From the NRSC: Just How Liberal Is Debbie Stabenow?

Just How Liberal Is Debbie Stabenow?

 

Washington, D.C. — Today the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) issued the following statement after a review of Senator Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) voting record by the non-partisan National Journal determined that Senator Stabenow is one of the most liberal members of the Senate:

 

 “This report proves what Michiganders already know—that Debbie Stabenow is one of the most liberal Senators in the nation, and does not represent the views of the people of her home state,” said NRSC spokesman, Dan Ronayne.  “Debbie Stabenow walks in lock-step with John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, and Hillary Clinton, not with Michigan values.”

 

According to respected political publication National Journal, Debbie Stabenow’s liberal score for 2005 is 86.3, making her the ninth most liberal member of the Senate, outranking nationally known liberals such as New York Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer and on par with Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

 

Year	Stabenow	Clinton	Schumer	Kennedy	Kerry
2005	86.3	79.8	77.8	96.7	86.7

(National Journal Website, www.nationaljournal.com, Accessed February 24, 2006)

 

And according to America’s oldest liberal organization, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Debbie Stabenow has higher liberal scores than Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, and is just as liberal as Ted Kennedy.

 

Year	Stabenow	Clinton	Kennedy	Kerry
2005	100	100	95	100
2004	100	95	100	25
2003	95	95	95	85
2002	95	95	100	85
2001	100	95	100	95
2000	90	--	90	90
1999	95	--	95	95
1998	100	--	95	95
1997	95	--	100	95
Average	96.67	96	96.67	95

(Congressional Quarterly Website, “Member Profiles: Debbie Stabenow, Hillary Clinton, Edward Kennedy, John Kerry,” www.cq.com, Accessed February 24, 2006)

 

PERHAPS THAT IS WHY STABENOW HAS RECEIVED SO

MUCH $UPPORT FROM DC-BASED LIBERAL INTEREST GROUPS

 

“Stabenow’s Greatest Financial Success Has Been Found Among Unions, Liberal Interests Groups And Trial Lawyers.” (Jon Pepper, “Bush Clobbers Gore In Raising Campaign Funds In Michigan,” The Detroit News, August 9, 2000)

 

Stabenow “Is Backed By A Number Of Liberal Interests.”  “Ms. Stabenow, 55, is backed by a number of liberal interests, including the pro-choice Emily’s List, and as a member of the House she received a 100 percent rating from NARAL for her pro-choice voting record.”  (Steve Miller, “Michigan Minister Eyes Senate Bid,” The Washington Times, September 5, 2005)

 

For Stabenow’s 2006 Campaign, “Controversial Feminist Money Machine” EMILY’s List “Expects To Pump Millions Of Dollars Into Michigan.”  “Emily’s List, the powerful and controversial feminist money machine, expects to pump millions of dollars into Michigan in a record-breaking effort to re-elect two of its biggest political stars – Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Debbie Stabenow.”  (Deb Price, “Women Pour Cash Into Michigan,” The Detroit News, November 21, 2005)

 

Ø      Through December 2005, Stabenow Had Received Over $250,000 In Special Interest Largesse From EMILY’s List.  According to EMILY’s List finance records on file with the Federal Election Commission, EMILY’s List directed or bundled $258,477 to Stabenow’s campaign through December 2005.  (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed February 24, 2006)

 

In Stabenow’s 2000 Senate Campaign, EMILY’s List And Its Members Gave Her $1.4 Million, “Nearly One-Fifth Of Her Total.”  “In 2000, Emily’s List sent $1.4 million to Stabenow – nearly one-fifth of her total – and more than $600,000 to Granholm two years later.  This time, the group’s members are expected to open their purses even more generously, setting off an escalating spending war with Republicans who believe both first-termers can be knocked off.”  (Deb Price, “Women Pour Cash Into Michigan,” The Detroit News, November 21, 2005)

 

EMILY’s List Promises To Do “Whatever It Takes” To Get Debbie Stabenow Re-Elected.” “‘You are going to see every aspect of Emily’s List in Michigan – donations, campaign training, voter education,’ promises the group’s political director, Karen White.  ‘Emily’s List will do whatever it takes to see that Debbie Stabenow and Jennifer Granholm are re-elected.’”  (Deb Price, “Women Pour Cash Into Michigan,” The Detroit News, November 21, 2005)

 

Stabenow Is The Beneficiary Of Several Other Liberal Interest Groups:

 

Ø      Since 1996, Stabenow’s Campaign Committees Have Received $21,407 From The National Abortion And Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) Pro-Choice America PAC.  (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed September 30, 2005)

 

Ø      Since 1996, Stabenow’s Campaign Committees Have Received $33,690 From The Ultra-Liberal Human Rights Campaign PAC.  (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed September 30, 2005)

 

Ø      In 2000, The Radical Anti-Bush Organization MoveOn Contributed $31,649 To Stabenow’s Senate Campaign.  (Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed September 30, 2005)