As compiled by the Washington Post, McCain has missed over half of the Senate in the 110th Congress. It is a big deal that McCain has neglected his Senatorial duties, but it is partially excusable because he is running for president. While this is a huge percentage, and if I was his constituent I would be concerned, he has been in Congress for over 20 years and has a voting record history. In fact, McCain has missed more votes during this Congressional session than he has made.
Obama, has missed the third most votes of any Senator (trailing only McCain and Tim Johnson, who had a brain hemorrhage on December 13 and has not returned to the Senate yet). This means we really have no idea how Obama will vote once he is in office. If I was a real skeptic I would argue that Obama has neglected his Senatorial duties in order to run for President. But this is not a terribly strong argument given that IF Obama wins the Presidency he could not have his mind set on any bigger sights and once President he will have no reason to neglect his duties.
However, I still feel uncomfortable with Obama's lack of voting, not just because he has neglected his constituency or because he has not fulfilled his voting duties to the country as a Senator, but because he has not been forced to vote on important issues and really take a claim on the bills. What happens when a controversial bill gets passed by Congress and he needs to veto or sign it? Will Obama become the pocket veto president? I want to know how Obama behaves on important legislative issues of national importance and so far that has not happened. For all intensive purposes, Obama has only served one 2 year Congress term where he actually showed up for his job. Is this enough to qualify him for the job of President?
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