Why exactly was Weiner seen as a progressive champion?

[liberalpragmatist]

Let me say, first off, that I don't think Weiner should resign unless evidence of actual law-doing surfaces. But to be honest, while I enjoyed Anthony Weiner's TV appearances, I always found the love for him among progressives a little bit misplaced. Shades of John Edwards, he always struck me as more of a publicity hound than a genuinely impressive legislator. Weiner has been in Congress since 1999. All through the Bush years, he never made a major impression - he was a DLC'ish backbencher from a middle-class Brooklyn/Queens district, known mostly for wanting badly to be NYC Mayor and for being hardline pro-Israel. He abruptly became a progressive firebrand at the start of the Obama presidency when MSNBC made a big left turn, because he realized that a mayoral primary would be crowded and he could use those TV appearances to ingratiate himself to NYC liberals (who he had lost in his 2005 mayoral bid). Where was this outspoken progressive during the Bush years?

Nor was Weiner ever some legislative master. He was no Ted Kennedy, or Bernie Sanders, for that matter. His accomplishments in Congress were close to nil. All the legislation he would "champion" on his TV appearances - even that 9/11 Workers' Health bill - were entirely written and pushed through by others, with Weiner just hogging the attention.

I'm sure Weiner was reasonably liberal in his views. And I couldn't care less about his personal life - unless he violated congressional rules or broke the law, it doesn't concern me. But I wish people would stop falling for those whose progressive bona fides mostly rest on being "outspoken," and little else.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Start with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTh-Yu9RfF0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOqE4dzsDgk

[liberalpragmatist]

2. You're just proving my point

Like I said, I enjoyed Weiner's outspoken appearances, but that's all there was to him. If his tough talk were backed by - I don't, a record perhaps - of actually accomplishing something I might be more impressed. I'd also be more impressed if this progressive champion had been visible at all during the Bush years. All this leaves a sense that his outspoken progressiveness was something of an act.

[Xipe Totec]

4. With all due respect,

He's done more than you.

I'm just saying it's easy enough to be a blustering bastion of progressiveness on DU.

[polmaven]

31. And with all due respect to you -

is liberalpragmatist an elected Congressman/woman? Big difference.

[TheKentuckian]

58. Truth is that nobody is accomplishing shit for the people.

Getting things done almost always means screwing us over so actually arguing a different perspective is more than most accomplish palling around with fascists, radical regressives, and theocrats while focusing on not making waves and not pissing of the Chamber of Commerce.

[leveymg]

3. It seems, a la Edwards, that some will push you forward if they have something on you.

Wouldn't be the first time that compromise made strange bedfellows.

Was he ever DLC? What was Weiner's stand on the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, and the 2008 FISA Amendment that legalized universal surveillance? If he voted in favor of the latter two, there's some sort of rough justice here. Maybe not.

Thanks for your informative take on this. One of the few intelligent posts I've seen all evening on the subject.

[liberalpragmatist]

5. Voted NAY on the FISA Amendments

YEA on the other two.

[cali]

51. What's his stand on Israel?

[snagglepuss]

6. K & R.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. Talks tough on teevee shows, which is all the political junkies need

Weiner, that imbecile down in Florida, whoever else. Policy is for shit, as long as you're aggressive with the pundits.

It's all so dumb, yes.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[boppers]

24. Weiner, Grayson, Sanders, Kucinich...

Some folks prefer political theater to actual actions.

[Inuca]

29. Sanders does not belong on that list IMHO n/t

[polmaven]

32. Can you explain why?

:shrug:

[cali]

52. why sure. Sanders has serious legislative chops and a serious legislative record.

duh. you might actually consider educating yourself, dear.

[polmaven]

54. I asked for your reasons why...

not snark or nasty smears.....do we need a vacation "dear"??

[vaberella]

37. Nah, Sanders can be fairly legit. The others---not so much.

I like a lot of the progressives that don't get a lot of tv---like some of the dem Ladies. Powerhouses the lot.

