The American Conservative Student Union, which operates the new Web site AbsentCongress.org, figured Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback’s monthly salary of about $13,767 against his 48 percent attendance rate in January, the month he launched his presidential bid. It figures Brownback owes taxpayers $7,060. Said David Ferguson of the site: “Normal American people show up to work every day. Why shouldn’t our senators?” (Sen. Pat Roberts had a 97 percent attendance rate in January; the only senator worse than Brownback, who spent part of January visiting terrorism hot spots such as Iraq and Afghanistan, was Tim Johnson, D-S.D., who is recovering from emergency brain surgery.)
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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71 Comments
RhondaDid you ever comment about John Kerry or Al Gore missing time in the Senate?Will you comment about Hillary and her no-shows?Even by this group’s rankings, Democrat Johnson of SD had the worst attendance.Brownbacks job is to be a politician.As a Republican, he is a vote against ending debate, which means he doesnt always have to be there, since a “no show” is a “vote no.”
RhondaDid you ever comment about John Kerry or Al Gore missing time in the Senate?Will you comment about Hillary and her no-shows?Even by this group’s rankings, Democrat Johnson of SD had the worst attendance.Brownbacks job is to be a politician.As a Republican, he is a vote against ending debate, which means he doesnt always have to be there, since a “no show” is a “vote no.”
Econ,
Brownback is from Kansas. Hillary, Kerry, and Gore aren’t. Or is that too difficult for you to figure out?
this is always brought up when one is running for president. I don’t think it’s a big deal, I actually prefer he not be in there voting.
It would have more appropriate if Tim Johnson could have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan, and Brownjerk had brain surgery … a frontal lobotomy, perhaps. But, let’s give him a break. If he’ll resign, effectively immediately, he can keep the money. Otherwise, pony up, Sam. Think of it as “tithing” if you like!
No, Paul. His job is to be a Senator, representing his constituency. It is not being another f**king politician. We have more of those to last 25 lifetimes.
I’ve said this before. If heck of a job brownieback is GOD’S Senator, as he himself has said,
And if roberts is BUSH’S Senator, which he has proven time and again,
Then who represents Kansas? Clearly neither one of these guys.
No wonder Kansas gets the shaft from the district. NO ONE is representing our state.
Other than corporate lobbyists of course!
If Brownjerk actually said that, and I have no doubt he did, that is absolute proof that God does have a great sense of humor.
Is everybody else getting “botted” every time they post this morning, or is it just “my day in the barrel”?
ANOTHER pic!
“I am sorry I could not attend the Senate. As you can see, I’ve got God’s balls in my hands.”
Everyone just remember to treat Ms. Sebelius equally if she is chosen as a VP candidate.
JR…
not funny.
Yes, Brownback is from Kansas.However, Bob Dole, the last Kansan to run for President, missed a few days prior to the primary, when he ran.Of course, after he had the nomination, Dole resigned to devote full time to his campaign. (That is how Brownback got elected, he defeated Bill Grave’s appointment to that post. The press has never forgiven Sam for that!)
The Eagle does readers a disservice when it reports things like this without any perspective. Proper perspective requires that we see how other Senators, who ran for President, spent their time, would it not? Therefore, Gore and Kerry and now Hillary and Obama need to be watched as well.
Being a politician is a JOB. Certain things must be done in that job.Location is not as important as results.How do you bloggers feel about the your “company meetings” ?? Does anything productive EVER happen at the meetings you go to?Much of what legislative bodies do is non-productive photo op stuff.Brownback is making contacts, learning nationwide issues, and doing other things that will help him in the Senate, even if he does not get on the Presidential ticket.
By the way, didnt Rolling Stone Magazine dub Brownback, “God’s Senator”??Sam is one of the most humble people I ever met in politics or anywhere else. I am sure that Sam is not comfortable with that title.He does not claim to be perfect. (How could he be perfect, when I disagree with him from time to time?)Sam does try to do the right thing, and he is not affraid to tell us how he comes to his decisions.We live in a nuclear age.I want all of my leaders to believe in God.Not a God that promises virgins upon Jihad martyrdom, but a God that promises His rath against those who spill innocent blood.
Interpretation will always trip up the devout. Brownback asks the right questions, most of the time.That is good enough for me.
“God that promises His rath against those who spill innocent blood.”
Wow, now THAT post is telling.
Anyone wanna put these anti choice operation rescue bots in charge of our government, knowing they believe a wrathful god blesses their hateful actions?
jesus wept
Holy Mackeral, Grrl.
If that’s true, the Republicans are in deep manure.
