And he still manages to show up for work

Here is the incredibly disheartening vote on the Dodd Ammendment, proposing to stripping the new FISA Bill of Imunity for telecoms.
Roll Call on Dodd Ammendment
I see Obama voted in favor of it, but there something missing. What is it? Let me see. Oh there at the bottom, under "Not Voting" - Clinton (D-NY)

This simply is not leadership. I don't like kicking a person when they are down, even Senator Clinton. But this is an important day on an important bill, and she is in the neighborhood. It's not a big mistake, but it is a mistake. Especially when Senator Obama shows up and votes the right way. It's a tough job and you have to prove that you can do it. That means campaigning in three states and making an important vote. One candidate did it, the other didn't.

As an aside, what the _ is wrong with Senate Democrats voting against this. Their approval rating is at an record low and they just keep helping big money. Casey (no relation), thankfully, has been consistent in his support of Dodd.

Update:
She is 0 for 2. Barack again votes with Dodd on exclusivity.
On exclusivity ammendment
Again kudos to my Senator, Bob Casey.

Update:
Wow is she racking up the missed votes today. She is up to 7, including the latest vote for cloture.
Senate roll call votes for 2/12/2008

Just read the count on cloture and Bob flipped voting Yea. Come on Bob, what was that? You were doing so well today.

•  leaders do more than show up

  were BHO a true leader, he would have spoken against so patently bad a bill.

  I've said this countless times before:  Had BHO or HRC taken the floor in opposition to this bill, all of the 24/7 meat grinders would have cut in live.  They would have brought out their talking heads to explain in simple terms the issue of Telco Amnesty.  It would be so far out in the open that mcjoan would be on the teevee for days.

  Senator Obama didn't do this.

  Neither did Senator Clinton.

  Neither is better than the other on FISA.

  by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:33:52 AM PDT

  •  If one shows up to vote and the other doesn't

    that is a difference.

    Both are inferior to Dodd on this issue.

    by bam bam on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:36:11 AM PDT

    •  she'll spin it as meaningless

      and she'll be right.

      Obama had an opportunity to do what his progressive supporters here want him to do, and he was found lacking today.

      by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:37:23 AM PDT

      •  what a load

        it's fine to support Clinton, but to spit out her talking points before she even drafts them is a bit much.  maybe obama didn't get out there and lead on this but it was still one more democrat voting the right way.  say what you want, spin to make it easier to swallow, but showing up matters.  what's she got better to do today?  campaign in states that 'don't matter'???

        by Punditcrat on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:15:37 AM PDT

        •  i don't support clinton...

          maybe he didn't get out and lead?

          then why the fuck would I vote for him to be a leader?

          by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:17:38 AM PDT

          •  i'm not asking you to.

            you can make up your own mind, and i'm sure the most recent FISA fight isn't going to be the deciding factor.  the point is that she hasn't even made a defense yet for not bothering to show up or give a shit about this, but you're right out there introducing us to her spin.  it's crap.

            by Punditcrat on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:19:43 AM PDT

            •  fights like FISA

              SHOULD be what we're talking about, rather than Chelsea Clinton, Rezko, and all the other flotsam and jetsam around here.

              by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:20:49 AM PDT

              •  i couldn't agree more.

                by Punditcrat on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:24:56 AM PDT

                •  then tell your candidate to LEAD

                  and motivate his supporters to make him do the right thing.

                  it'll be good practice, you know, for leading in the future.

                  by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:26:15 AM PDT

  •  You're right

    He should have done more. Obviously tough for him to show up and debate, but a statement in one of his many speeches would have been nice.

    by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:37:41 AM PDT

    •  even that would be better than silence

      but a leader should, well, you know, lead.

      by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:39:56 AM PDT

  •  On the other hand

    They've both spoken out rather forcefully against impeachment. There's some "leadership" for us to admire.

    :rolls eyes:

    by Sagebrush Bob on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:45:03 AM PDT

  •  This is the point I've been trying to make about

    our friend Barack since day one.

    Where has he stood for anything controversial? Forget Hillary for second. This irrational exuberance and adulation for the guy is based upon what exactly?