[boppers]

40. Sanders is on my TV right now.

CNN.

Just sayin'.

[alcibiades_mystery]

39. I think Sanders is upright and serious: the rest of them are clowns for the simple-minded

[K8-EEE]

8. I don't know about "progressive champion" but he was

A really talented communicator for our side. I am bummed that he has what I think are career-ending "issues."

[frazzled]

9. You have hit the nail on the head

And described Weiner's political status with great precision.

It's a great frustration to many of us here to watch mere "outspokenness"--sometimes not even particularly sincere or backed up with any accomplishments or results--become the yardstick for political palatability. Talking about Two Americas or putting on a dog and pony show on the floor of the House is frankly very easy (and apparently may get you a lot of groupies willing to have your child or receive your junk shots). Trying to really do things, hard things, however, is usually met with scorn, because real legislating involves accepting less purity than merely trading in words.

There really is a big political rift here, and it's not based on ideology. It's about style and substance. Some prefer outspokenness even if it never results in a real thing being accomplished; others prefer nose-to-the-grindstone legislators even if they end up having to compromise to achieve steps forward. I honestly don't thing we'll ever meld those two stylistic preferences. I imagine there are a lot of serious Republicans who truly bemoan the fact that their party is left solely with the outspoken heroes, the Palins and Bachmans who satisfy the lusty needs of the base but have not and never will really accomplish anything.

I'm being rough here, but it's that kind of day.

[Solomon]

13. Excellent post

Give me the grind it out compromiser. :hide:

[polmaven]

33. I'm with you on that....

Any room behind that wall????

[Tarheel_Dem]

16. I can't believe all the gems in this thread, and yours is certainly tops.

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[Whisp]

22. good post. Grayson fits there as well.

seemed like a nice enough guy but theatre was his schtick too.

[Inuca]

30. Absolutely

I was never a fan and could not really understand the appeal. I kind of liked Weiner though :-(

[young but wise]

41. +1000

[robinlynne]

10. BECAUSE he is a progressive champion. Speaking truth to power in this day and age is

more than 90% of Dems in power do. Even those who have the power to make change don't.

[namahage]

20. "Speaking truth to power"?

Let's start with speaking truth to the American people.

[vaberella]

38. Yeah...that caught my attention too. He lied SEVERAL times to the American people.

Had he owned up to it...on one would be talking about it now. And his crying on tv won't sway my sympathy.

[Tarheel_Dem]

45. Another gem. This thread is full of them.

:applause:

[Kaleva]

12. Progressive Punch ranks him as the 54th most liberal member of the House

http://progressivepunch.org/

[ProSense]

14. Well, that doesn't say much. They have

Bernie Sanders as the sixth most progressive Senator behind Franken (1), Brown (2), Reed (3), Durbin (4) and Whitehouse (5).

Durbin more progressive than Sanders? Also, Brown and Franken opposed the climate change bill in support of coal.

In fact, they have Senator Menendez at 12, Kerry at 23 (though it says missed votes as Presidential candidate) and Wyden at 26.

What the hell are they scoring?

The problem with these rankings is that they can be manipulated based on what the scorers consider key bills.

Menendez is my Senator, and he is no where as progressive as Kerry, not even close.

He voted for the 2006 Military Commission Act, opposed Obama's initial Cuba policy and supports the death penalty.

Kucinich is ranked 76th, Van Hollen 67, Nancy Pelosi 18.

[boppers]

26. Here's how they score:

http://progressivepunch.org/whatIsProgScore.html

That's why purity tests actually *don't* count, it's based on bill voting, not the bill content, or rhetoric, speeches, etc.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. What you said!

:applause:

[Armstead]

17. Politics is a team where people should go with their strengths

I think in any team you have people who have specific skills and strengths, and that is what they contribute. In football, someone who is a great place kicker would be a lousy lineman.