Look at Iraq.
And BTW, to the original poster, it’s “Wrath”.
I hope we don’t succeed in making English the official language–all the CONs will have to move out.
Remember when Cheney said he never saw Edwards on the floor of the Senate (during their VP debates), and later bloggers produced several PHOTOGRAPHS of them together on the Senate floor?
IOKIYAR.
BTW, Paulie, what’s Bonnie Huy doing with her time now that she got her CONservative arse kicked?
Let me guess, appealing her property valuations . . .
Paul, Paul, Paul: Politics is what gets people like Brownjerk in office, but, representation and service is what keeps them there. Brownjerk is going to find that out — the hard way. He’s toast, pard’.
Brownback has been a stronger advocate of the innocents in Africa than any of you.
He walks the walk.
Brownback left his brain back in the 15th century so maybe he does have an excuse.
But Paul, you didn’t answer my question–who’s going to protect 14 year old girls’ right to get married now that Bonnie Huy no longer champions that important issue?
I am curious why no one is picking up on the criticism that Brownback is getting paid to do a full-time job, and is accepting the salary of a full-time employee of the People, yet he is absenting himself from the workplace to pursue a personal agenda. How can he legitimately claim the mantel of moral leadership when he is being paid by the taxpayers to run for president? He is just another hypocrit in a long line on a long list of congressmen and women whose values change or get relegated to the sidelines when they move to Washington, D.C.
What a waste of money really if you think about it. He knows he hasn’t a chance in hades, so why spend our money like that?
“our money”???
You donated to his campaign, PMom?
Paul: Since when do you care about people in Africa? Give me a break!Darfur is about as much as our problem as Iraq. Solve the problems right here in America before you decide to take on the world.
No, GNutz: It’s called “matching funds”. I had actually given you credit for being (more or less), intelligent, please don’t disappoint me now, damnit!
Try this link on your liberal heroes attendance record:
John Kerryhttp://www.intellectualconservative.com/article3842.html
“For the eight years Kerry was on the Senate Intelligence Committee he was absent 76% of the time. This committee had everything to do with the intelligence community’s level of performance, a level of performance directly related to September 11th, the War on Terror and the informational breakdown before military action in Iraq. “
And try this link, lots of Dems arent in Congress much:http://www.congress.org/congressorg/voting/index.html
Paul: You know I’m Republican, conservative, and haven’t been a liberal for 40 years.
“Any man that’s not a liberal at 20, doesn’t have a heart. Any man that’s not a conservative at 40, doesn’t have a brain.” – Winston Churchill (circa 1936)
So, let’s not play that game.
Leave it to Paul Rossell: “Democrat Johnson of SD had the worst attendance.” Never mind that he is out due to severe health issues. In fact, I remember the glee on the part of some on the GOP side when it looked like Johnson might die – so their Party would pick up that seat. All too typical.
I suppose Paul is the sort who would fire an employee who suffered a serious illness.
And, hey, let’s make ‘em all pay it back the f**k it off money — cure the national debt? Sounds like a plan to me.
Heh heh Paul Rosell is ALL YOURS rm. From his posts here, I read that prollie Paul the energy shill favors Brownback for President. POOR SAM! Going for the trifecta Paul? Phil Kline…. Bon bon Huy… And poor Sam joins the list.
Are you suggesting, J R, that Paul might be the Madden curse of politics?
Ben: I think Rhonda (Couldn’t Get a Job at a Real Newspaper) Holman started that sh*t”! We cn’t argue that point, buddy!
No Clark, just the “wrong way wooten” of the blog!
rm,To my knowledge, Brownback has opted out of accepting federal matching funds.
No rm – she made clear his surgery. It would be like if I worked for you and always seemed to have the ‘flu’ the morning after a big televised ball game and you noted that the only guy absent more than me was the guy in the hospital after surgery. You ain’t slamming him; you would be appropriately slamming me.
And I remember all too well the glee expressed by some on the “right” when it looked like Johnson would die and they would get the Senate back.
My apologies for sounding cold about Johnson.However, if attendance is that important, shouldnt the Johnson seat be vacated?I pray for Johnsons recovery. I am sorry, I had an additional comment that I thought got posted, with the rather cold comment about Johnson.With out much research, you libs can see that John Kerry had some of the worst attendance ever in the Senate, but that does not matter to you!
rmI dont understand your previous post, none of my posts, on this thread, where in response to YOU directly.
rmI dont understand your previous post, none of my posts, on this thread, where in response to YOU directly.
