When you vote **before** a decision, you make a statement.

[Stinky The Clown]

When you vote after a decision ...... not so much.

When you announce your vote well in advance of formal balloting, you can be said to have principles, even if they're wrong in some people's view.

When you keep your 'personal deliberations' secret, you get no such credit.

Chris Dodd said he'd vote no, and did, before the decision.

Joe Biden said he'd vote yes, and did, before the decision.

Chris Dodd can hold his head high tonight.

[Ethelk2044]

1. As Far As I am Concerned Obama Can Hold His Head High As Well

[William769]

2. I just hope he doesn't hold his head to high while in Iraq.

Oh wait he won't be there!

[grmamo]

3. I totally agree!!!!

[Sparkly]

4. It's politics.

Remember the fuss and furor over the supplemental Kerry voted against?

This way, they can say their vote was symbolic and they weren't withholding funding for the troops. (Helpful in the general election.) But they can still tell people who didn't like the bill that they voted "no." (Helpful in the primaries.)

[Stinky The Clown]

5. My dear Sparkly .......

Tonight I hold Dodd in high regard.

I also hold respect for Biden, even as I disagree with him completely.

[Sparkly]

6. It's still politics.

I'm just sayin'.

[illinoisprogressive]

7. If you knew anything you would know Obama always votes at the end.

He waits for the crush to abate before going up. always
tonight he lingered because I think he was waiting to vote after clinton

[justinrr1]

8. Politics either way

for most of the candidates. I do respect Dodd's vote more than Clinton's or Obama's, but more importantly even though I disagree with Bidens vote he simply made a different political calculation than the others and everyone on this board knows it. Im still supporting him as he has a substantive plan which is much more than a symbolic vote. Pirhana I respect your decision however I hope you consider my previous sentence.

[polichick]

9. That's how I see it too.

Seems that the most politically calculating candidates are the ones who win though.