    I'd like to see one person actually address this without making comparisons to Hillary. What the hell makes Barack the SuperStar, when he has yet to stand and deliver on ANYTHING?

    by shpilk on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:15:16 AM PDT

    •  a lot of progressives who believe BHO

      is the Second Coming are going to be disappointed.  The two campaigns are slinging so much crap at each other right because the two are so alike in too many ways to have a substantive discussion.

      by YatPundit on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:19:17 AM PDT

      •  Exactly

        Take a look at my last 6 diaries ..

        by shpilk on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:40:59 AM PDT

    •  I voted for Barack

      But I have no illusions about him. I won't be at all surprised if Obama lets us down but the Clintons already let me down. So... with the only viable alternative to Clinton being Obama, my decision was rather easy.

      by Sagebrush Bob on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:43:29 AM PDT

  •  WRONG!

    She missed an important vote. Don't try to spin it.  

    by my homeo on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:32:32 AM PDT

•  She said she supported his efforts before

  but didn't show up today.

  I know I'm not disappointed.

  by bam bam on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:34:11 AM PDT

•  oops.

  by Addison on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:34:13 AM PDT

•  She does not

  want to be burdened with that vote come the general election..could be used against her.

  I have to assume that is her thinking. I believe it was the wrong thinking but she is the pro strategist.

  by Hawkjt on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:34:17 AM PDT

  •  right

    that's the same political expediency she brought to her Iraq vote.

    she was, by the way, in the neighborhood today, as the dirarist points out: Baltimore.

    by scotslass on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:37:09 AM PDT

  •  I don't think she's concerned about Gen Election

    At least right now I don't think that's much of a concern.

    by rustydude on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:41:53 AM PDT

  •  thx for the definition of unfit for duty.

    the "could be used against them" mantra has caused all the problems we've had - from the patriot act, to the iraq war, to barring the bill for impeachment, to net neutrality, to supreme court judge approvals.

    by jj24 on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:41:53 AM PDT

    •  There's a campaign slogan for ya:

      "There's nothing you can use against her."

      Real inspiring.

      by RickMassimo on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:38:47 AM PDT

      •  HA! here's another: "she's not THAT bad."

        by jj24 on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:53:55 AM PDT

  •  If she makes it to the GE

    she could use her brilliant line, "I voted for it but I'm glad it didn't pass."

    by whirled peas on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:58:20 AM PDT

    •  sort of like that old saw

      "if I was in the Senate, I would have voted against the AUMF", and then funding it at every chance he got.

      by shpilk on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:10:37 AM PDT

      •  Once the troops are there

        it's an entirely different situation, but I'm sure you know that.  I know it's the best you can do for your candidate, but it's an embarassingly lame argument.

        by whirled peas on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:38:31 AM PDT

        •  Once our troops are there

          is a Republican argument, which is meaningless.

          Military commanders on the ground can safely remove our people with reduced funding. No one is going to 'abamdnon our troops' by cutting funding.

          Stop buying into right wing bullshit of 'cut and run' please.

          Thank you.

          by shpilk on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:43:01 AM PDT

•  Leadership in action

  It's not just talk. Thank you, Mr. Obama.

  by CocoaLove on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:34:18 AM PDT

  •  In fact

    no talk at all.  If only he had said something about it.  He's got the biggest microphone in Washington right now.  

    I'm very glad he voted, and upset that she didn't, but YatPundit is right on this upthread: neither have led on FISA, and both have had ample opportunity.  He's marginally better because he voted, but not much.  

    by skiddie on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:51:26 AM PDT

    •  Actually she spoke against it more than Barack

      Of course, voting is always nice.

      by shpilk on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:12:40 AM PDT

•  Actually I heard

  she was campaigning in Texas.

  by Dreggas on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:35:21 AM PDT

•  After this, Clinton won't be able to

  criticize Obama for missing votes.  

  Where was she when we needed her to stand up for the Constitution and rule of law?

  by Happy Days on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:35:27 AM PDT

•  You don't need to go there

  He shows up for one vote, does none of the work to actually  to get passed and you want to heap praise?

  There is a good possibility that the reason he voted was because he knew his vote amounted to nothing. Wouldn't be the first time.

  by LaEscapee on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:38:07 AM PDT

  •  And she proved her worth by doing nothing,

    good point.

    by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:44:18 AM PDT

  •  I don't think he deserves heaping praise

    But he does deserve some credit for showing up and voting.  And she deserves criticism for not showing up.

