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Hillarack Oblinton
Jan 9th 2008 9:25AM
Filed Under:eHillary Clinton, Democrats, Barack Obama, Featured Stories
Now that the Democratic race for the nomination has, for all practical purposes, been winnowed down to two candidates--Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama--it is time to get out the fine-toothed combs and decide which of these Senators is more deserving to be the nominee. The central distinguishing proposition of the race thus far has been that of Experience (Clinton) vs. Change (Obama). At the same time, however, I've heard more than a few Clinton supporters say that, when it comes to the issues before the Senate, Hillary and Barack have overwhelmingly voted in the same fashion. A look at GovTrack.us sheds some light on the legislative priorities and accomplishments of each would-be president. You can learn a lot about a candidate by seeing what kinds of laws he or she wants passed. So let's have a gander.
In 2007, Hillary sponsored or co-sponsored 100 pieces of legislation. Some practical and important--such as S. Res. 649, a bill that requires an independent safety inspection for New York's Indian Point Nuclear plant--and some symbolic--such as S. Con. Res. 10 which recognizes and praises the NAACP on its 98th birthday.
Of the 100 bills brought to the floor by Clinton this year, 6 have been enacted into law:
1. support for the goals and ideals of "National Purple Heart Recognition Day"
2. a concurrent resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
3.a bill to recognize the goals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
4. a bill to urge a international organization to allow access to Holocaust archives
5. a resolution calling for Hamas and Hezbollah to release Israeli soldiers held captive
6. recognition of the uncommon valor of Wesley Autrey, the man who jumped on to the subway tracks and saved a man's life
Over to Obama's year in the Senate. The Illinois Senator sponsored or co-sponsored 63 bills this year. As with Hillary, some of them would have immediate practical effect--such as S. 1306, the Lead Free Toys Act of 2007-- and some are less urgent--such as S. Con. Res. 5 which honors the life of Percy Lavon Julian, the first African American to be inducted into the Academy of Sciences.
Of Obama's proposed legislation, 3 bills passed in 2007.
1. a resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.
2. the designation of July 12, 2007 as "National Summer Learning Day."
3. a condemnation of Zimbabwe's governmental oppression of its citizens.
The takeaway from all of this? It's much easier to pass non-binding, symbolic laws than ones that actually do much to change the world. Congress is a team sport, after all. One could do a similar treatment of John McCain's past year, too. What' is really instructive about all of this is the list of items each Senator sponsored. Both Clinton and Obama are very progressive. Both have introduced bills to protect the middle class, aid veterans, and increase public safety oversight.
So, what of their differences? While it is statistically true to say that Obama and Clinton have voted together over 90 percent of the time, during their overlapping time in the Senate, they have also voted differently 40 times. The important issues, nicely outlined by the Washington Post, have largely to do with energy.
Clinton voted against an amendment in the Energy Bill establishing an ethanol mandate for refineries.
Obama voted for the amendment, which became law.
Clinton voted to expand oil production in the Gulf of Mexico.
Obama opposed the expansion.
Obama voted for an increase in fuel-efficiency standards
Hillary voted against the idea.
Obama voted against funding for pet projects (this one's tricky)
Hillary voted against.
Clinton voted to keep funding TV Marti, the American anti-Cuban station
Obama voted against
Clinton voted in favor of a measure that allowed confiscation of legally-owned hand guns during natural disasters
Obama voted against
So there you have look at the issues. The similarities and the differences. Govtrack considers Clinton the more liberal of the two contenders, but both push the needle toward the blue end of the binary color-spectrum.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 13)SARA R. HENRY10:26AMJan 9th 2008
HILLARY IS A MUST IN THE WHITE HOUSE DUE TO ALL THE G. W. BUSH VETOES AND GOING TO WAR WHILE ALL OF THE WORLD IS AGAINST THE AMERICANS AND THE DOLLAR. OBAMA IS A GOOD DEBATER, BUT WITH THE ABOVE PROBLEMS, CLINTON NEEDS TO TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE WITH BILL AS ADVISER IN ALL FIELDS.
redneckchic_8510:39AMJan 9th 2008
I BELIEVE THAT OBAMA IS THE WAY TO GO ON THIS MATTER... TAKE A DEBATE I SAW THE OTHER NIGHT... HILARY CRIED OVER AN ISSUE... IS THAT REALLY WHAT WE NEED A PRESIDENT THAT CRIES? THINK OF IT THIS WAY... IF WE WERE ATTACKED AGAIN AND SHE WAS IN OFFICE, WOULD YOU WANT HER TO CRY OVER THE LOSS OR WOULD YOU WANT SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE A STAND AND RISE UP TO PROTECT AMERICAN CULTURE?
