3 California Reps don't bother to vote on Cheney Tie breaker.

[Oakland]

Do you know why??? Dodd comes in on a walker four days after surgery.
another comes in following a heart attack - where was your rep?

Read whole story........
http://www.davidsirota.com/
--------snip--------

"The vote was on the GOP budget bill - you remember, the one that newspapers note "cuts $39.7 billion from social-welfare programs like Medicare, Medicaid and child-support collection." It passed by 6 votes. What's so outrageous about that? Well take a look at the official roll call and you'll see that 6 Democrats didn't show up to vote. They are:

Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA)
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)

Yes, you read that right - one of those missing six was Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) - the guy who heads up the Democrat's House campaign committee. You know, the committee that is supposed to be most seriously focused on developing a message and a record that helps Democrats win back the House in 2006.

Before we rush to full judgment, let's remember that it is possible that some of these 6 House members had really good reasons for not being there. But boy, they better be good reasons - and at the very least, we at least deserve to hear from these 6 Democrats exactly why they missed the vote. -----snip----------"

[bemildred]

1. I thought the whole "Cheney rushes back to vote" deal was a setup.

That sort of legislative drama does not occur by accident in
out modern, managed democracy.

So, if you accept that, then this needed to pass the House, so
that the dramatic "Cheney saves the Senate" vote could occur,
and just the right number of DINOs chance to have had other
things to do. QED.

[Oakland]

3. Duh!

Apparently, I wasn't clear. The point was that it would
never have reached the Senate as was IF the House Dems had
showed up to vote. Others in the House and SEnate,
despite issues (heart attacks, knee surgery, etc), showed up.
The list of Dems posted didn't. I asked, why? They are yours,
do you know?

[msongs]

2. sorry, oakland, but cheney breaks ties in the SENATE...

not the house of reps.
Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Oakland]

4. Duh - was meant for you.

Apparently, I wasn't clear. The point was that it would
never have reached the Senate as was IF the House Dems had
showed up to vote. Others in the House and SEnate,
despite issues (heart attacks, knee surgery, etc), showed up.
The list of Dems posted didn't. I asked, why? They are yours,
do you know?

[Ernesto]

5. Oakland, Welcome to the DU....

Please keep after this issue....

[Oerdin]

6. Typically

Congressmen from swing districts rush out of town to avoid voting on issues which might upset swing voters. It is chickenshit but they all do it. They vote for the easy stuff then run away when ever a topic which might offend some people comes up.

Just a fact of life for the average politician.

[laugle]

7. Oakland, thanks for the update...kicked and recommended!

[realFedUp]

8. I missed this the first time around....these guys have 'splaining to do"

These budget cuts were clearly unDemocratic.

[Ernesto]

9. Ya know, this thing really bugs me.......... keep it kicked!

Three Californios including, of all people, Jane Harman! WTF is up with that?
On edit, I wonder if more documentation on this vote is available......
Edit #2: Here it it folks, the sad story..........
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll670.xml
Hows about a little accountablity in our own party?