It is interesting, and possibly useful to parse the votes on both the DREAM Act and DADT cloture votes. Below is the listing of Democrats who voted against each, and the Republicans who voted for them.
Also: I know some anti-war/anti-military lefties don't fully get the importance of the repeal DADT, viewing this more as "equal wrongs" then "equal rights." However, regardless of ones views on the military-industrial complex, fortress America, and our imperialist role with bases in hundreds of countries all over the world, the fact is that historically open and acknowledged military service is the route by which oppressed minorities gain full and equal legal and civil rights in America. It was crucial abolition and reconstruction for African-Americans to have served in the Civil War. It has been an important path to respect and equality for every immigrant group throughout American history, from the Germans and Irish during the Revolution and War of 1812, to the Jews, Italians and other southern and eastern Europeans in World War I and II; and again for African-Americans and civil rights coming out of WW II and Korea.
Military service today, full equal rights including same-sex marriage tomorrow. That is why we are for it (regardless of ones views about the military per se), and why they are against it.
Now for the voting:
DREAM Act:
Republicans voting yes
Lugar (R-IN)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Bennet (R-UT) (update)
Dems voting no:
Baucus (D-MT)
Hagan (D-NC)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Tester (D-MT)
Not Voting:
Bunning (R-KY)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Manchin (D-WV)
DADT:
Republicans yes:
Mark Kirk of Illinois,
Scott Brown of Massachusetts,
George Voinovich of Ohio,
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine.
Dems voting No:
None
Not Voting - 4
Bunning (R-KY)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Manchin (D-WV)
Some thoughts:
- It will be interesting to see if Murkoswski continues to be a potential independent vote in the Senate going forward. What social and even economic issues might she be amenable to?
- Sad to see "sensbile conservative" and supposed foreign policy/security realist and expert Lugar being willing to vote to do the right thing on the domestic policy of the DREAM act, but not for the foreign policy/security related DADT.
- Pretty pathetic for the Baucus, Hagen, Nelson, Pryor and Tester contingent of hate and fear. Several of them are in states with large number of migrant workers (undocumented and otherwise) and increasing percents of Hispanic voters.
- Tester used to get lumped together with Webb (D-VA) as a sort of independent minded, libertarian-ish, potentially progressive populist. As has alas been clear for a while, he is a conservadem hack compared to Webb. You will be known by the company you keep.
- While I never had any hope for the conservadem hackitude that are Baucus and Nelson, one had occasional hope for Hagan. Not so much anymore. Sigh.
- While Manchin's previous "no, but" was chickenshit as is his no show in principle, the effect of the no-shows was to reduce the number of votes needed for cloture. I wonder if some of the no shows by some of the less-evil Republicans (Gregg?) were cowardly yes's
Your thoughts...?