In politicics there are people who are good at the behind the scenes maneuvering, and others who are good at public advocacy.

MY own congressman' for exalmple is a very consistent and solid progressive who manages to quietly and successfully support and work through nuts and bolts bills that make a lot of difference. But he is also boring as a box of rocks. So he is a better and more effective progressive legislator behind the scenes than Weiner, but he is not the one to be passionately advocating


I think people appreciate Weiner in the last couple of years because he is good attack dog, or cheerleader...He won me over by championing single payer during the health care debate.

His strength is his outspoken, no-frills willingness and ability to get to the progressive core of issues. He's got a big mouth and he knows how to use it.

That is an important role in a system where too many Democratic politicians hem and hawv and avoid addressing the real issues, or advocate phony compromises and sell outs

People like Weiner may not be great and hammering out the actual policies, but he is helpful in stating the case, and defending against lies from the other side.

Perhaps the word should be "was" because he screwed the pooch and lost a lot of credibility personally...This will either sink him, or else he will tough it out and get to the other side like Bill Clinton and Barnett Frank did...Time will tell on that, I guess.

[karynnj]

18. I would say that Weiner is good rallying the base and throwing raw meat to focus

their action. I would NOT say he was good stating the case, because his manner of doing that means that not even all Democrats would listen to him. I would argue that "stating the case" is a skill better given to people like Durbin and Kerry, who can describe the merits of the Democratic proposals and the flaws of teh Republican proposals in clear, civil tones. I would imagine that either of them would convert more of the convertible people who are not yet in agreement with us.

PS I never knew Barney Frank's official first name.

[Phx_Dem]

19. He screamed at some Republicans. That's about all it takes.

Consider that bombastic embarrassment from Florida, Alan Grayson. They loved him too.

[Jennicut]

34. Some like the attention rather then the actual hard work.

But true of any profession I suppose.

[vaberella]

36. I'd have to agree. And to Phx_Dem---I hate when they scream, so annoying.n/t

[CakeGrrl]

49. Which makes it ironic that those who don't have disdain for the President

are accused of falling for "pretty speeches and no substance" by some of those same people who hold the theatrics of the 'firebrand' Progressives so dear.

[Whisp]

21. I think you are right

where was he during the Bush years? Now he's playing all kinds of theatre. It just suddenly feels all fake and dishonest to me.

o well, next....

Weiner can keep his job but as far as I'm concerned, I have no trust in an adult man that acts like a 14 year old horny careless boy.
stupid little man.

[DCBob]

23. Maybe his twittering prowess.

[Number23]

25. What an interesting, intelligent post

Thanks for posting this. Knowing next to nothing about Anthony Weiner, I certainly can't say what it is about him that makes him so beloved amongst some liberal quarters, but your question is a very good one.

You are certainly not the only person to make this observation. For every Dennis Kucinich lover out there, there are probably 10 who either think he's a loon or are scratching their heads trying to figure out exactly WHAT it is about this man that has people under his spell. He is an excellent example of the type of person that you're talking about -- excellent, soaring, wonderful rhetoric but very little in terms of passing actual policy or legislation. And yet, when confronted with this fact that his legislative accomplishments are practically nil (not compromised, not watered down -- NIL), so many of his admirers just dig in deeper.

Folks I'm sure can come up with a thousand reasons why he's been so ineffective ("he's too much of a progressive for the DLC slimemasters in Congress!!one!") but the bottom line is, if you are not able to enact the policy you wish to, or not even a PIECE of the policy that you want to, then you are about as handy and helpful as a bucket of bellybutton lint. If you can't pass any legislation, if you can't make any of that soaring rhetoric you love to put forth come to fruition -- WHO ARE YOU HELPING?

Grayson in Florida would seem to be another example (though I wouldn't be surprised if he were to pop back up again somewhere). I find it so interesting that so many of the liberal lions that so-called progressives love to put forth as "liberal challengers" to the president get knocked down before they even get started.

