Since this is such a hot topic on the talking heads shows, and since his opponenets insist on casting Obama as a bit of inspirational fluff, I think it's important to know the facts about his federal and state voting records and accomplishments. You be the decider and check it out for yourself. You can go to www.thomas.gov and search under his name for sponsored bills.

 

You will see tons of them - bills and amendments on everything from supporting veterans to reduction of toxic chemicals to restricting oil companies' tax credits to limiting war profiteering and education, etc.. Most of these bills and amendments have not made it through the usual lengthy voting process yet, but he hasn't been a legislator at the federal level long enough yet for these to have made their way through to a vote.

 

The "Not Present" vote history in the Illinois legislature is also a non-issue as described in this excellent New York Times article that explains the political purpose of registering a Not Present vote under Illinois' state constitution.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007 /12/20/us/politics/20obama. html

 

Sorry if this sounds like just a big plug for Obama, but I think it's important for people to know the facts before they succumb to the hype.