Since I am not instantly becoming a fanboy of Hillary Clinton for 2016, I am being called all sorts of things. From far-right flag planter to delusional Leftie, so far I have ran the gambit and frankly do not care. I do not care to get involved in petty personal politics. I will leave that for HRC supporters.
It was this PUMA-level party purity that kept me out of supporting any Democrat during the primary. I know politics is a full contact sport, but I did not care to see this sort of "debate" for who would be on the ticket.
And here we are again, once again, a full two-years before the primary, HRC supporters are already almost as full-throated in their disapproval for anyone but HRC.
Since HRC does not have a record outside of the US Senate, let us take a look at a few votes on why I will never support her unless she can full justify these votes.
Dec. 18, 2001 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate
(87 - 10)
NY Jr Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Democratic Yea
Notable Democrats Against:
MN Sr Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Democratic/Farmer/Labor Nay
VT Sr Sen. Patrick J. Leahy Democratic Nay
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
Oct. 25, 2001 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate
(98 - 1) Yea
The Lone Sane Democrat:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
Oct. 11, 2002 H J Res 114 Use of Military Force Against Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (77 - 23)
The Following Democrats were not "fooled" by the President:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
VT Sr Sen. Patrick J. Leahy Democratic Nay
MN Sr Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Democratic/Farmer/Labor Nay
OR Sr Sen. Ron Wyden Democratic Nay
HI Jr Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka Sr. Democratic Nay
NM Sr Sen. Jeff Bingaman Democratic Nay
WV Sr Sen. Robert C. Byrd Democratic Nay
MD Sr Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski Democratic Nay
WA Sr Sen. Patty Murray Democratic Nay
ND Sr Sen. Kent Conrad Democratic-NPL Nay
MD Sr Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes Democratic Nay
FL Jr Sen. Daniel Robert 'Bob' Graham Nay
MI Sr Sen. Carl Levin Democratic Nay
MA Sr Sen. Edward M. 'Ted' Kennedy Sr. Democratic Nay
MN Sr Sen. Mark Dayton Democratic/Farmer/Labor Nay
IL Sr Sen. Richard J. 'Dick' Durbin Democratic Nay
CA Jr Sen. Barbara Boxer Democratic Nay
HI Sr Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Democratic Nay
RI Sr Sen. John Francis 'Jack' Reed Democratic Nay
MI Jr Sen. Debbie Ann Stabenow Democratic Nay
NJ Sr Sen. Jon Stevens Corzine Democratic Nay
Nov. 19, 2002 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate
(90 - 9) Yea
Notable Democrats who knew this was a bad idea against personal liberty:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
MA Sr Sen. Edward M. 'Ted' Kennedy Sr. Democratic Nay
WV Sr Sen. Robert C. Byrd Democratic Nay
HI Sr Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Democratic Nay
March 2, 2006 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate
(89 - 10) Yea
Notable Democrats voting in favor of personal liberty:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
VT Sr Sen. Patrick J. Leahy Democratic Nay
HI Jr Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka Sr. Democratic Nay
WV Sr Sen. Robert C. Byrd Democratic Nay
Aug. 2, 2006 S AMDT 4775 Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate
(94 - 3) Yea
The ONLY Democrat who decided triple-layered fencing between the USA and Mexico, and for some reason not Canada, was NOT needed:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
Sept. 29, 2006 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate
(80 - 19) Yea
Notable Democrats who didn't want to build a fence between USA and Mexico and again, for some reason (cough they are white cough) not Canada were:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
NV Sr Sen. Harry M. Reid Democratic Nay
CO Sr Sen. Ken Salazar Democratic Nay
NJ Sr Sen. Robert 'Bob' Menendez Democratic Nay
NJ Sr Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg Democratic Nay
HI Sr Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Democratic Nay
VT Sr Sen. Patrick J. Leahy Democratic Nay
MA Sr Sen. John Forbes Kerry Democratic Nay
Then she doubled down on center-right Immigration with:
July 26, 2007 S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate
(50 - 44) Yea
July 26, 2007 S Amdt 2480 Border Fence and Customs Appropriations Amendment Adopted - Senate
(89 - 1) Yea
HRC really was into a fence getting built.
Then I guess she got busy, even for bills she was sponsoring.
Feb. 12, 2008 S Amdt 3907 Striking Telecommunications Companies' Civil Immunity for Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate
(31 - 67) Did Not Vote
Feb. 5, 2008 S Amdt 3907 Striking Telecommunications Companies' Civil Immunity for Surveillance Senate Co-sponsor
Unless, you know, her Wall Street backers needed her:
Oct. 1, 2008 HR 1424 Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate
(74 - 25) Yea
Notable Democrats who did not want to bail the Wall Street and 1%ers:
WI Jr Sen. Russell D. 'Russ' Feingold Democratic Nay
FL Sr Sen. William Clarence 'Bill' Nelson Sr. Democratic Nay
VT Jr Sen. Bernard 'Bernie' Sanders Independent Nay
While it was not my intent, when compiling this data, I am left with two questions:
1) Wasn't Feingold #1 on the Koch/Americans for Prosperity/GOP hit list?
2) Is he busy right now?
And if Hillary can triangulate to appropriate responses to her voting record, I am all ears.
But until she explains how she has "evolved" since asking for such things as the Patriot Act and triple-layered fences only for our southern neighbor and her soft-spot for Wall Street and the oligarchy, I will be looking for another Democrat to lead the ticket in 2016.