RNC Research Dept.: NY TIMES: Obama's Vote in Illinois Was Often Just 'Present'

Nothing says experienced leadership like a present vote in the state senate.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/us/politics/20obama.html?ref=politics&pagewanted=print

December 20, 2007

Obama’s Vote in Illinois Was Often Just ‘Present’
By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ and CHRISTOPHER DREW

In 1999, Barack Obama was faced with a difficult vote in the Illinois legislature — to support a bill that would let some juveniles be tried as adults, a position that risked drawing fire from African-Americans, or to oppose it, possibly undermining his image as a tough-on-crime moderate.

In the end, Mr. Obama chose neither to vote for nor against the bill. He voted “present,” effectively sidestepping the issue, an option he invoked nearly 130 times as a state senator.

RNC Research Dept.: RNC Response To Obama NH Tour

“The only things Senator Obama and liberal Democrats are interested in reclaiming are tax dollars that never belonged to them to begin with and more power for bureaucrats in Washington that don’t deserve it. While Obama’s tour through New Hampshire has a catchy slogan, much like his record, it lacks credibility and seriousness.”

-Danny Diaz, RNC Spokesperson