E. Larcher10:56AMJan 9th 2008
As far as the issue up above, what did any of those issues do for our country in order to help unemployment, debt that America is in, getting our troups out of the Middle East, helping the poor in our country, education, health care. Those are so minor it doesn't even to be mentioned. To those people that think the Clintons are okay, let me remind you of the theft they did when leaving the White House in 2001. For example, dishes and silverware. Oh they said it was a mistake, but if they are so intelligent that they can lead our country, then they should be intelligent enough to know if something is their own or not, don't you agree? I do not, REPEAT DO NOT, want to see another Clinton in the White House because I'm afraid we will just keep on going the same way we are down, down the drain. This is not the time for her and never will be, another woman that is strong and intelligent yes, but not her. Remember all the trouble she had in the White House when she was First Lady concerning the Whitewater Case. Remember all of her parnters in her law firm were incarcerated except her and that was because she was in the White House, so don't tell me about Obama and Edwards how they are so dumb. Remember the past and think about that for awhile. I will also, I have been registered as a Democrat all my life, however, I don't vote for just a Democrat. I vote for whoever I think would make the best man for the job, so you can't call me a liberal, nor you can't call me a conservative, I'm just me and a woman.
jlc11:01AMJan 9th 2008
Unfortunatley neither of you commented on the initial statement. You ignored what was written and shared your emotional reaction.
Taking a look at the voting records sited, it appears that Obama is more true to his values with his vote. Maybe we will have a better idea of what to expect, if was to be the Pres?
Did anyone listen to Clinton's speach last night? She made a whole lot of empty (symbolic) statements. My question to her is, how will you address all these issues/"
Tom R.11:09AMJan 9th 2008
Clinton is the status quo, and we need to get away from the status quo. The Bush-Clinton years have to come to an end. Obama in '08!
imms11111:11AMJan 9th 2008
i am having trouble trying to understand, why a person with a a middle eastern name, middle eastern roots, and was schooled in middle eastern schools, where they are taught hatred to western nations, want to become our next president of the united states. it raises the questions, can he be an insider, can he be an informant, can he be loyal to the middle east? i think this is dangerous, america don't be fooled. don't vote for obama.
leeseel11:13AMJan 9th 2008
now we can see a woman president that she will cry for your support for every issue that faces the nation,the world, the universal and your family.
what kind of leadership are you folks choosing ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
LWiening11:15AMJan 9th 2008
Do WE really want a President like Hillary who cries when things are going rough..What do you think the thirs world would think a Our President being so weak. this woman flip flops on issues. On her speech last night after winning NH she was for the middle class. She does not even understand the middle class. Obama help me to get my Social Security Disability even when a lawyer did nothing..I would rather have someone WHO is there FOR the People then someone who cries over loosing soemthing that she does not deserve..
D Woodward11:16AMJan 9th 2008
Times are really scary! What is Hillary going to do
when a crisis happens, cry, what to do, what to do????
She is not strong enough to be president.
William Edwards11:16AMJan 9th 2008
I believe Hillary is the way to go. She may be a bit emotional at times and that seems to worry people, but to me that makes her more like the American people. I would rather have someone in office who isn't afraid to show that an issue is upsetting her than some cold hearted person who doesn't seem to give a damn either way. Hillary is smart, hard working, and not afraid to make the tough decisions that will best benefit the American people. No matter what her fellow politicians think. GO HILLARY!!!
teegn11:17AMJan 9th 2008
I was torn between Hillary and Obama, but now my vote goes to Hillary. I agree, with Bill behind her hopefully we'll see the deficit go away. What changed my mind was after Obama gave his losing speech his tone changed..He sounded like a Gospel Preacher..that totally turned me off. Hats off to Hillary..it's time for a big change and for a woman to show what she can do for this country.
Linda Sasada11:28AMJan 9th 2008
why does everyone have to combine names of celebrities like tom cat etc. it sounds so ridiculous and unprofessional.
leeseel11:29AMJan 9th 2008
A leadership with crying issue ??????????????????????
Men ! standup for Obama !
