Y, N, NV, PY, PN and voting records

[Cappster]

I have been looking at voting records of McCain and Obama and I don't understand why a person elected to office wouldn't vote on a bill. I could understand missing a day or two, but I see a lot of NV which means not voting, excused, absent, and present. Lets take "Housing and property" issues for example. Each candidate has a NV so far this year except McCain did vote for the stimulus plan. If each candidate is so worried about the economy, why wouldn't they take more action with trying to help correct the housing crisis? I guess the reason why is obvious (each is trying to get elected president), but they are slaking on their elected duties in the office of which they currently hold.

Senator John Sidney McCain III (AZ)


Housing and Property Issues

Date Bill Title Vote Outcome
07/26/2008 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions
HR 3221 NV Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
(72 - 13)
06/25/2008 Housing Foreclosure Assistance Programs
S Amdt 4983 NV Amendment Adopted - Senate
(79 - 16)
05/07/2008 Optional Wind Damage Insurance
S Amdt 4719 NV Amendment Rejected - Senate
(19 - 74)
04/10/2008 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions
HR 3221 NV Bill Passed - Senate
(84 - 12)
04/10/2008 Energy Tax Credits Amendment
S Amdt 4419 to S Amdt 4387 to HR 3221 NV Amendment Adopted - Senate
(88 -
02/07/2008 Economic Stimulus Plan
HR 5140 Y Bill Passed - Senate
(81 - 16)

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_categor ... =17&go.y=6

Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. (IL)

Current Office: U.S. Senate
Current District: Junior Seat
Office Seeking: President
First Elected: 11/02/2004
Last Elected: 11/02/2004
Next Election: 2010
Party: Democratic

Housing and Property Issues

Date Bill Title Vote Outcome
07/26/2008 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions
HR 3221 NV Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
(72 - 13)
06/25/2008 Housing Foreclosure Assistance Programs
S Amdt 4983 NV Amendment Adopted - Senate
(79 - 16)
05/07/2008 Optional Wind Damage Insurance
S Amdt 4719 NV Amendment Rejected - Senate
(19 - 74)
04/10/2008 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions
HR 3221 NV Bill Passed - Senate
(84 - 12)
04/10/2008 Energy Tax Credits Amendment
S Amdt 4419 to S Amdt 4387 to HR 3221 NV Amendment Adopted - Senate
(88 -
02/07/2008 Economic Stimulus Plan
HR 5140 NV Bill Passed - Senate
(81 - 16)

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_categor ... =13&go.y=7

[KazooSkinsFan]

I don't understand why a person elected to office wouldn't vote on a bill

Two big reasons:

#1 They are out promoting themselves, their primary concern, themselves. Certainly true in the cases of McCain and Obama. Good choices parties.

#2 They don't want a vote on the record on the issue so the other side can't campaign with it against them (see #1)