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ProgressivePunch ranks Idaho's Congresscritters
Submitted by Serephin on Thu, 06/24/2004 - 10:50pm.
Click "read more" below post to see entire article.
There's a new website in town, it's got silicon in its veins, and it's fast on the draw. It's name is ProgressivePunch, and here's how they describe what they do:
There's a new website in town, it's got silicon in its veins, and it's fast on the draw. It's name is ProgressivePunch, and here's how they describe what they do:
ProgressivePunch is a non-partisan searchable database of Congressional voting records from a Progressive perspective. But we're convinced it's extremely useful irrespective of anyone's political positions.
We show the performance of members within 125 different issue categories, and detailed vote descriptions, thereby empowering you to zero in on what matters to you.
Many groups and organizations that set up their own rating systems include their own biases, intentionally or unintentionally. ProgressivePunch claims their methodology eliminates this problem, and that they "try to take human beings out of the equation as much as possible." Although, as they write on their website:
"The Progressive Position" by definition, is the position of the majority of the Progressives, not the position of the majority of the Republicans. We've tested this algorithm in the real world and it works extremely well.
So what does it have to say about Idaho's own odd squad of Larry Craig, Mike Crapo, Mike Simpson and Butch Otter? Before we show you the numbers, let's first look at an example of how a Democrat from our neck of the woods would rate.
U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana was first elected to his position back in 1978. Though I'm not sure everyone in Montana would call him progressive, compared to most Republicans in Montana he's certainly far ahead of the curve.
Calling up his name in ProgressivePunch, his progressive score in all issue categories (spanning a list starting at "Aid to Less Advantaged People" and ending at "War & Peace"), Sen. Baucus rates a progressive score of 72.60%, and a rank of 45/100 — not bad at all. So how do our Gem State GOoPers fare? Sadly, somewhere between whale scat and the Earth's core:
| Prog. Score (%) | Rank | |
| Sen. Larry Craig | 2.14 | 99/100 |
| Sen. Mike Crapo | 3.39 | 89/100 |
| Rep. Mike Simpson | 4.96 | 330/435 |
| Rep. C. L. "Butch" Otter | 5.73 | 314/435 |
You read that right — when it comes to progressive values, Craig is the 2nd-worst in the Senate, less than a percentage point ahead of Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a guy who puts the "nut" in wingnut. Crapo, Simpson and Otter don't have a lot to brag about, either.
Look at it this way — it's not that they're light-years to the rear when it comes to progressive values (which they are), it's that they proudly lead the nation in regressive ones.
Idaho, it's definitely time to throw the bums out.
Progressive Punch
I don't normally defend members of the GOP, so it's odd that I am writing in defense of one of our congressional representatives. However I feel I would be remiss if I didn't bring this up. Upon hearing of the Patriot Act, I became quite concerned, and then the "Patriot Act II" became available on the internet. After perusal I took action.... The Justice Department has never actuallly admitted to the development of Patriot II, especially since the fight against Patriot I is gearing up. Anyway I wrote both our Senate and Congressional Delegations. Of course, I got the usual form letters back from most: blah blah blah.... supporting our President in time of distress crap. Mike Crapo actually sent me a form letter thanking me for my support in the war on terror... Rah Rah, that isn't what I mailed him but he is very enthusiastic about terror apparently. There was one exception and that was Representative Otter... Mr. Otter sent me a personal email and if it wasn't written by him I will be surprised. It detailed his concerns about the Patriot Act and the erosions of personal freedoms unprecidented since WWII. Yes I know that really doesn't have anything to do with the subject at hand, however I was pleasantly surprised that we had at least one person elected at the Federal level who didn't think and run with the pack every freakin time. One person who was concerned with upholding the Constitution. If Butch represented me I just might vote for him, but I am in southern Idaho..... and that is saying something because I have real problems voting GOP.
Butch is definitely one of th
Butch is definitely one of the leading voices against Patriot, even though he's a Republican. I do give him credit for that.