Be strong, do not cry like a baby, we don't need your tears,American is behind already, if crying can resolve it, it's not a funny issue, AMERICAN open your eyes look around the world and don't cry.
what kind of leadership are you folks choosing ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
rmdcox11:33AMJan 9th 2008
You all check out this site. This is the web site for the church that Obama is attending at this time. People need to check this out before they vote. Do we want this person leading our nation? www.tucc.org/about.htm. The President of the US should be for all American citizens, not just one group or devoted to another country. I am a southern Democrat however, I will vote for anybody to keep him out. Its not because of his race. I would have voted for Colen Powell in a heartbeat. I will vote for whoever the Republican's run if the Democrat's run Oboma
THB11:43AMJan 9th 2008
I was born on a farm in Ohio, moved to Akron when my parents took jobs in the defense plants during World War II, moved to New York when I was 17 and am still appalled at the uninformed prejudice that exists in our society today. (as exhibited by imms111) It dismays and frightens me to witness the insidious stupidity that we cannot afford if we are to preserve this small spaceship of a planet called Earth and to work together, as we must, to colonize other planets
Pam11:43AMJan 9th 2008
Hillary is the winner! If she can bounce 11 points in one day, she can win this election as well! Obama never made his views about Israel and the Middle East piece plan? At least we all know Clintons tried for a piece agreement which was almost signed by both parties! Obama was so wrong at his debate to tell the enemy that no matter it takes he will never nuke any nation ever! Even if it was his decision, he should never ever say that before even he gets eleceted! It is a dangerous message to our eneies! He is bright but so unexperienced and talk what he feels! It is absolutely a mistake! economic growth was proven at Clinton administration!
I think that media pushed their favor Obama and Romeny more than who really they are and what the voters think about them! Media should get their lesson and should not provoke Obama and Romeney any more!!!
leo8208011:48AMJan 9th 2008
You stupid people are following all the hype of this black man and woman running for president bullsh*t. Look up Ron Paul someone who's thinking outside the box and talking about real issues. People who vote for these two are not American and just sheep.! Thanks for reading my rant.
cc11:53AMJan 9th 2008
EVERYONE OUT THERE IS PAYING ATTENTION RIGHT? HILARY MAY HAVE CRIED -- OBAMA ON THE OTHER HAND USED THE OLD STAND BY---- HIS QUOTE- MY NAME IS BARACK OBAMA-I AM NEVER THE FRONT RUNNER-I AM ALWAYS THE UNDERDOG !WHAT DOES THAT SOUND LIKE = UM LET ME THINK ? I DO BELIEVE HE WAS THE "FRONTRUNNER" IN IOWA !!!!! WAS HE NOT ???
MaryAnn11:59AMJan 9th 2008
Everyone I have spoken to agree with my family and I when I say HILLARY CLINTON will be our next president...simply because she has the compassion to listen to the needs of ALL AMERICANS which is needed to help ALL AMERICANS and not just a few. She has the knowledge along with experience needed to GET THE JOB DONE in working across party lines in order to get bills passed, and she never gives up on ALL AMERICANS as she knows just what she is facing starting day one through the last day as president. HILLARY CLINTON has proven that our CHILDREN matter, our ELDERLY matter, our MIDDLE-CLASS as well as our POOR-CLASS matter regardless of race, religion, or background, EVERY AMERICAN MATTERS to her and that makes a wonderful president. OBAMA and EDWARDS both are smooth workers that talk a good talk but get very little done as proven in their passed records as we all know. Obama and Edwards are both are afraid of HILLARY, that is why they are trying to work together to push Hillary out BUT ALL AMERICANS have eyes and ears and can see for themselves what they are both trying to do. That is a weakness both Obama and Edwards carry with them as they both know HILLARY has exactly what it takes to lead ALL AMERICANS over the next 4 to 8 years. SO GET REAL PEOPLE...I have just described our next president HILLARY CLINTON. GO HILLARY...GO ALL THE WAY...YOU HAVE MY VOTE AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS....
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SARA R. HENRY10:22AMJan 9th 2008
THE WORLD IS IN A DISASTERIOUS SITUATION WITH THE DOLLAR SO VERY LOW SOME COUNTRIES WILL NOT TAKE OUR MONEY. EMPLOYMENT IS LOW AND UNEMPLOYMENT IS VERY HIGH. COUNTRIES ARE FIGHTING AGAINS THE AMERICANS DUE TO G.W. BUSH GOING INTO IRAQ. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS NEEDS HILLARY CLINTON WITH BILL CLINTON ON HER SIDE WITH GREAT EXPERIENCE. IT IS NOT A TIME FOR BLACK PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE AS A FIRST, WHEN THINGS APPEAR AND ARE VERY IMPORTANT.