Can Someone, Please Explain "Most Liberal" Label?

[louis c]

John Kerry is labeled the most liberal member of the U.S Senate. John Edwards is fourth.

Please tell my how this is arrived at. Not just who says it like some non-partisan group, but how it is compiled and which issues and votes are used under what formula.

I suspect pro-choice votes, preserving overtime, extending unemployment, increasing the minimum wage, funding and protecting public education, Health Care, and providing day care for working women with small children would all be liberal votes in the Senate. Where is the position of Pay-as-you-go budget balancing, isn't that a conservative position? If they are, wouldn't it be prudent for someone in the Kerry campaign to break this down, and show that these votes, in which a majority of Americans agree, are more main stream?

The negative connotation of the word "liberal" stems from the assholes from the other side grabbing a few, extreme votes, and having those positions define "liberal".

It is my contention that the "liberal" positions, taken as a whole, are much closer to the American main-stream than these neo-con positions.

So, to sum up, could someone at DU provide me with the actual information and votes that create the formula for these rankings?

[LittleApple81]

1. They have compiled a summary of Kerry/Edwards voting records.

I don't know where to find it (probably Bush*'s site?)

But why don't the come out saying I AM A LIBERAL AND PROUD OF IT? That was the "challenge" Lindsay Graham threw at them on Stephanopolous this Sunday.

[terrya]

2. Just my opinion, but I think we're beginning to see the resurrection...

of the word "liberal" again. After the 4 years of sheer hell that is the Bush Administration, you're going to see some people out there take a look at what it means to be a liberal and say "yeah. Liberals are ok"

Michael Moore has made the point that most Americans do have a viewpoint on issues like the environment, health care, etc that would be liberal.

[sendero]

7. I agree...

.... I think the word "liberal" is well on its way to being rehabilitated. When people start paying attention to the caliber of people who treat it like a dirty word, they realize that maybe just the opposite is true.

[Commendatori]

11. I disagree. Wish you were right, but

when Democrat leaders run away from the world like King Arthur's knights ran away from the rabbit in "Holy Grail," there isn't much hope. The term is "progressive" now, and I'm pretty sure it's here to stay.

[emulatorloo]

4. Not Bush's site. . .from Americans For Democratic Action

a liberal group and site

http://www.adaction.org/Campaign2004/2004PR_1/2004pr_1.HTM

2004 Presidential Candidates’ Lifetime ADA Voting Ratings



Sen. John Kerry                                          92
Former Sen. Moseley Braun                      88
Rep. Dennis Kucinich                                 86
Sen. John Edwards                                      85
Sen. Joseph Lieberman                              78
Rep. Richard Gephardt                             74

[emulatorloo]

3. It is from Americans for Democratic Action - a good liberal group

Only on DU is Kerry considered a reactionary.

Here are the relevant links

http://www.adaction.org/
--------------------------------
Voting history of the Dem Candidates on issues important to ADA (issues listed)

http://www.adaction.org/Campaign2004/2004PR_1/2004pr_1.HTM

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http://www.adaction.org/news.htm

<Snip

Each year, ADA's Legislative Committee selects 20 votes it considers the most important during that session. ADA's National Board and/or National Executive Committee approves those votes. Each member recieves 5 points if he/she voted with ADA, and does not receive 5 points if he/she voted against us or was absent. The total possible is 100.

<Snip
------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifetime Voting Records by State

http://www.adaction.org/sen.htm

[louis c]

8. Thank You

Just what I'm Looking for.

This is why I love DU.

[Make7]

9. John Kerry is labeled the "most liberal" member of the U.S Senate?

I was wondering where they got the info for this too. My first thought was Americans For Democratic Action. But if you look at their lifetime ratings for Senators, Kerry is NOT the "most liberal":

Kerry - 92 Massachusetts

Reed - 99 Rhode Island
Durbin - 98 Illinois
Feingold - 98 Wisconsin
Boxer - 96 California
Leahy - 93 Vermont
Wyden - 93 Oregon


Then I thought, maybe they used the American Conservative Union, but Kerry isn't the "most liberal" by their lifetime ratings either:

Kerry - 5

Boxer - 2
Kennedy - 3

(Note: the ACU ratings are 0-100, 0 = most liberal, 100 = most conservative)

So I don't know what source they are using to label Kerry the "most liberal" Senator. I'm sure all their information is accurate - they would say it if it weren't true. Would they?

-Make7

P.S. If Kerry truly was the "most liberal" Senator we have, I think this country would be in big trouble.

[Make7]

12. I think they got their info from the National Journal.

At least that's what other people are saying. Check this out:

http://mediamatters.org/items/200407120004

It's mostly about Edwards, but it does mention Kerry.

The National Journal requires membership and a 24hour pass is $25(!), so I was unable to verify this firsthand.

So even if they used the National Journal ratings, Kerry is not the "most liberal" Senator - unless you only count the ratings for the last year, a method which is intentionally misleading.

I'm starting to think this accusation may not have any validity. :)

-Make7

[rpannier]

5. It means...

they're the Democrats running for President. In 2000, Gore/Leiberman was the most liberal ever, 1992 Clinton/Gore was, 1988 Dukakis/Bensen was, 1984 Mondale/Ferraro, 1976 Carter/Mondale. I don't know about before then. If it was Zell Miller/Benito Mussolini then that would be the most liberal ever.

[porphyrian]

10. The told Bush he couldn't use "More Badder." - n/t

[vi5]

6. Kevin Drum at Washington Monthly looks at this today....

www.washingtonmonthly.com

If you take it as a 4 year average, this isn't true. If you take a one year snapshot from 2003 it is true.

[genius]

13. Most liberal means you supported "USA-PATRIOT, Homeland Security

and the IWPR.

[Kanary]

15. genius......

:hi:

:toast:

Kanary

[ThoughtCriminal]

14. In GOP Speak

It is automatically applied to whoever they are running against.

In a few years, they are going to be wondering how to shake the "Conservative" label.