    Do I wish he had been vocal on the issue?  Damn right I do.

    by jrooth on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:44:42 AM PDT

    •  I agree and that is my only point here

      It's just another piece of the big picture.

      by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:49:31 AM PDT

  •  Heap praise?

    How about heaping scorn on a 'leader' who chose to hide in Texas today? Did she think they were naming post offices?

    After she chose to make an issue of 'present' votes in the SC debate, I find this a little hypocritical.

    Before the inevitable 'you must be an obamatron' response...no, I'm not. I supported and still support Edwards. I am, however, against hypocrisy.

    by robroser on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:45:02 AM PDT

    •  Shame it wasn't the anti-flag burning vote

      then she would have been there for sure.

      by Paolo on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:14:33 AM PDT

  •  3 more votes and we would have had success

    With Hillary's vote, If she voted with Dodd, then that would have been 2 votes off. Who else didn't show up to vote?

    by Eidolon on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:49:48 AM PDT

    •  Perfect point I commend you

      Just a little scenario for you. You said, "3 more votes and we would have had success". This is correct, so let me ask you this.

      Why did he not try and secure those votes? Why did he not stand on the floor and chastise the other senators that were voting against this? Why hasn't he been talking about this for the last month, while he had half the cameras in America focused on every breath he takes?

      If he had actually done something like that, yes he cpould be called a leader. At this point he is nothing but a vote, and a silent vote at that.

      by LaEscapee on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:20:19 AM PDT

•  where is evryone's patriotic lov of ma bell? (nt)

  by Tamifah on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:38:19 AM PDT

•  what's up with these senators? D. L. C.

  the "new democrats."  (as in - votes just like conservative wingers)

  the "blue dog democrats."  (as in - they have a "d" after their name but they're really conservative wingers)

  http://www.ndol.org/...

  oh.  HRC?  D. L. C.

  by jj24 on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:38:42 AM PDT

  •  Here is a list

    Members of the Senate New Democratic Coalition

    On stripping retroactive immunity:

       * Sen. Max Baucus of Montana- YES
       * Sen. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware- NO
       * Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota- NO
       * Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota- NO
       * Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin- NO
       * Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana- NO
       * Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut- NO
       * Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas- NO
       * Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida- NO
       * Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska- NO
       * Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas- NO
       * Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado- NO
       * Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan- NO

    A saw this list at Booman.com, ht for the frog.

    by allmost liberal european on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:48:13 AM PDT

    •  Good for Herb.

      And showing that Primary challenges, even when "hopeless' can produce results.

      by ben masel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:57:45 AM PDT

      •  er...

        "NO" means that immunity stays in the bill.

        by MKinTN on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:06:19 AM PDT

        •  Oops. Thanks.

          by ben masel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:28:36 AM PDT

    •  thank you!

      by jj24 on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 11:05:44 AM PDT

•  Clinton voted "Texohio."

  Which isn't even 'present.'

  by Geekesque on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:38:43 AM PDT

  •  So she missed a vote..

    ..and Obama has missed a vote before (ok, you can blame Harry for that). Obama and Hillary both failed. They did not lead. Did she use her "machine"? There must have been opportunities to influence some of those who failed to support the constitution? Did he lead? Did he   give one of those trademark speeches that have been so great during campaign?He has some power now, did he used it?

    No, they both failed.

    by allmost liberal european on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:42:59 AM PDT

•  And to think,if only HRC counted for 30 senators,

  her presence would have mattered.

  by burrow owl on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:40:19 AM PDT

  •  Exclusivity failed by a mere 3 votes. n/t

    by jrooth on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:46:04 AM PDT

    •  That's getting closer to relevant,

      but still not quite there.  Here's a hint: one senator = one vote.  When you can get that margin down to one, then you can rail against her for sinking the bill.  As is, there were plenty of other (D)s and moderate (R)s that contributed to the bill's defeat (again)

      by burrow owl on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:48:47 AM PDT

      •  So you only show up for work when your vote

        counts. The logic here is incredible.

        by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:51:38 AM PDT

        •  I don't demand that people be on

          the Hill solely for ceremony, and so a bunch of bloggers don't get pissed.  

          by burrow owl on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:57:05 AM PDT

          •  But that is her job! Why do you keep ignoring

            that point. Campaigning is not what she is paid to do. Debating and voting on bills is what she is paid to do. Remember?

            by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:59:46 AM PDT

            •  This again?

