Re the "he's the most liberal Senator" claim

[maui9002]

Heard it again this morning by that paragon of truth and virtue, Rudy Giulani, and I've never heard anyone from the Democratic camp refute that claim. I just don't think that statement is accurate, despite the rankings of the National Journal, the source of these rankings. Off the top of my head, Senators Feingold, Sanders, and Boxer are clearly more liberal than Barack Obama. It's interesting that the same charge was leveled against John Kerry in 2004, and I didn't think that claim was true then. From my perspective, Barack Obama, like Hillary Clinton, is decidely more centrist than even some progressives would prefer, and the notion that they're radical left wing socialists (which are the buzz words that Republicans use to try to scare voters) is just nonsense.

[apnu]

1. I'll never get this tired, a stupid and nonsensical talking point the morans use...

... I've heard, in the space of one year, that Ted Kennedy is the most liberal senator, and so is John Kerry. And now Obama. Can't these idiots decide on who the most liberal senator is?

Apparently the most liberal senator can be found by looking in whatever direction the wind blows, generally out of Limbaugh's flapping gob.

[rucky]

2. If voting against Bush = liberal, then voting with Bush = conservative.

What side would you rather be on?

[liberal N proud]

3. Every Democratic Senator who runs for President get this tag

It is pure GOP Bullshit.

If I were Obama, I would wear that tag proudly. Hell yes, I am liberal and accept other for who they are and feel that we should take care of each other and the plant we live on.
The question John McCain is why don't you care for others or the planet.

They want to make liberal into a bad word again.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. About the word "liberal"...

I'm researching various issues as I write an essay, including the corruption of words and their meanings in modern politics.

I thought some of you might find the following interesting with regard to the right-wingers, especially fundies, always denigrating liberalism:

"Liberalism has been under assault for years now. The battering of this grand political philosophy has altered the contemporary definition of liberal to the point that Conservatives use it as a profane word. They use it to paint a political opponent as anti-God and anti-American. It has gotten to the point that moderate and liberal Christians are afraid to be open about their political leanings. Sadly, it even affects their conscience and choices as they enter the voting booth."

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1019-24.htm

[globalvillage]

13. JFK on Liberalism

But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy


http://www.myleftwing.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=539

[maui9002]

17. Amen.*

[maui9002]

16. I would like to read that essay

Essentially liberal means to be for progressive change, and conservatism means to preserve the status quo and resist change. And socialist is used as some anti American slur--when in reality most politicians whom the conservatives "brand" as socialists are merely trying to enact government policy to be more fair-by extending the benefits and spreading the obligations to all of us on a more equal basis.

[Lorien]

5. I sure wish that he WERE the most liberal Senator

No one on Capital Hill-except Kucinich- is anywhere near as liberal as most DUers are. Obama and Biden would have been considered moderate republicans 25 years ago:



The vast majority of DUer rank right around the Ralph Nader mark.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Yeah, me too.

[Tarc]

6. It is the right-wing swill that toss around the term as an insult

Let's not act the same trying to deflect it. If he's liberal, then proudly say he's one, and stare down any smug asshole who's going to try to goad you into defending it as if it is a slur.

[BayouBengal07]

7. The most liberal Senator in America

is which ever Senator is running for President. Just like every Democrat wants to raise your taxes. It's all fixed talking points meant to masquerade as one-liner absolute truths.

[Neecy]

11. exactly

Gee, four years ago John Kerry was the 'most liberal Senator in America'. Guess they think people have very short memories.

[codjh9]

9. Regardless of whether he is or not, there is NOTHING wrong with the word 'liberal', and our

side should've STRONGLY defended that a long time ago! I'm damn PROUD to be a far-left liberal and strong environmentalist! It's the rest of the people I don't understand! :^)

[gatorboy]

10. Who cares? The only people concerned by this are the same idiots that are still scared of commies.

[Guaranteed]

12. Just say that that is what they said about Kerry in 2004.

It's just made-up crap.

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. He is far from the most liberal, which is why he was 4th down on my

list of choices, just ahead of Biden and Hillary.

But it is true, he is the most liberal senator who is currently running for the presidency.

[tigereye]

15. no, that would have been Rudy in the past!

it's hilarious to me that he goes around saying how conservative he is! :rofl: