I hereby resign the United States Senate

[qwerty]

Should Kerry give up his seat if he is going to continue to miss crucial votes?

And should Kucinich, who has not cast a vote since February 9, is going to continue to seek a nomination he dosen't have a chance in hell of getting, do the same?

[zorkpolitics]

Should Kerry give up his seat if he is going to continue to miss crucial votes?

And should Kucinich, who has not cast a vote since February 9, is going to continue to seek a nomination he dosen't have a chance in hell of getting, do the same?

Both Kerry and Kucinich should resign if they are not going to perform their duties.  In most places, having a "no show" government job is evidence of corruption.

Dole provided an honorable example by resigning his Senate seat to campaign.  I was dissapointed Liebernman didn't follow Dole's example, and now not surprised Kerry keeps his no show job.

[12th Doctor]

Oh course he should resign, but he won't.

[Lunar]

He is allowed to represent Massachussets by abstaining from every vote.  I bet you that his constituency would support him remaining their senator.

[Dave from Michigan]

Masschusetts has a republican governor there's no way he's resigning

[CARLHAYDEN]

With the exception of federalist, the comments made so far on this thread have been on the money.

Is federalist a kerry loyalist who mimics his idol by trying to take both sides of this issue?

[Wakie]

Did George Bush resign as Gov of Texas before his election in 2000?

[KEmperor]

Did George Bush resign as Gov of Texas before his election in 2000?

That's not the point he's making, its that Kerry is neglecting his duties as a Senator while he's campaigning.

[Wakie]

Did George Bush resign as Gov of Texas before his election in 2000?

That's not the point he's making, its that Kerry is neglecting his duties as a Senator while he's campaigning.

Ahh ... and Bush did not neglect his duties as Gov of Texas while he was campaigning?

[Lunar]

That's not the point he's making, its that Kerry is neglecting his duties as a Senator while he's campaigning.

Kerry has no real "duties" as senator other than to represent the will of the people of Mass.  He has no duties beyond this, only abilities, like the ability to vote on bills and whatnot.  I think that the people in his homestate want him campaigning 24/7 across the country, so he seems to be fulfilling his duties just fine.

If Kerry was in some other position that required constant supervision, such as presidency or governership, then perhaps it would be different.  I would have to consider it in whatever context in that type of situation.

[KEmperor]

That's not the point he's making, its that Kerry is neglecting his duties as a Senator while he's campaigning.

Kerry has no real "duties" as senator other than to represent the will of the people of Mass.  He has no duties beyond this, only abilities, like the ability to vote on bills and whatnot.  I think that the people in his homestate want him campaigning 24/7 across the country, so he seems to be fulfilling his duties just fine.

If Kerry was in some other position that required constant supervision, such as presidency or governership, then perhaps it would be different.  I would have to consider it in whatever context in that type of situation.

His duty as Senator is to represent the people of Massachusetts in the Senate.  If he is not going to vote on legislation important to his constituents, then I would say that he is neglecting his duties and his responsibilites to the people who elected him.

[Lunar]

He is allowed to abstain from every vote though, so long as the people of Massachusetts allow it.  I think his constituents want him campaigning constantly and don't care half as much as you do in New York

[Lunar]

But he is also getting a paycheck .

Yup, because his job doesn't require him showing up for work unless his constituency requires it through their votes.  It's not quite the same thing as a job at a fast food restaraunt where part of your job contract is showing up for work every day.

If his constituency doesn't care or would prefer for him to be out there campaigning, then what Kerry is doing is acceptable.  If his constituency strongly disagrees with what he's doing by not voting on these bills, then Kerry's behavior is not acceptable.

[classical liberal]

Considering the breakdown of Mass, I would venture that Kerry's boss (the entire state) has no problem with Kerry's attendence (or rather the lack thereof).