Choosing to overlook the Hillary theatrics of the last few days, and she does grow easier and easier to overlook, I thought I might stay out of the drama and focus on what campaigning should be about: the issues. So let me start by saying, I think Hillary was on the right track before she was derailed by her latest loathsome tactics. (And yes, it is so tempting to stoop to her level by responding to what she now considers 'campaigning' to be, but, it is possible to rise above her flailing desperation and stay on track.)
Yes...Actions can speak louder than words, especially in Ohio and Texas and especially where "core Democratic values" are concerned. So, rather than go through excrutiatingly dry reads, like voting records, thanks to VoteSmart,it's easy to see the various interest group ratings of the two candidates where the groups' agendas are concerned...which is, of course, based on the actions of the candidate. And what I saw says a lot.
(Note: The senator with the better score is listed first.)
On Special Interest Group Ratings:
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Business-Industry Political Action Committee 10 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Business-Industry Political Action Committee 27 percent in 2006.
(Note on Above: Obama's score improved from 15% to 10% from 05-06. Hillary, on the other hand, went from 5% in '01-'02 to 27% in '06. The higher the score, the more supportive of special interests. So while Obama's score has decreased during his time in the Senate, Hillary is 5 times favorable towards special interests during her time in the Senate. If you look at Bipac's website, all who score 100% are Republican.
"BIPAC identifies and supports pro-business candidates who have demonstrated the skill and leadership necessary to fuel a pro-business Congress."
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On Business and Consumers: ps...take note Ohio.
2006 National Association of Government Contractors...both score 100 percent
Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 92 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 71 percent in 2006.
Senator Clinton supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 67 percent in 2006. Senator Obama supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 55 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 American Forest and Paper Association...both score 42 percent
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Associated General Contractors of America 62 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Associated General Contractors of America 50 percent in 2005-2006.
Senator Clinton supported the interests of the International Warehouse Logistics Association 33 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Obama supported the interests of the International Warehouse Logistics Association 25 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 National Association of Manufacturers...both score 16 percent
Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Electrical Contractors Association 67 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Electrical Contractors Association 33 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 National Federation of Independent Business...both score 12 percent
Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Restaurant Association 38 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Restaurant Association 25 percent in 2005-2006.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Retail Federation 17 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Retail Federation 0 percent in 2005-2006.
Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Small Business Association 37 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Small Business Association 28 percent in 2005-2006.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Plumbing-Heating- Cooling Contractors National Association 40 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association 20 percent in 2005-2006.
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Considered 'conservative' issues
"Americans for Prosperity is guided by a vision of greater economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity through strong ethical foundations, government restraint, and private sector productivity and competition.
Americans for Prosperity educates citizens about economic policy and mobilizes citizens to achieve fiscal and regulatory restraint by state governments and a return of the federal government to its Constitutional limits."
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 42.9 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 0 percent in 2006.
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Obama is usually ranked higher than Hillary by education and environmental groups.
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And on a couple of interesting 'make note' tidbits around the upcoming Texas Primary/Caucus:
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Latin America Working Group 67 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Latin America Working Group 33 percent in 2006.
Another that might be of particular interest in Texas:
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 100 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2006.
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And back to 'core Democratic Values':
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Peace Action 67 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Peace Action 56 percent in 2006.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 83 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 75 percent in 2005-2006.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA) 67 percent in 2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA) 33 percent in 2006.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 83 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation 75 percent in 2005-2006.
In 2005 Citizens for Global Solutions gave Senator Obama a rating of A-. In 2005 Citizens for Global Solutions gave Senator Clinton a rating of B+.
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On health issues, Obama usually ranks just slightly better than Hillary.
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On immigration issues, it's a draw.
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On labor, again, pretty much a draw.
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By liberals, Obama consistantly scored as 'more liberal' than Hillary.
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On seniors' issues, it's a draw.
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On social issues, it's a draw.
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On trade issues, it's a draw.
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On veterans' issues, Hillary scored slightly higher by interest groups in 2006, but in the 110 Congress (2007), Obama sponsored or co-sponsored 10 pro-veterans bills* that neither Hillary nor McCain co-sponsored. He seems to be improving over time...all 2 years of it.
*reference to bills with no Hillary and no McCain: S.38, S. 117, S.692, S.1084, S.1261, S.1593, S. 1885, S. 2004, S. 2330, S. 2617
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On welfare and poverty issues, it's a draw.
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On women's issues, very surprising in that it's not a slam dunk for Hillary:
Senator Clinton supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 100 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 90 percent in 2005-2006
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Business and Professional Women USA 100 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Business and Professional Women USA 83 percent in 2005-2006.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Federally Employed Women 100 percent in the 2005-2006. Senator Clinton supported the interests of the Federally Employed Women 90 percent in the 2005-2006.
Senator Clinton supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 96 percent in 2005-2006. Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 91 percent in 2005-2006.
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And, while it's not an interest group, it is nevertheless interesting that when the Washington Post decided tograde the various economic stimulus plans, including Bush's, the 'grades' were as follows:
Barack Obama A- ...Obama is at the head of the class with an intelligently designed, $120 billion stimulus plan.
George W Bush B- ...gets extra credit for signaling flexibility on his roughly $145 billion package and for not insisting on extending his tax cuts
John Edwards B- ...like Hillary Clinton (see below), he would spend too much money on programs --
Hillary Clinton C+...turned in a faulty first draft with a $70 billion stimulus plan that didn't provide much immediate stimulation.
John McCain D+...should have his plan sent back with "Did you read this assignment?" scrawled in red ink.
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All this AND Russ Feingold voted for him! Maybe next time around, there will be a Clinton rule ala the Zell Miller rule for doing the Republican's dirty work for them.
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