[liberalpragmatist]

27. I don't wish Weiner ill

As I said, I couldn't care less about his personal life. What he did was stupid, but I hope for his sake he can pick up the pieces and move on.

Moreover, I don't have anything against his TV appearances and his outspokenness - I'm all for it. I just don't think they alone made him into a progressive champion, and even as persuasive rhetoric they fell a little short, considering he was usually just preaching to the choir. A little perspective is all I ask of people.

[Mimosa]

28. Excellent analysis, LP. n/t

[vaberella]

35. He's fairly liberal zionist. I see him to be very liberal on most issues.

But when Israel is thrown into the mix...he'll defend them to no end, when he has to admit they go to far at times.

[boppers]

42. "liberal zionist" is like "liberal evangelical".

When it comes to a conflict of faith and politics, they go conservative.

[vaberella]

50. Yeah...I guess you're right.

I just find domestically he's fairly liberal. Israel comes into the conversation and a switch turns on---and he's far from liberal.

[RBInMaine]

43. What's wrong with being tough and outspoken on what you believe?

[Bake]

44. A grandstander who talks the talks but doesn't walk the walk, perhaps?

Hmm .. takes credit for the work of other Dems ... too busy promoting himself on TV to actually do any real legislative work that helps his party ...

And we're wondering why the Dems in Congress aren't rushing to his defense? Because he's a schmuck, perhaps?

Bake

[xphile]

60. Apparently with some it's better to compromise your position before you even start

negotiating. Capitulation is strength.

It's like 19 fucking 84 around here.

[quiller4]

46. He is a talented communicator but he is not a hard working

representative. He has been very good at taking public credit for the work of others. That is one of the reasons he has so few friends even in the progressive caucus.

I know that others have done much worse and survived but the Weiner story is overwhelming everything else on the air waves now. Until this story broke, Dems were doing well advancing their critique of the Ryan plan.

It is time for Weiner to step down for the good of the party, perhaps with an announcement that he is seeking treatment of some kind. If he exits before this drags on much longer, he will have a chance to resurrect his political career at a later date. If he doesn't, then in all probability his district will be redistricted out of existence.

[girl_interrupted]

47. This is why

Anthony Weiner Scandal: In Congressman's District, A Chorus Of Cheers

According to a recent poll by Marist and NY1, 56 percent of those interviewed said that Weiner shouldn't resign, while only 33 percent said he should (12 percent said they hadn't made up their minds).

Even now, he doesn't seem much in danger of losing local support, and nowhere is that support more evident than at the Queens Community House, a sprawling network of project buildings and community-service centers based in the Queens neighborhood Kew Gardens.

Weiner has a longstanding and closely intertwined relationship with the organization, which provides services and housing to low-income people. His district office in Kew Gardens shares a building with one of the center's branches, a sleek, tall, not-very-Queens-like office building outside of which a dozen reporters from the local press camped out Thursday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the politician hustling past.

But his main connection to the organization is political. Over the course of his 12 years as a congressman, he's consistently argued and voted in favor of funding non-profit groups that help the poor, and people at the community center seem to value this aspect of his governance that most. Meryl Branch-McTiernan, 28, the organization's communications coordinator, said she thought Weiner had been a powerful voice for "modest- to low-income people trying to make it into the middle class, as he says in his speeches."


Pullano, the director of the teen program and a longtime resident of Weiner's district, said he was disappointed by the media coverage of the scandal, pointing to the fact that the city's community centers face massive budget cuts. "It will affect thousands of families," he said. "It will basically gut the youth program in the center, the after-school program, the leadership program, the evening teen center, the outreach and athletics center, pieces of the high school transitions program and pieces of the summer youth program."

Weiner, he said, had always fought to protect those programs.

"And no one's talking about that,"


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/anthony-weiner...

[Raine]

48. I'm not in his district so I didn't know but my impression was he's more mouth

than action ... seems from most of the posts that that is exactly what he is.