Ben: Yeah, I agree there. But, anyone with half-a-brain knows that Brownjerk is a joke. I have no knowledge that Brownjerk as “opted out” of anything, and I’m not sure that you can’t “opt” back in at any point. Ben, my friend, the odds on you or I being president are better than Brownjerk! That’s the bad news. The good news is that we’re still ahead in the polls!
“sounding” cold Paul? Sorry buddy, you simply revealed your true self.
rm – you and I could run as a bipartisan team! That would be fun!
Paul ROSELL,
“…Democrat Johnson of SD had the worst attendance.”
After almost dying, and now undergoing rehab, Johnson has asked that legislative work be sent to him at the hospital.
And Paul ROSELL… are you UNABLE to understand that this is a KANSAS newspaper blog? Brownback = Kansas, Kerry does NOT.
“However, if attendance is that important, shouldnt the Johnson seat be vacated?”
The is ample Republican presidence of an incapacitated Senator remaining in offie to maintain the seat for his party.
What was it – four years?
Most recently, Sen. Karl Mundt [R] (coincidentally, also from South Dakota) suffered a stroke in 1969 and was incapacitated, but he refused to step down. He remained in office until January 1973, when his term expired. Mundt was pressured repeatedly to step down during his illness, but he demanded that the governor promise to appoint his wife. The governor refused, and Mundt remained in office.
“However, if attendance is that important, shouldnt the Johnson seat be vacated?”
The is ample Republican presidence of an incapacitated Senator remaining in offie to maintain the seat for his party.
What was it – four years?
Most recently, Sen. Karl Mundt [R] (coincidentally, also from South Dakota) suffered a stroke in 1969 and was incapacitated, but he refused to step down. He remained in office until January 1973, when his term expired. Mundt was pressured repeatedly to step down during his illness, but he demanded that the governor promise to appoint his wife. The governor refused, and Mundt remained in office.
Paul: I do not doubt that Kerry was a joke. And I agree with you. What I’m saying is that “I’m on your side” and “Brownjerk is a f**king joke, too!” I don’t give a damn what they call themselves. These are folks we DO Not need! Screw ‘em all!
Paul wasn’t a cold hearted snake before he was one?
Heh heh
At the meetup, the editors told us that Brownback’s staff in particular were known to monitor this blog.
Maybe one of them will chime in and tell Paul to get off their side!
Ben,If you cant accept an honest apology, it says more about you than it does about me.This is what I meant to post, on this thread, when I brought up Johnson:
“If the President of the United States was disabled for this long, the VP would already be acting in his place. If the President of any major company was disabled for this long, we would have a replacement already.I feel bad for Johnson and his family, but is Johnson’s career more important than the right of South Dakota voters to be represented? I am content to let the people of South Dakota figure that one out for themselves. Likewise, I feel that the people of Kansas won’t punish Brownback for his understandable attendance problems, though his excuse is not nearly as strong. Again, don’t preach to me about the rights of constituents, in the case of Brownback, when you obviously care more about POWER by keeping Johnson in his seat!”
Again, my humble apologies, I thought that the above made it into my orginal post. It did not. I dont know why. You can disagree with my take all you want, but I think my post makes more sense with the above addition.
WSC: And, re: Mundt: Loyalty is not a virtue? And this ain’t ‘69. Times, fortunately or otherwise, time have changed.
Paul – If cheney were not there to succeed Bush and Bush were incapacitated would you be calling for him to step down and make way for President Pelosi?
BenYES!I disagree with Pelosi on almost everything, but it is important to keep pedaling the bicycle, even if it is going the wrong way.Stop pedaling, especially in heavy traffic, and none of us will ever go anywhere, ever again!
WSC: And, re: Mundt: Loyalty is not a virtue? And this ain’t ‘69. Times, fortunately or otherwise, have changed. And, once again, Rhonda or her plebes have “botted” me, once again!
Let’s see here – the Republicans would like Johnson to resign due to his temporary incapacitation, knowing that the Republican Governor of South Dakota would name a Republican as a replacement, throwing the Senate to the GOP.
What would be their response if Pat Roberts suffered the same situation as Tim Johnson?
Ben: I wouldn’t agree with Pelosi if it was midnight and the c**t told me it was dark outside! She’s the best assassination insurance this country could get.
WSC – that question was answered when there was discussion about ‘what if’ Brownback left the Senate – Republicans wanted the system changed.
Paul – excuse my doubts but the memories of certain GOPers glee when it looked like Johnson might die just tends to stick with me.
Paul ROSELL,
Exactly how does the temporary absence of Sen. Johnson STOP Congress from doing it’s work?