              That sounds mighty familiar.  Oh, it's a Bush ad from 2004:

              AD ANNOUNCER: Leadership means choosing priorities. While campaigning, John Kerry has missed over two thirds of all votes. Missed a vote to lower health-care costs by reducing frivolous lawsuits against doctors. Missed a vote to fund our troops in combat Yet, Kerry found time to vote against the Laci Peterson law that protects pregnant women from violence. Kerry has priorities. Are they yours?

              by burrow owl on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:06:45 AM PDT

              •  I really don't see the connection? Apprently

                neither do you.

                by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:10:59 AM PDT

      •  And a major presidential candidate

        has no influence on her fellow senators?

        Both of them could have contributed pressure to pass at least that one critical element.  I'm not saying Obama did enough, but at least he was there and voted the right way.

        by jrooth on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:13:55 AM PDT

  •  He is on the record with his position and she

    ducks again. Please come up with a better excuse than it didn't matter. At the very least it is a statement of position and commitment. It's doing your job!

    by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:46:54 AM PDT

•  For the sake of reference

  when was the last time Hillary Clinton voted on the floor of the Senate?

  Just curious

  by RBH on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:46:05 AM PDT

  •  Nah

    being a bit harsh.. ganging up on her.

    A pessimist would say she missed 15 of 18 votes in 2008.

    An optimist says she made it to 3 of 18 votes.

    So, we'll be optimists.

    by RBH on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:50:46 AM PDT

•  Hypocrisy belies claims of leadership, toughness

  Just compare and contrast:

  "I continue to believe that a grant of retroactive immunity is wrong, and I have cosponsored Senator Dodd's amendment to remove that provision from the bill. The Bush Administration has blatantly disregarded Americans' civil liberties over the past seven years, and I simply will not trust them to protect Americans' privacy rights." - Hillary Clinton, January 28, 2008

  "So when I hear Senator Obama talk about that, I wonder which fights he wouldn't fight... You never hear the specifics. It's all this kind of abstract, general talk about how we all need to get along... I will work with Republicans to find common cause whenever I can, but I will also stand my ground, because there are fights worth having." - Hillary Clinton, February 11, 2008

  For Senator Clinton, this morning's vote on the Dodd/Feingold amendment just wasn't a fight worth having.

  by Left Leaner on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:51:09 AM PDT

  •  Yeah

    "I continue to believe that a grant of retroactive immunity is wrong"

    Not wrong enough to warrant me showing up to vote for it. After all, gotta prioritize to do the important things first.

    Check or credit?

    by RBH on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:54:46 AM PDT

    •  Maybe if...

      ...DC, Virginia, and Maryland didn't have so many black people/educated voters/activists/elitists/young people, she would have stayed in the area for primary day.  

      by Left Leaner on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:57:20 AM PDT

      •  Maybe if

        Virginia just had more people, they would be more important.. like Texas or Ohio.

        Senator Clinton is a bit busy running to be the leader to do much leading on the Senate floor. She sends her apologies, and a basket of oranges.

        by RBH on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:59:58 AM PDT

•  Good I don't have to picket Obama tonight.

  glad my threat made a difference. :')

  by ben masel on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:54:00 AM PDT

•  Well, at least Bob Casey did something right.

  by Pandoras Box on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:55:28 AM PDT

  •  He had some questionable votes last summer, but

    he has been very consistent over the last 6 months.

    by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:01:29 AM PDT

    •  I stand corrected, he just voted for cloture.

      And he was doing so well today, I thought he might actually stick this one out. This is actually a great example of how a voting record can be distorted. Voting for all these ammendments you knew would fail, then ultimately voting to pass the thing you seemed to be voting against.

      by Sean Casey on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:47:22 AM PDT

•  Too Bad she didn't miss the Iraq Vote

  by my homeo on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:34:02 AM PDT

•  Illustrative

  This vote by Obama shows something important about him.  And it's not what his vote was.

  He failed to vote on the Iran resolution, Hillary did.
  He stated that he would have voted against it.  Hillary voted for it.

  BUT, he also stated, "I shouldn't have missed that vote, it was a mistake".

  Now, he is showing us that he can learn a lesson, and not repeat the same mistake more than once.

  Kudos.  As well as for voting against immunity.

  by pvlb on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 10:35:19 AM PDT