Interest group ratings don't prove how 'progressive' someone is

[CTLawGuy]

I hear all the time from Lieberman supporters, and supporters of other conservative democrats, that said politicians really are liberal because of some number from a liberal interest group.

Those stastics are essentially worthless to prove how progressive or liberal someone is.

Why?

1. Most ratings are based on votes in Congress. But those votes are all given equal weight, when they deal with issues of unequal importance.

So:

a. voting yes on a bill to name a post office after Noam Chomsky is equivalent to a vote against the IWR.

b. a congressman who votes "yes" on the following 5 bills:
1. a bill to incrase funding for medicare by 1%
2. a bill to promote afterschool programs
3. a bill to decrease mercury levels in water.
4. a bill to promote a hybrid car promotion advertising campaign
5. a bill to order all black people rounded up and shipped to Africa.

would have an 80% progressive rating, but would in no one's mind be a progressive.


2. They can confuse and obscure the congressperson's position on a particular issue

Example: Joe Lieberman voted for cloture on Alito but then voted against him.

Either a group will consider that to be a 100% progressive position on Alito (only count vote on confirmation), or a 50% progressive position (counting both votes).

In reality, because of the situation, where a filibuster may have stalled the nomination, but where debate is closed, his confirmation was assured, what Joe Lieberman did was 0% progressive.


3. They don't take into account behavior outside of voting.

They don't factor Lieberman going on Fox news and bashing the anti-war position,

They don't take into account other statements (like Lieberman speaking in opposition to a state bill requiring hospitals to give emergency contraceptives to rape victims),

or activities in private life or other offices (like governor).

-----
Ratings plainly aren't dispositive of who is liberal or progressive, and I will continue to judge such progressiveness case by case.