Not to mention that South Dakota citizens are still represented in the House, and by their other Senator.
From Media Matters, December 14, 2006
Hume, Borger, Cavuto falsely reported Sen. Johnson would be replaced if “incapacitated”
Summary: Several media outlets have reported that if Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), who recently had brain surgery, were “incapacitated” or “unable to serve in any way,” that South Dakota’s Republican governor would be responsible for selecting his replacement. However, the U.S. Constitution does not provide for circumstances in which an “incapacitated” senator can be replaced.
Actually this brings up an issue I have thought about for some time. The President can sign a Bill into Law anywhere – it is often done symbolically at various locations. Why not allow ‘virtual officing and voting’ for Congress? With modern tachnology I reaquently have ‘meetings’ with people in several states simultaneously. Why not use that technology.
One thing I would like especially is to keep our Reps and Senators home more – allowing them to debate and vote via electronics would let that happen.
WSClarkI think, when the US Constitution is “silent” that the State, itself, figures these things out.
I can recall that Ron Thornburg demanded a primary, when Dole vacated his seat.
There was no controlling Federal law, I think Thornburg said. So Thornburg relied on Kansas law.
WSC: He’s recovering … I think that’s a good thing. If I get “botted” again, I am f**king out of here for while. I’ve obviously pissed the Beagle off! F**k ‘em, I have. I’m going to watch the race!
‘Johnson Cosponsors Drought Assistance Bill, February 15, 2007′http://johnson.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=269360&&year=2007&month=02&
BenExcellent idea!Why is location so important?I dont think we scrap the whole system, but I see nothing wrong with virtual voting, for instance, if a majority (or 60 members in the Senate) want to go that way on a particular issue.
Succession – as we all recall Kline went in in JoCo because the Precinct Comm voted him in. However, there is no provision for that in the Constitution nor, I think, in law. Rather, if I am correct, it is really the Gov who appoints but BY TRADITION follows the precinct vote. I have been a part of such votes when we had a Republican Gov who would then appoint the Dem we selected.
Perhaps it would be appropriate for that to be extended to things like this. I can see a logic that, were Brownback to step down, he should be replaced by his party. Similarly, if Johnson did he should also be so replaced.
Thoughts?
Dang it Ben, that makes sense so therefore it cannot be allowed.
That would, of course, follow the will of the people, in that they voted for the candidate in the first place. Many people do vote in large part based on party. It would only be fair that an incapacitated politician be replaced by a member of his or her own party.
Now, can you do something about the Electoral College fiasco?
As stated previously, Thornburg relied on STATE law in the Dole vacancy:
http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatuteFile.do?number=/25-318.html
BenSorry, but Kansas law does govern this matter:http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatuteFile.do?number=/25-318.html
Same also applies to DA:http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatuteFile.do?number=/22a-103.html
I stand corrected. Interesting that for DA the Gov still appoints but that a ‘convention’ selects. I had thought it was just tradition. I notice that the statute seems silent on just who runs the ‘convention’. I had then suggested that we extend that idea to Senate or Congress. I still think it makes sense – if, for example, Tiahrt or Brownback were to leave office then I think they should be replaced ‘like for like’; i.e. their Party should choose.
By the way – I supported the right of the JoCo GOP to choose Kline. I bad choice in my opinion but still fully within their rights IMO.
They bitched and bitched about Kerry missing time from the Senate when he ran, but now since one of their own is running from the senate for pres., it’s no biggie! Hypocrites all.
I agree that Kerry missed a lot of time, especially during the 2004 election campaign.
However, 57 bills and resolutions John Kerry has sponsored over the years have passed the U.S. Senate.
Let’s take a look at one of the (former) top Republicans.
Bill Frist, the former, former Republican Majority Leader, sponsored 88 bills in the 108th Congress and zero became law.
Interesting RD – especially when you consider that his Party controlled both Congress and the White House.
I served as a Republican precinct committeeman in Johnson County for probably ten or more years. As I recall, from that position, I was also elected to a Third (Congressional) District Republican precinct committeeman position.
In Johnson County, there were some 300 Republican precinct committeemen and same for precinct committeewomen. Same for Democrats although there were less active Democrats in Johnson County.
Probably the same number of precinct committee people hold office here in Sedgwick County since the two counties have approximately the same population. I also served for one or two terms as a Republican precinct committeeman here in Sedgwick County.
These are volunteer (no pay)positions. Precinct people must file and run for office in the August primary election for a two-year term. The idea is that immediately following the primary election, precinct people will go out and pass out flyers, put up signs and generally help their party candidates get elected to office.
