The Senate Game

[Oldiesfreak1854]

United States Senate election in Vermont, 2012

Sen. David F. MacKenzie (R): 156,256 (53.10%)
Fmr. St. Sen. Doug Racine (D):  120,914 (41.09%)
Others: 17,097 (5.81%)

[Oldiesfreak1854]

United States Senate election in Vermont, 2012

Sen. David F. MacKenzie (R): 156,256 (53.10%)
Fmr. St. Sen. Doug Racine (D):  120,914 (41.09%)
Others: 17,097 (5.81%)

jeez... do I see a Jim Jeffords 2.0?

I basically went by Brian Dubie's margin when he won his fourth term as lieutenant governor in 2008.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Name: David MacKenzie (R-VT, Class 1)
Age: 75
Ideology: Fiscally conservative, socially moderate Republican
Previous Offices Held: Vermont House of Representatives (1977-1983), Vermont Senate (1983-1989), US House of Representatives (1991-1993), US Ambassador to South Africa (1993-1995)
Bio: Born February 9, 1942, in Brattleboro, Vermont, into a family of active, longtime Republicans.  His mother chaired the local GOP women's club, while his father served various positions within the local party organization.  A descendant of flinty, conservative Yankee stock, his ancestors include prominent Scottish-American minister and abolitionist Samuel Wesley MacKenzie.  During his freshman year of college in 1960, Dave worked on the presidential campaign of then-Vice President Richard Nixon, and four years later worked on Nelson Rockefeller's campaign for the GOP nomination.  In 1968, he again worked for Nixon, and in 1972 was vice chairman in the Vermont chapter of the Committee for the Reelection of the President.  As a college student, Dave participated actively in the civil rights movement, joining the Freedom Rides through the South in the summer of 1961 and the "Freedom Summer" voter registration drive in Mississippi in 1964.  After graduating from Harvard Law School, he entered private law practice and became one of New England's most prominent civil rights attorneys.  His wife Donna chaired the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Vermont, and has Dave has introduced legislation every year since taking office to ratify it, while also supporting legislation to establish paid family leave and equal pay for equal work.

MacKenzie is widely considered to be fiscally conservative and a deficit hawk, while moderate on social issues.  He is opposed to legalized abortion and wrote a frequently-cited article for a law journal criticizing the legal rationale and precedent of Roe v. Wade.  An avid hunter, he is also an outspoken advocate for gun rights under the Second Amendment, but has voted in favor of "common sense" legislation such as criminal background checks.  However, he supported the legalization of civil unions for gay and lesbian couples by the Vermont General Assembly in 2000, and opposes the passage of "bathroom bills" requiring transgenders to use the bathrooms of their assigned biological sex.  He has actively pushed for a constitutional amendment granting the president a line-item veto and legislation to lower the federal corporate tax rate.  A member of the conservative, pro-business wing of the Vermont GOP (as represented by Lee Emerson, Winston Prouty, and the Proctors), he ran for the US Senate in 1994 and defeated incumbent Senator Jim Jeffords in the Republican primary.  In a highly contested race that gained national attention, MacKenzie attacked Jeffords' liberal positions on taxes, abortion, healthcare, and gun control, while pledging to form broad, bipartisan coalitions in Washington.  In the general election, however, he touted his liberal credentials on civil rights and anti-tax platform to score a narrow victory over his Democratic opponent.  His conservative stances on abortion and guns have alienated many in an increasingly liberal Vermont as of late, and his reelection prospects have never been a sure thing.  Can he balance between his conservative and moderate credentials to keep his constituents happy?

[Oldiesfreak1854]

ok, your next task is to PM me your requested committee assignments, as well as your voting record by party. Try to get them to me in the next few days.

What do you mean when you say voting record by party?  Like how often they vote with the party?

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Requested Committee Assignments
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry, and Credit
Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition, and Family Farms
Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy

Committee on the Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Energy
Subcommittee on National Parks
Subcommittee on Water and Power

Committee on the Budget

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Senator Dave MacKenzie (R-VT)
Voting Record with Party: 75%

Issue Positions (from On the Issues)

Abortion
•Voted NO on restricting UN funding for population control policies. (Mar 2009)
•Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
•Voted YES on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
•Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
•Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
•Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
•Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
•Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
•Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
•Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
•Rated 25% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
•Expand embryonic stem cell research.
•Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-life stance. (Dec 2006)
•Ensure access to and funding for contraception and adoption.
•Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception.

