Obama & Clinton and the "No" vote

I posted earlier, that as the Senate vote neared the end, Barack Obama voted no, and then two votes later, Hillary Clinton voted no too, both as expected. The tally was 80 voting yes, 14 voting no.

Give Obama credit for being quick (15 minutes after the vote) to post something on his blog to frame the vote for his supporters. Here's what Obama says:

"This vote is a choice between validating the same failed policy in Iraq that has cost us so many lives and demanding a new one.  And I am demanding a new one."

"We must fund our troops.  But we owe them something more.  We owe them a clear, prudent plan to relieve them of the burden of policing someone else's civil war.  We need a plan to compel the Iraqi people to reach a political accommodation and to take responsibility for their own future.  It's time to change course."

"I opposed this war in 2002 precisely because I feared it would lead us to the open-ended occupation in which we find ourselves today."

"This President has led us down a disastrous path and has arrogantly refused to acknowledge the grim reality of this war, which has cost us so dearly in lives and treasure."

"After he vetoed a plan that would have funded the troops and begun to bring them home, this bill represents more of his stubborn refusal to address his failed policy."

"We should not give the President a blank check to continue down this same, disastrous path."

"With my vote today, I am saying to the President that enough is enough.  We must negotiate a better plan that funds our troops, signals to the Iraqis that it is time for them to act and that begins to bring our brave servicemen and women home safely and responsibly."

As expected, Obama uses the Bush veto as a pivot to turn to voting against funding of the war, laying the blame on Bush. Nothing from Clinton yet. The Obama camapign also used twitter to send out his response, "In DC voting No", texting, "We should not give the President a blank check to continue down this same, disastrous path."

Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton (all tags)

Comments

56 Comments

good

good for Obama.... never supported this stupid war to begin with and now is framing this the rigth way, it's about judgement and more than any other dem nominee, he has it.

by nevadadem 2007-05-24 05:31PM | 0 recs
Re: good

I agree. I believe he handled this in a wise manner , not talking about it until after the vote because as we know, every word that comes out of his mouth is dissected and deliberately misrepresented my the Media and others, so I am glad that he was careful. This is only good for the senator.

by ObamaEdwards2008 2007-05-24 06:06PM | 0 recs
Re: good

It was good for him to vote no, but it would have been better for him to clearly state his position earlier.

by clarkent 2007-05-25 06:51AM | 0 recs
Re: good

... which is why he has been voting to fund this occupation up until this point.

Who knew that the 16 votes he was looking for was 16 Democratic votes willing to stand against capitulation. But good on him, he's only 2 votes short.

by BruceMcF 2007-05-25 05:59AM | 0 recs
good framer?

Good for Obama because he's a good framer????

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

This is the guy who first had no specifics and said, "It's not about details, it's about a different kind of campaign." and he has never shown us that difference and now he's resorting to politics as usual.

I'm going to see him Saturday to see if experiencing his "Soaring Rhetoric" in person will make a difference for me. Color me doubtful.

by greenvtster 2007-05-25 08:20AM | 0 recs
Who are the other 12 no votes?

Boxer, Kerry, Feingold?

How did Webb vote?

by End game 2007-05-24 05:35PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

The No votes:

Boxer (D-CA)
Burr (R-NC)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Dodd (D-CT)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Obama (D-IL)
Sanders (I-VT)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

by Jerome Armstrong 2007-05-24 05:38PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Wow.  It is kind of amazing when you think of the names that are NOT are that list.

by aiko 2007-05-24 05:40PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Webb was voicing his support weeks ago.  He really let me down.

by yitbos96bb 2007-05-24 05:41PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Did I read that right?  Two REPUBLICANS voted no!!!  Only 12 Dems voted no?  Disgraceful.  Thank god Obama voted no... and I'm a bit surprised but pleased Clinton did.  

by yitbos96bb 2007-05-24 05:43PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

I think Coburn voted against it because of the pork provisions and probably the minimum wage.  

by Kingstongirl 2007-05-24 05:46PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

I missed Coburn... THAT'S EVEN WORSE... ONLY 10 DEMS!!! (and Sanders) That is just embarassing and reprehensible.  We should send them hand towels to wash the blood from their hands.

by yitbos96bb 2007-05-24 05:48PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

We should send them hand towels to wash the blood from their hands.