Another major duty is, as being discussed in this blog thread, is voting in political party elections to replace office-holders who die or are incapacitated. The idea is to save the expense of holding a special election to replace the office holder. I think this is a good idea since precinct people are presumably well informed and motivated to elect strong political party candidates to replace these vacant positions.
This is “grass roots” politics at its best, in my opinion.
NOW TO GET TO THE REASON FOR THIS RATHER LONG EXPLANATION. I THINK JOHNSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PRECINCT PEOPLE ELECTED CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN PHIL KLINE AS THEIR COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY BECAUSE CONSERVATIVES HAD QUIETLY REPLACED MODERATE REPUBLICANS TO THE PRECINCT COMMITTEE POSITIONS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
The same tactics are being used LEGALLY by the conservative wing here in Sedgwick County as used in Johnson County. That is, conservatives have worked hard to fill the Republican precinct positions with conservative, anti-abortion Republicans.
If you are a moderate Republican either here in Sedgwick County or anywhere in Kansas, when the summer of 2008 rolls around, you should file for precinct committee person and get out and work hard to win the position.
Currently, the conservative wing of the party is NOT DOING MUCH to support the grassroots level of politics. During the recent November general election, I received no political literature except in the mail, no visits by candidates, etc., etc.
Sorry for the length of this comment but thought this explanation might bring some light to the situation.
JWink, true dat!
The local precinct positions dont look like much, but if you want ANY party reform in Kansas, that is how it is best done. Quietly under the radar, and before any of the powerful pigs notice you’ve taken over the local machinery.
That is how Stan Clark and the religious right got a LOCK on the republican party in western Kansas.
It is also how western Kansas Democrats could teach governor leadership a lesson about ignoring the rural west. Of course, the folks out here would have to GIVE a rat’s ass about their future before that could happen. And pigs would have to fly and the Tim Peterson family dynesty would have to be ousted….
nevermind
wow, this is old, but I still need to add my two cents:
Econ101 (or I think you were the one being referred to as “Paul”):
About Brownback, he is possibly one of the most incompetent idiots to ever be elected to Public Office. His ramblings are incoherent. And to rebut some of the qualities you earlier ascribed to him:
You call yourself Brownback a politician. Heres the definition of politician “a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.” Wow, I want to elect someone with those characteristics. Another definition “a person who seeks to gain power or advancement within an organization in ways that are generally disapproved.” Woot! More great characteristics for a president to have.
He’s Humble? Excuse me? First off, no one running for public office, let alone President of the United States is Humble. Period. You have to have an ego (and a rather large one) to think that you are the most qualified person out of about 240 million to run the most powerful nation on Earth. Plus, hes just as evasively ignorant as the rest of them. When asked “what was your largest mistake” in a Republican Debate, his answer was “probably not telling my family I loved them enough.” Really? Thats his biggest problem? If he honestly believes that (and if he isnt hes lying to the American public which isnt a good thing to do) is his worst mistake, his ego is massive. Either that or he’s completely ignorant of the world around him. Take your pick.
You say he tries to do the right things, and tells us his logic behind his reasoning. Well, first off, his logic is unintelligible, so thats pointless of the start. Secondly, he’s possibly the most fanatical serving senator. How can such an obvious nutcase with such biased views honestly try to do the right thing? Again, the only way (assuming he isnt lying) is that his reality is detached from ours.
You mention that we live in a nuclear age. This is very true. Just another reason I dont want fanatics (be they Islamic, Jewish, or in this case Christian) running any nation, let alone the US.
You want all your leaders to believe in God? You live in the nation that helped to pioneer the modern day usage of the phrase “separation of church and state.” If you want a theocracy, please for the good of all that is logical, move.
You also make a jab at Islam, one that is completely and utterly biased. Not every Muslim is going to take up arms against the US, in fact its a very small number, so why degrade Allah as you do? And are you honestly insulting this Islamic God, when more innocent people have died in the Name of your own Christian God? Crusaders were promised the eternity in Heaven if they killed an “enemy” during a crusade, no matter what they had done in their lives. An enemy here means anyone that didnt live in Christian Europe (innocent Jews, Muslims and even Eastern Christians were slain.) That God doesnt sound very nice to me either.
I don’t mean to insult Christianity, Judaism, or Islam here. I personally don’t believe that God, Adonia, or Allah actually want any innocents slain, whether they be in the Crusaides of Christianity, Israeli raids of Judaism, or Muslim Jihadists. I dont want any extremist in power, because I believe in the founding fathers when they wrote the Bill of Rights.
Good day to you sir