Budget & Economy
•Voted NO on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
•Voted YES on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (May 2009)
•Voted NO on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Feb 2009)
•Voted YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
•Voted yes on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
•Voted yes on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
•More enforcement of mortgage fraud and TARP fraud. (April 2009)

Civil Rights
•Voted YES on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. (Feb 2013)
•Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
•Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
•Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
•Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
•Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
•Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
•Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all. (Aug 2000)
•Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
•Sponsored bill for a Rosa Parks commemorative postage stamp. (Dec 2005)
•Rated 69% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
•Rated 20% by the NAACP, indicating a anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
•Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
•ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays.
•Constitutional Amendment for women's equal rights.
•Enforce against wage discrimination based on gender.
•Enforce against anti-gay discrimination in public schools.
•Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment.
•Honor the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. (Jan 2009)
•Leave legal recognition same-sex marriage to the states. (Jun 2006)

Corporations
•Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
•Rated 79% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
•Rated 56% by UFCW, indicating a moderate labor record. (May 2012)

Crime
•Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
•Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
•Voted YES on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
•More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
•Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program. (Jan 2007)
•Rated 73% by the NAPO, indicating a moderate stance on police issues. (Dec 2014)

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Senator Dave MacKenzie (R-VT)
Issue Positions (from On the Issues)

Drugs
•Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)
•Voted YES on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998)
•Decriminalize possession of marijuana, but keep sale a criminal offense (Jul 2006)
•Legalize medical marijuana for the terminally ill (Sep 2000)

Education
•Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Oct 2007)
•Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
•Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
•Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
•Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
•Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
•Voted YES on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
•Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
•Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice. (Aug 2000)
•Rated 20% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Energy & Oil
•Voted NO on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
•Voted YES on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax. (Apr 2009)
•Voted YES on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade. (Apr 2009)
•Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (Jun 2008)
•Voted NO on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China. (May 2008)
•Voted NO on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
•Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
•Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
•Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
•Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
•Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
•Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
•Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
•Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
•Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
•Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
•Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
•Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)
•Rated 90% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
•Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)
•$5 billion in tax credits for alternative energy projects. (Mar 2011)
•Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)

Environment
•Authored ban on Great Lakes drilling. (Oct 2006)
•Voted YES on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. (May 2013)
•Voted NO on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Aug 2009)
•Voted YES on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land. (Dec 2007)
•Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
•Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
•Rated 74% by the LCV, indicating moderate votes on environmental issues. (Dec 2003)

Families and Children
•Give parents tools to balance work and family. (Aug 2006)
•Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition, indicating a moderate voting record on family values. (Dec 2003)

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Senator Dave MacKenzie (R-VT)
Issue Positions (from On the Issues)

Foreign Policy
•Voted YES on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Oct 2008)
•Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
•Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
•Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
•Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)

Free Trade
•Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
•Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
•Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
•Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
•Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
•Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
•Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
•Voted NO on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
•Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)

Government Reform
•Voted NO on Congressional pay raise. (Jul 2009)
•Voted YES on providing a US House seat for the District of Columbia. (Feb 2009)
•Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
•Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
•Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
•Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
•Voted NO on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
•Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
•Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
•Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)

Gun Control
•Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013)
•Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains. (Apr 2009)
•Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
•Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
•Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
•Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
•Allow courts to decide legitimacy of lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Mar 2004)

Healthcare
•Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (May 2011)
•Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Jun 2009)
•Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
•Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
•Voted YES on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
•Voted YES on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
•Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
•Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
•Voted NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006)
•Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
•Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
•Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
•Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
•Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
•Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
•Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
•Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
•Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
•Leave assisted suicide laws to the states. (Oct 1999)
•Rated 80% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record.

Homeland Security
•Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)
•Voted NO on cutting $221M in benefits to Filipinos who served in WWII US Army. (Apr 2008)
•Voted YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
•Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
•Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
•Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
•Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
•Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
•Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
•Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
•Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
•Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
•Voted YES on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
•Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)

Immigration
•Voted NO on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
•Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
•Voted YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
•Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
•Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
•Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
•Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
•Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
•Voted YES on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
•Rated 35% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Jobs
•Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Nov 2008)
•Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
•Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
•Voted NO on limiting farm subsidies to people earning under $750,000. (Dec 2007)
•Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
•Voted NO on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
•Voted NO on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
•Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
•Rated 55% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a moderate voting record on unions. (Dec 2003)
•Index the minimum wage to inflation, no change in rates. (Mar 2006)

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Senator Dave MacKenzie (R-VT)
Issue Positions (from On the Issues)

Principles & Values
•Voted YES on confirming of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court. (Aug 2009)
•Voted YES on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
•Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
•Voted with Republican Party 74.8% of 323 votes. (Sep 2007)
•Religious affiliation: United Methodist. (Nov 2000)
•Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership. (Nov 2007)

Social Security
•Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
•Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
•Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
•Rated 80% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
•Rated 98% by ARA, indicating a pro-Trust Fund stance. (Jan 2013)
•Supports means testing for Social Security benefits. (Aug 2014)

Tax Reform
•Voted NO on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
•Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
•Voted YES on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
•Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
•Voted YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
•Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
•Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
•Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
•Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
•Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
•Voted YES on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
•Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
•Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
•Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
•Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
•Repeal the estate tax, close income tax loopholes that favor the wealthy. (May 2013)

Technology
•Voted YES on authorizing states to collect Internet sales taxes. (May 2013)
•Voted YES on $23B instead of $4.9B for waterway infrastructure. (Nov 2007)
•Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006)
•Voted NO on disallowing FCC approval of larger media conglomerates. (Sep 2003)
•Opposes Internet sales taxes but believes states should be permitted to collect them. (May 2013)

War & Peace
•Voted YES on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
•Voted YES on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)
•Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
•Voted YES on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
•Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
•Voted YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005)
•Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
•Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
•Voted NO on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)

Welfare & Poverty
•Voted YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention. (Mar 2009)
•Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
•Support reforms to help move able-bodied welfare recipients to work. (Mar 2009)