Compare the Candidates

Image via Wikipedia Informed voters are smart voters. There are ways to get to the truth about the candidates, the issues, and where each stands in this election. Below are factual and non-partisan resources for discovering the truth behind the hype.

In one section, I did add links to an evaluation project a newspaper is working on of senators and their voting track record. The Washington Post is doing the evaluation as part of a “U.S. Congress Votes Database” project. All congressional votes since 1991 are listed. The site updates vote information several times daily.

The project is ongoing, and will continue to expand. The information provided in the project is all matter of public record and may be accessed free through various government websites. The Washington Post is simply compiling it in one place and in a highly user-friendly manner. Listed below are links to the sections for Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama. To look up information regarding other members of congress, please see the home page for the project.

What do the candidates claim are their stands on various issues?
Barack Obama

John McCain

What is their voting track record?

John McCain
Washington Post: “John McCain has voted with the majority of his Republican colleagues 88.3% of the time” in the 110th Congress. John McCain has missed 63.8% of the votes in the 110th session of congress.

Barack Obama
Washington Post: “Barack Obama has voted with his Democratic colleagues 96% of the time” in the 110th Congress. Barack Obama has missed 45.5% of the votes in the 110th session of congress.

NOTE: Because the claim has been made, I felt it appropriate to include a link to further info regarding the matter:
State Legislature – New York Times, Dec 20, 2007 (This is in reference to his voting ‘present’ 130 times rather than ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ on issues)

Side by Side Non-Partisan Comparisons:

ProCon.Org

Beyond the Media and Debate Accusations:
Who Tells the Truth, Who Lies, and Who Flip Flops on Issues?
Non-partisan evaluation of fact vs statements from the candidates and others

Bill and Resolution Sponsorship in 110th session of congress (Info via THOMAS – US Library of Congress)
McCain: 38

Obama: 129

Financial Disclosures – 2007

Barack Obama (PDF file)

John McCain (PDF file)

What I have learned through my own checking of the facts, is that both candidates have lied (or been given inaccurate information to relay in their speeches and interviews), both sides of the campaign have lied and been involved in ‘spinning’ the truth/facts, both candidates have strong points, and both candidates have flaws.

I don’t know how much more there really is for me to write about regarding facts about the office, the election, the parties, etc. If you want me to cover something else, please let me know – and if I think of something else I will add it.

Otherwise, this session of Dani’s Discover with Me: Government 101 session has now concluded.