Kerry 6th most liberal senator

[Mass]

According to National Journal. In a year without election, and therefore no posturing, this makes sense.

http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/talkingpolitics/archive/2010/02/26/mass-us-house-delegation-1.aspx

Full ranking here http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/02/national_journa_17.php

[Blaukraut]

1. I'll take it!

Lately I've come to appreciate JK more than ever before. Hmm, I wonder why? And you're correct about our local media. They are horribly biased, and it is really evident now. They never were very kind towards Senator Kerry, but since Brown came on the scene, you's think we only have one awesome Senator and that old,red-headed stepchild in the corner.

[karynnj]

4. But looking at the comments, I do see more questioning Brown's substance

Could it just be a honeymoon? Giving him a chance?

That said, much of the coverage shows him as not really having any fixed values, ideas, knowledge. It is a shame that they don't realize what they have in Kerry.

[Inuca]

2. I don't have the patience to try

to find out how the rankings are determined, but this sounds like BS (Surprise!). Burris among the 5 listed as most liberal? BURRIS?!?!? the only category where he belongs is "nonexistent". Also, Reed and Carding (both OK, no problem) but no Sanders?

[Mass]

3. It says liberal and is based on vote ranking.

For all its faults, it tends to be fairly good this year and Burris's vote record is very liberal, so is Cardin's. Sanders and Feingold are particular. They voted a lot with Republicans for bills that were not fully funded, and, because this ranking (like every other one that exists) is determined by how you voted, not why you voted this way, they fall way too low.

But I have to say that, contrarily to many other years, this ranking is fairly meaningful (Feingold and Sanders excepted, but there are always exceptions).

I dont put too much stock in it, but like that Kerry and our delegation are recognized as liberal.

[karynnj]

5. With Burris, it might be that he has been Senator for such a short time

- all with a Democratic majority and President, he rarely cast a "non-Liberal" vote.