Sen. Barack Obama will portray himself tonight as an agent of change for mainstream America, but his eight-year voting record in the Illinois Senate shows the Democrat was on occasion an agent of isolation who took stands — particularly on anti-crime legislation — that put him to the left of his own party.
He was the only member of the state Senate to vote against a bill to prohibit the early release of convicted criminal sexual abusers; was among only four who voted against bills to toughen criminal sentences and to increase penalties for “gangbangers” and dealers of Ecstasy; and voted “present” on a bill making it harder for abusive parents to regain custody of their children, a Washington Times review of Illinois legislative records shows.
The pattern has continued since Mr. Obama joined the U.S. Senate, according to National Journal magazine. Its respected legislative scorecard rated the Illinois Democrat, based on his 2007 voting record, as the most liberal member of the Senate, even more liberal than Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, a self-described “democratic socialist.” Mr. Obama ranked No. 16 and No. 10 in the previous two years. His running mate, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, ranked third in the 2007 National Journal survey, with only Sen. Edward M. Kennedy between him and Mr. Obama.
Left of the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, an admitted socialist? Is that possible? Isn’t Obama being packaged and marketed as a moderate? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: No. Hell no!
Should you care, or are you just enjoying the party atmosphere? Of course you should! At least be informed for crissake! Read the man’s voting record, some of which is spelled out for you in the Washington Times article. Then, if you really want to drink the KoolAid and vote for an empty suit socialist, go ahead. Just don’t whine when your liberal Congress and liberal President work hand in hand to turn the country into the United Socialist Republic.