“I told [Cindy] with a little luck she could be the only lady to serve as first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip,” John McCain said.
Wait. He couldn’t mean that. By now, he must know what the Miss Buffalo Chip contest is all about. I have to assume he also knows what a buffalo chip is.
McCain appeared at the 68th Annual Sturgis Rally in Sturgis, SD speaking to several thousand bikers. During his speech he stumbled over the word ‘bucks’ when talking to the bikers about ‘four dollars – bucks – dollars a gallon’ for gas. I can only assume that he was told to say ‘4 bucks’ instead of ‘4 dollars’ in order to better relate with the biker crowd.
This was a rally that featured artists Kellie Pickler, Kiss and Kid Rock. The Star Spangled Banner was played by a guitar reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix while motorcycle engines revved along. Did McCain have his hand over his heart or over his ears?
But, I’ve gone down a tangent. McCain also told the crowd to give Congress a message: “Tell em’ to come back and get to work. When I’m president of the United States, I’m not going to let them go on vacation. They’re gonna become energy independent.”
[Insert long dramatic pause here. Picture me laughing hysterically.]
John McCain has been on vacation – for the most part – from his paid job as United States Senator representing the state of Arizona. This session alone, McCain has missed 63.3% of the votes. That is 399 out of 630.
Barack Obama has been absent from the Senate during this same period, albeit much less than McCain. Obama has missed 44.8% of the votes in this 110th session. (He missed 282 votes)
By contrast, Hillary Clinton missed 32.1% of the votes as she too was running for president. Tim Johnson who was hospitalized for much of this session missed 49.4% of the votes during his illness and recovery. He still voted 88 more times than McCain.
Democrat Russ Feingold and Republican Olympia Snowe were 2 of the 8 Senators to vote 100% of the time.
Let’s go back to the beginning of President Bush’s second term. McCain has missed 457 votes while Obama missed 294. That would mean that Obama only missed 11 votes during his first 2 years in the senate while McCain missed 58.
Former Democratic Presidential candidates Chris Dodd and Joe Biden also missed a good percentage of their votes due to their campaigning, but at least Dodd took time out to filibuster one of the votes on the FISA bill.
The message we get here is that it is more important to run for president than it is to represent your constituents and America. I also would be more forgiving if the votes missed were simple amendments or a vote to condemn MoveOn.org for their ‘David Betray Us’ ad. But McCain has been missing key votes like the FISA bill and the GI Bill.
Here is a letter to the editor I found in the Tennessean (July 19, 2008) penned by Susan Williams:
HR 6331, a bill to insure older Americans decent, affordable health care was voted upon last week. The vote was 69-30 with only one senator abstaining — John McCain. The same John McCain who can afford decent health care being married to one of the wealthiest women in the U.S.
Is this who Tennessee is going to vote for? Sens. Alexander and Corker had originally also voted to jeopardize Medicare recipients but they changed their vote.
Sen. Kennedy came from his home while undergoing serious medical problems which are terminal to help pass this important bill to help the elderly and impoverished.
One senator, John McCain, abstained “due to campaigning” while still earning his salary as a senator which he clearly does not need.
Although I cannot assert his financial needs, I can assert it in no way comes close to resembling the needs of the senior citizens on Medicare. Remember he did not even vote. The difference in men is quite apparent.
Sen. Kennedy, sick, rich yet empathic received a standing ovation while Sen. McCain did not even show up to vote. Is voting for 4-8 more years of Bush policy, which has broken all of us spiritually, financially and in every way possible what Tennessee wants?
The citizens of Tennessee being among the lowest paid in the country want another Republican especially this one? Think folks — you are voting against your own interests. Why?
John McCain has called the Congress to stop vacationing and go back to work. Truth be told, while some members of Congress squeeze in a vacation here before their children go back to school, many stay within their districts speaking and meeting with constituents.
And don’t forget the last time Congress was told to fly back to Washington – 2005 to vote on the Terri Schiavo Act.
Over the coming days, I plan on sitting down and actually reading the very long list of votes missed by both McCain and Obama. I’m not sure if it will really amount to anything, but I’ll report back if I discover anything substantial.
Full list of Barack Obama missed votes
Full list of John McCain missed votes
