 109th Congress:

All Floor Votes Voted % of Total
206 With party 90.75%
21 Opposed party 9.25%
Total: 227

[MH1]

16. Puts him better than Biden.

Lieberman 91 (rounded)
Biden 89

Interesting.

And Biden is considering that 2008 pres run.

[ProSense]

17. It would be interesting to see the entire list. n/t

[nickinSTL]

18. I'm not sure I can legally post the whole list

I have access through my public library, which has a subscription, but reposting a full list might be a copyright violation.

You might check your local public library, to see if they have a subscription.