Overall, John McCain has missed 387 votes (62.6%! missed and only showing up 37.4% of the time) during the current session of Congress (the worst record in this 110th Congress). John McCain hasn't cast a single vote since April 8, 2008 (during a time when he was sitting pretty as presumptive nominee and Hillary and Obama were still duking it out).
Now, I know running for President is a full-time job: To give him a reliable comparison, I compared his activities on days since April 8 when he missed votes but Obama cast one or more votes. (Showing up for the majority of the votes 56.3% in the 110th Congress, Obama has cast almost 20% more votes than McCain in the 110th -- a truly amazing accomplishment when you consider the length and ardor of the Democratic primary.)
So what was McCain doing on those days since April 8 when Obama showed up to vote and he didn't? See below the fold:
On July 9, he missed 6 votes - he was at a Townhall meeting in Portsmouth, OH. Getting paid to be a Senator but not showing up to do the job (while also getting Veterans benefits and Social Security) isn't a waste of tax dollars for Mr. Mavericky Reformer Straight-Talker McCain. Politiker.com has reported on the Town hall:
"I believe it is it time for change in America. It's the right change, not the wrong change," McCain said, adding that he would end pork-barrel spending that wastes tax dollars and corrupts congressmen.
On June 26, he missed 4 votes - he was at a Cincinnati Finance Reception & Dinner from the McCain campaign website:
Tickets for the dinner are available to individuals or couples who raise or contribute $50,000; Individuals or couples who raise or contribute $10,000 are invited to the photo opportunity and VIP reception. Tickets to the main reception are $2,300 per person.
On June 4, he missed 2 votes - he was at a Town Hall meeting in Baton Rouge, LA and he was at a St. Petersburg Finance Reception:
Any individuals who raise $50,000 qualify for the Chairman level for this event. To qualify for the host committee, individuals must raise or contribute $10,000. Tickets for the general reception are $1,000 per person.
On May 22, he missed 4 votes - he did two fundraisers (Atherton and Stockton, CA) and one campaign rally in Stockton, California
California [Atherton] Finance Luncheon: Tickets for a Host Committee reception with a photo opportunity are $25,000 per couple (contribute or raise) and tickets for the luncheon are $2,300 per person. The Host Committee reception begins at noon and the luncheon begins at 12:30.
On May 13, he missed 4 votes - he was at a Bellevue [Washington] Finance Reception
Tickets for a Photo Opportunity Reception are $10,000 per person or couple (Raise or Contribute). Tickets for a VIP Reception are $2,300 per person, and tickets for the Main Reception are $1,000 per person. Tickets for the Victory Dinner are $33,100 per person or couple.
On April 23, he missed one vote, while he was MIA in the Senate, he was on a "It's Time for Action Tour, KY" in Inez, Kentucky. According to the NY Times:
His camera crew recorded much of the day for future campaign commercials.
IN SUMMARY Reviewing all the data, I've decided we don't pay McCain enough. If we paid him between $1,000 and $2,300 per American for each vote cast in the Senate, he would show up for work more frequently.
We've already had 8 years of a President who couldn't routinely be counted on to show up for the job for which he was elected.