That sounds like a really sweet protest idea.  Present it to them as a gift from the constituents.  
by maddogg 2007-05-24 06:31PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Yeah it would be good... just need to raise the money.  

by yitbos96bb 2007-05-24 07:42PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Enzi appears to be the same.

by Anthony de Jesus 2007-05-24 10:39PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?
Burr?
How the hell did we get Burr on this one?
Did he hit the wrong button, or something?
by Kalil 2007-05-24 06:06PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Seriously! Does anyone know what happend with Burr, Enzi and Coburn voting against?

by Quinton 2007-05-24 06:54PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Likely voting as the Gang of Six tells them to, against the minimum wage.

by BruceMcF 2007-05-25 06:00AM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Who's the gang of six?

by Quinton 2007-05-25 06:31AM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

The six Republican-captured business groups ... US Chamber of Commerce etc. see this blog from Matt Stoller about the group.

The gang member most dead set against the minimum wage increase is the National Restaurant Association.

by BruceMcF 2007-05-25 07:47AM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Thanks much for the link

by Quinton 2007-05-25 08:08AM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Thank Matt for the post! I had seen several of the Gang of Six and their propoganda mills in the minimum wage fight in 2006 here in Ohio ... but I did not have the complete list at hand until Matt brought it to our attention on MyDD.

by BruceMcF 2007-05-25 08:47AM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Cheers!  These are the new leaders of the Democratic party.

by noquacks 2007-05-24 07:07PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

2008 DEMOCATS
Senator Barack Obama: No
Senator Hillary Clinton: No
Senator Chris Dodd: No
Representative Dennis Kucinich: No
Senator Joe Biden: Yes

2008 REPUBLICANS
Senator Sam Brownback: not voting
Representative Ron Paul: No

Also notable: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voted agaisnt the bill, while Harry Reid voted for it. See how your Senator voted here, and how your House Representative voted here.

by remove 2007-05-24 05:47PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

Pelosi voted against it, but allowed the bullshit procedural... where is her LEADERSHIP on this issue.

by yitbos96bb 2007-05-24 05:49PM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the other 12 no votes?

My guess is that she agreed to permit this vote in exchange for getting party unity on the previous bill.

by Anthony de Jesus 2007-05-24 10:29PM | 0 recs
WEBB, TESTER? WTF!!!

by icebergslim 2007-05-24 07:12PM | 0 recs
WWJF?

What Would Jesus Fund?

If they new the resolution would pass why not load it up with more wins than just minimum wage? This is a missed opportunity to get something for caving into Bush.

by Intercaust 2007-05-24 05:56PM | 0 recs
Re: WWJF?

They did load it up with a bit more than just the minimum wage. There's also katrina recovery money and SCHIP and some other good stuff. Would have been interesting to see them apply pay-go principles to future funding of Iraq military action and require the repeal of the Bush tax cuts for those making over $200,000 a year to help fund it and some other things. An increase in the EITC would have been good too. If we're going to get fucked anyway... well... may as well get as much out of it as possible.

Having republicans on record against pay-go principles to pay for it would look bad to people in general and especially to those in their base that still rabidly care about decifits.

by Quinton 2007-05-24 06:54PM | 0 recs
Agreed
There's a lot of good inside that bill, desite the horrid capitulation. I'm surprised the House Republicans voted it down, while the senate republicans voted for...
by enarjay 2007-05-24 07:28PM | 0 recs
Re: Obama

I was wrong. I thought that he would vote yes. It appears that Obama is aware of the dem base after all.

by aiko 2007-05-24 05:56PM | 0 recs
To be honest

I don't think Obama cares about the Democratic base or any other interest group. He is probably the biggest free thinker in the Senate after Russ Feingold.

by Populism2008 2007-05-25 02:10AM | 0 recs
Re: To be honest

That is why I expected him to vote yes--it would have been more consistent imho.  To me a no vote pandered to the activists--something I hadn't seen him do before.  

by aiko 2007-05-25 04:01AM | 0 recs
So it is Pelosi and Reid's fault then

Wow expect their approvals to go way down.

by jasmine 2007-05-24 05:58PM | 0 recs
Erg.

Uh oh. Once I regroup tomorrow my Senator Klobuchar is going to get a mouthful from me.

At least my Rep voted the right way.

by Populista 2007-05-24 06:04PM | 0 recs
an interesting aspect

is whether Obama's comments about funding the troops and what to do after a veto some time ago helped lead to this defeat or were contributing to a strategy of what to do next.  (Honestly I can't remember what Clinton said)

by John DE 2007-05-24 06:15PM | 0 recs
vote

 Obama and clinton voted no after the bill passed they're both cowards because of this and for not taking a stand on this issue ahead of the vote.

by Torauk 2007-05-24 06:19PM | 0 recs
Re: vote

A no vote is a no vote.  Clinton waited until AFTER Obama voted in order to vote the same way he votes.  Clinton has no leadership qualities, Obama does.

by vamonticello 2007-05-24 06:24PM | 0 recs
Hilarious! n/t

by clarkent 2007-05-24 06:30PM | 0 recs
Yep.

