John Barrow 2009’s 2nd Least Valuable House Democrat

I can hear you saying, “2nd least valuable? Is there a list of these people somewhere?” In fact, yes, there is – Nate Silver has been at it again. Through some complicated math-like stuff I’m glad I don’t have to personally understand, Nate scored reps on ten key votes versus what we should expect given the performance of the district. GA-12 is only D+1, but the numbers support what a lot of people here already believe – we’re entitled to more party loyalty from Congressman Barrow than we get. (David Scott is also on this list, but that’s because GA-13 is D+15. ‘Nuff said.)


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13 responses to “John Barrow 2009’s 2nd Least Valuable House Democrat”

  1. Sid Cottingham Avatar
    Sid Cottingham

    One of the best things about this blog is Mel’s comments. I do love ’em.

  2. Zaid Avatar
    Zaid

    “So what you are saying is that if Kucinich’s vote were needed, he would vote the party line. I am not sure that’s true. I assume you are also saying that if Barrow’s were needed, he would not, and that’s what they are measuring. I think that’s strained reasoning.”

    Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying, and it’s generally true (like when he voted for SCHIP the 2nd go round to override Bush’s veto after voting against the first time because of the last-minute ditching of immigrant protections)

  3. Ataru Atlanta Avatar
    Ataru Atlanta

    *shrug* I didn’t look closely at the “most valuable” list, and I didn’t realize GA-8 was as bad as R+10. Go Jim, I guess. He’s lucky SCHIP wasn’t one of the test votes.

  4. Stefan Avatar
    Stefan

    So what you are saying is that if Kucinich’s vote were needed, he would vote the party line. I am not sure that’s true. I assume you are also saying that if Barrow’s were needed, he would not, and that’s what they are measuring. I think that’s strained reasoning.

  5. Zaid Avatar
    Zaid

    ” If fact, were he listed, Kucinich would be the LEAST valuable democrat.”

    The big different is that Dennis’s no votes on big Dem. legislation are typically lefty protest votes. Before they even call a vote Pelosi makes sure they have all the votes that they need, so Dennis knows he can safely vote no in protest. Whereas Barrow is ideologically opposed and openly sides with the Republicans. Also, Dennis votes with Dems about 92% of the time, I believe.

  6. Mouth of the South Avatar
    Mouth of the South

    Oh, and in addition, voting against something that passes is pretty much fine, the legislation that does not pass would be more informative.

  7. Mouth of the South Avatar
    Mouth of the South

    Two points:

    1) Attack Barrow, fine, but fail to laud Marshall?

    He is the 17th most valuable democrat on that scale and not a word of praise?

    2) Zaid, above, complains about “squeaking by with three or four votes”. I am with him, but where is the attack of Kucinich? He voted against most of the bills studied, but Silver decides to omit him because they are liberal protest votes. But votes are votes, same from Kucinich’s district as they are from Barrow’s, but that’s a solid blue district who should be helping us but is not pulling in the right direction. If fact, were he listed, Kucinich would be the LEAST valuable democrat.

  8. BEZERKO Avatar
    BEZERKO

    Barrow, you are a sad strange little man, and you have my pity! Oops, sorry, been watching one too many Pixar movies!

  9. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    Barrow is a timid, self absorbed little man. I should start publishing his fund raising emails here. He thinks the earth revolves around him and that he’s the “number one targeted Democrat in the Country”. If only.

  10. Zaid Avatar
    Zaid

    I just want the mf’er gone and people to stop rationalizing his behavior. At a time important legislation keeps squeaking by with 3 or 4 votes, we really can’t have people behaving like this.

  11. innerredneckexposed Avatar
    innerredneckexposed

    Even if I did there are still several reasons that this doesn’t prove or disprove how liberal he is in relation to his district.

  12. innerredneckexposed Avatar
    innerredneckexposed

    I did?

  13. Zaid Avatar
    Zaid

    I remember IRE hilarious argued that he was more liberal than his district once.

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