[ClarkUSA]

55. I'm a New Yorker; I can tell you firsthand that you're right. He's like John Edwards in many ways.

Like Edwards, he lies like a rug to cover his cheating ass but used his pretty speeches to portray himself as a red meat populist with absolutely nothing to show for it legislatively.

Like Edwards, Weiner's huge ego and grandstanding media whoring alienated harder-working, less media-hungry colleagues.

Like Edwards, he's left politics involuntarily under great pressure created by a media storm he created with his outlandish self-righteous CYA lies.

Like Edwards, Weiner hopes to return to politics but he first has to weather an investigation whether he improperly used official resources to further his contact with women.

Like Edwards, he neutered himself politically.

Like Edwards, he has no friends in politics.

[xphile]

61. Weiner has no friends because he makes the rest of the caucus look like the spineless

cowards that they are.

They don't fight, they can't be bothered and then the claim that what they voted for was the best that could be gotten.


There were Dems who didn't like him before all this so let's not pretend that this foolishness has anything to do with why certain cowards who call themselves Democrats are throwing him under the bus.

[Vinca]

53. Because he had balls enough to speak out -

just wish he hadn't photographed them.

[Taverner]

56. Here's why - it's because he IS progressive

Anthony Weiner on Abortion
Click here for 16 full quotes on Abortion OR background on Abortion.

Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
Voted NO on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
Voted NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
Emergency contraception for rape victims at all hospitals. (Sep 2006)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Provide emergency contraception at military facilities. (Apr 2007)
Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)

Anthony Weiner on Budget & Economy
Click here for 11 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.

Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (Mar 2009)
Voted YES on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on monitoring TARP funds to ensure more mortgage relief. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
Voted YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
Voted YES on defining "energy emergency" on federal gas prices. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on revitalizing severely distressed public housing. (Jan 2008)
Voted YES on regulating the subprime mortgage industry. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
Ban abusive credit practices & enhance consumer disclosure. (Feb 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Civil Rights
Click here for 17 full quotes on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.

Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Nov 2007)
Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
Rated 87% by the ACLU, indicating a pro-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 94% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays. (Jun 2009)
Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)
Give domestic partnership benefits to Federal employees. (May 2009)
Recognize the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. (May 2009)
Honor the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. (Jan 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Corporations
Click here for 6 full quotes on Corporations OR background on Corporations.

Voted YES on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on more funding for nanotechnology R&D and commercialization. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on allowing stockholder voting on executive compensation. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 30% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record. (Dec 2003)

Anthony Weiner on Crime
Click here for 9 full quotes on Crime OR background on Crime.

Voted YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes. (Apr 2009)
Voted YES on expanding services for offendors' re-entry into society. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
Rated 50% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)
Moratorium on death penalty; more DNA testing. (Mar 2001)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)
Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program. (Jan 2007)

Anthony Weiner on Drugs
Click here for 5 full quotes on Drugs OR background on Drugs.

Voted YES on more funding for Mexico to fight drugs. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
Rated +10 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance. (Dec 2006)
Distribute sterile syringes to reduce AIDS and hepatitis. (Jan 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Education
Click here for 8 full quotes on Education OR background on Education.

Voted YES on $40B for green public schools. (May 2009)
Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001)
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3. (Mar 2001)
Rated 83% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Anthony Weiner on Energy & Oil
Click here for 19 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.

Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets. (Sep 2008)
Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
Voted YES on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on criminalizing oil cartels like OPEC. (May 2007)
Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it. (Feb 2001)
Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Member of House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (Mar 2011)

Anthony Weiner on Environment
Click here for 14 full quotes on Environment OR background on Environment.

Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on protecting free-roaming horses and burros. (Jul 2009)
Voted YES on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences. (Sep 2008)
Voted YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
Voted NO on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
Remove PCBs from Hudson River by dredging 200 miles. (Apr 2001)
Prohibits commercial logging on Federal public lands. (Apr 2001)
Rated 95% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
Grants for beach water pollution under Clean Water Act. (Apr 2008)
Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements. (Mar 2009)
Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)

Anthony Weiner on Families & Children
Click here for 4 full quotes on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.

Voted YES on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
Rated 8% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

Anthony Weiner on Foreign Policy
Click here for 11 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.

Voted YES on supporting democratic institutions in Pakistan. (Jun 2009)
Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
Member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s. (Mar 2007)
Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, as official US policy. (Mar 2009)
Allow travel between the United States and Cuba. (Feb 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Free Trade
Click here for 8 full quotes on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.

Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted YES on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Rated 56% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)

Anthony Weiner on Government Reform
Click here for 13 full quotes on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.

Voted YES on Senate pay raise. (Jun 2009)
Voted YES on requiring lobbyist disclosure of bundled donations. (May 2007)
Voted YES on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
Establish the United States Public Service Academy. (Mar 2007)

Anthony Weiner on Gun Control
Click here for 5 full quotes on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.

Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)
Close the Gun Show Loophole; restrict show sales. (May 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Health Care
Click here for 21 full quotes on Health Care OR background on Health Care.

Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
Voted YES on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
Require insurers to cover breast cancer treatment. (Jan 2011)
Establish a public insurance option via healthcare Exchanges. (Jan 2011)
Expand the National Health Service Corps. (Mar 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Homeland Security
Click here for 17 full quotes on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.

Voted YES on requiring FISA warrants for wiretaps in US, but not abroad. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on Veto override: Congressional oversight of CIA interrogations. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
Voted YES on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
Voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
Rated 89% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
Give higher priority to rail security. (Jul 2005)
Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays. (Mar 2010)

Anthony Weiner on Immigration
Click here for 6 full quotes on Immigration OR background on Immigration.

Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
Rated 17% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
Let illegal alien children attend school. (Mar 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Jobs
Click here for 12 full quotes on Jobs OR background on Jobs.

Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Oct 2008)
Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
Rated 87% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
Form unions by card-check instead of secret ballot. (Mar 2009)
Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue. (Jan 2009)
Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination. (Jan 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Principles & Values
Click here for 3 full quotes on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.

Religious affiliation: Jewish. (Nov 2000)
Profiled in "Jews in American Politics". (Jan 2001)
Rated 83% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

Anthony Weiner on Social Security
Click here for 5 full quotes on Social Security OR background on Social Security.

Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age. (Aug 2010)

Anthony Weiner on Tax Reform
Click here for 14 full quotes on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.

Voted YES on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Rated 22% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Anthony Weiner on Technology
Click here for 10 full quotes on Technology OR background on Technology.

Voted YES on delaying digital TV conversion by four months. (Mar 2009)
Voted NO on retroactive immunity for telecoms' warrantless surveillance. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on $23B instead of $4.9B for waterway infrastructure. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on establishing "network neutrality" (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on promoting commercial human space flight industry. (Nov 2004)
Voted NO on banning Internet gambling by credit card. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on allowing telephone monopolies to offer Internet access. (Feb 2002)
Promote internet via Congressional Internet Caucus. (Jan 2001)
Facilitate nationwide 2-1-1 phone line for human services. (Jan 2007)

Anthony Weiner on War & Peace
Click here for 8 full quotes on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.

Voted YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days. (May 2007)
Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted NO on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
Solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism. (Apr 2002)
Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program. (Apr 2009)

Anthony Weiner on Welfare & Poverty
Click here for 6 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.

Voted YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention. (Mar 2009)
Voted YES on providing $70 million for Section 8 Housing vouchers. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on promoting work and marriage among TANF recipients. (Feb 2003)
Voted NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
Public jobs on community-based public interest projects. (Dec 2009)

[Taverner]

57. And the linky-link

http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Anthony_Weiner.htm

[Bryn]

59. Kick

Interesting thread...