I don't think it's an accident.  It's pretty clear Clinton isn't going to let Obama vote on any Iraq war issue differently.  I still think Obama was trying to snowjob her...and it failed.  But worth trying.

by rashomon 2007-05-24 06:42PM | 0 recs
Re: Yep.

Better to get out front of the issue and let everyone know where you stand.

by clarkent 2007-05-25 06:48AM | 0 recs
Re: vote

"A no vote is a no vote."

...directly contradicts...

"Clinton waited until AFTER Obama voted in order to vote the same way he votes.  Clinton has no leadership qualities, Obama does."

You can't have it both ways.

by Baldrick 2007-05-24 06:45PM | 0 recs
And did Obama wait til after Dodd voted ...

... to cast his vote?

Is leadership a transitive property?

by BruceMcF 2007-05-25 06:02AM | 0 recs
Re: vote

... and Obama waited until after Dodd, Edwards and Kucinich came out against it publicly and took the heat.

by greenvtster 2007-05-25 08:23AM | 0 recs
vamonticello wrote:
"Clinton waited until AFTER Obama voted in order to vote the same way he votes. Clinton has no leadership qualities, Obama does." ________________ You have no proof of this. I doubt very much that Hillary was waiting to follow the decision of a Senator of two years!

What a stupid assertion.

by samueldem 2007-05-25 03:14PM | 0 recs
Re: vote

Oh good lord.  They are two out of TEN Democratic Senators who voted against it.  You don't think that entails some political risk.  What exactly were they going to do? Convince 30 people to change their votes by declaring against it a couple days ago?

They voted.  Their job is to vote and they voted the way you wanted them to vote.

by Baldrick 2007-05-24 06:26PM | 0 recs
Exactly

we should be outraged at these freshmen and their votes, Webb, Tester, McCaskill, Klobuchar, Cardin, etc., they all voted for this shit.  Don't be angry because Obama or Clinton did not come out with a press conference on one vote, geez.  Be angry at these democrats for voting for this shit, we put them in office, remember that.

by icebergslim 2007-05-24 07:19PM | 0 recs
Re: vote

Let me guess, you an Edwards supporter.

by Sam I Am 2007-05-24 06:28PM | 0 recs
Re: vote

using your logic its still a no vote hence respectable, my view is neither of them showed leadership

by Torauk 2007-05-24 06:29PM | 0 recs
Re: vote

Like your guy Edwards? He has clearly shown ledarship when it does not matter - screaming from the sidelines. In the Senate he cosponsored this war and helped it happen.

by Populism2008 2007-05-25 02:13AM | 0 recs
Votes Matter More than Statements

You know the old saying - money talks, bs walks.  Talk is cheap and Edwards conversion is very nice but when he had a chance to actually take an action, he actively supported giving Bush the authorization to invade Iraq.  Edwards supporters can say whatever they want but those are the facts.

by John Mills 2007-05-25 06:16AM | 0 recs
Re: vote

why only 50 characters available to write?  

by Torauk 2007-05-24 06:36PM | 0 recs
Re: Obama Clinton

Whew.  Thank God there's more rational commentary on here, as opposed to HuffPo.  It's like a freakin' Libertarian orgy over there.  

by PD1769 2007-05-24 09:03PM | 0 recs
Don't have to say it often

But this time I will.  Hillary Clinton made a dumb political move.  The attacks ads in the general are already written - "Hillary Clinton denied funds to our troops while they were at war."

by dpANDREWS 2007-05-25 04:11AM | 0 recs
Who are the real leaders?

John Edwards and Chris Dodd deserve immense credit for being out front on this issue. As much as I appreciate the votes of Obama and Clinton they are clearly followers.

Populism2008 stated that John Edwards was screaming from the sidelines. He also made the point that Edwards voted to authorize the war. What he neglects to mention is that when he saw what the vote he cast had done he voted against the $87 billion war supplemental while he WAS in the Senate. And he has BY FAR been the strongest leader against this war since.

by JustaDem 2007-05-25 05:43AM | 0 recs
Re: Who are the real leaders?

The resolution Edwards co-sponsored was also written to give the president a much narrower scope of authority than the leadership bill (Daschle-Lott) that would have otherwise passed without Edwards fighting for his bill.

by Quinton 2007-05-25 06:30AM | 0 recs

Diaries

Advertise Blogads


----------- myDD - skin -----------