NationStates Jolt Archive

Time Magazine recently released a ranking of who, in their opinion, are the ten best and five worst U.S. Senators. Do you agree or disagree with them?

The list:

The Best Senators
Thad Cochran
Kent Conrad
Dick Durbin
Ted Kennedy
Jon Kyl
Carl Levin
Richard Lugar
John McCain
Olympia J. Snowe
Arlen Specter

The Worst Senators
Daniel Akaka
Wayne Allard
Jim Bunning
Conrad Burns
Mark Dayton

Wow. Conrad Burns made it onto the list.

Why do I find myself believing that I'll find an op-ed piece in the local paper from Senator Burns about how great he is for the state of Montana.

PS: Conrad Burns eats worms!

PPS: And I think Herr Kennedy is on the wrong list.

I wonder what was the criteria for best or worse... seems pretty... haphazard.

Best Senators, Ted Kennedy, Yuck.

So, what? Did they throw darts at a tag board with all their pictures on it or something?

I wonder about Time Magazine's criteria.

By the way, where is Mrs. Clinton?

I wonder about Time Magazine's criteria.

By the way, where is Mrs. Clinton?

They were limited to only five, though!

In relation to what they do for their state, I'd agree mostly. In terms of their general contribution to the legislative process, I'd chuck Ted Stevens onto the Worst list, take Kennedy off of the Best list and switch him with Boxer.

The list-> vague and largely uninformative. Interesting conversation that's brewing however.

Here come the diatribes about how bad Ted Kennedy sucks without any sort of basis, other than he's liberal and his name is Kennedy.

As for Bunning, I think he is at least moderately senile and definitely belongs.

My worst has 100 people on it.

At the top though is that Clinton female.

Where is my Tappan-zee money bitch. I do not, nor have I ever, given a fuck about new orleans.

Ted Stevens belongs on *a* "worst of" list. I swear on this.
*commences mostly-incoherent swearing*

Here come the diatribes about how bad Ted Kennedy sucks without any sort of basis, other than he's liberal and his name is Kennedy.


Bingo!

He does the one smart thing a senator should do; he takes care of his district. That's why they keep electing him....

While I disagree with with most of the democrats platform my main reason for disliking Ted Kennedy is the fact that he belongs in jail. After Chappaquiddick Ted should have spent several years in jail not the capital.

Can someone add Joe Liberman to the list of worst US senators ever?

Can someone add Joe Liberman to the list of worst US senators ever?

NO!

You pot-smoking, baby-killing video GAMER!

And I'll have you arrested if you so much as think of persisting!

...

I knew you'd think it! Now rot in jail, gamer-scum!

[/jackthompson]

Both of my senators made it on the list :D

We may dislike Ted Kennedy, but the people of Massachusetts must like him, and thus he is good for them.

NO!

You pot-smoking, baby-killing video GAMER!

And I'll have you arrested if you so much as think of persisting!

...

I knew you'd think it! Now rot in jail, gamer-scum!

[/jackthompson]
Once again, you win the internets.

Heh--John McCain belongs on a list all right, just not the best Senators list.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/slemieux02/mchump.png

There you go.

Heh--John McCain belongs on a list all right, just not the best Senators list.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/slemieux02/mchump.png

There you go.

Homophobia. Funny.

Homophobia. Funny.
Oh kiss my ass. There's nothing homophobic about that and you fucking well know it.

Oh kiss my ass. There's nothing homophobic about that and you fucking well know it.

Yes, because they are indeed celebrating signs of affection between two men and not at all ridiculing it for cheap troglodyte laughter, implying weakness and a presumed negative submissive dependence, all in a nice pink package that attacks their masculinity. :rolleyes:

Yes, because they are indeed celebrating signs of affection between two men and not at all ridiculing it for cheap troglodyte laughter, implying weakness and a presumed negative submissive dependence, all in a nice pink package that attacks their masculinity.
Bullshit. It has nothing to do with homosexuality and everything to do with political sucking up. It's an example of a man (McCain) who was humiliated by his opponent (Bush) and who comes back for more because he hopes that by doing so he'll get another chance at the Presidency. There's no affection in that picture--it's more like McCain is the dog who was beaten by his master and comes back hoping that if he's good enough, he won't get kicked again. There's nothing even vaguely sexual in that picture, except what you put into it--you want to see homophobia, so you call it that. I can't stop you, but I can call bullshit on it.

yeah for richard luger!! indiana finally gets some respect from someone

Returning to the original topic of the post, why isn't Russ Feingold on the 10 Best List. He's the only senator with any kind of principles, while the remaining 99 are just snivelling, syncophants, unwilling to speak their mind in case it rocks the boat.

Here come the diatribes about how bad Ted Kennedy sucks without any sort of basis, other than he's liberal and his name is Kennedy.

As for Bunning, I think he is at least moderately senile and definitely belongs.

how about: he's a drunk

hehe

Ted Chappaquiddick Kennedy is in their top ten? Damn they have twisted standards.

If you guys hate your senators and congresspeople so much, how come you keep voting the same damn people back into office?

Causation and effect, people.

Ted Chappaquiddick Kennedy is in their top ten? Damn they have twisted standards.Kennedy wouldn't be in my top ten either, but Chappaquiddick was nearly forty years ago. Is that all you've got on the man? Let it go already. It's getting kind of pathetic.

Where the hell is Barry Goldwater?

BTW, Dick Lugar is the only Republican I've ever constantly voted for. Good guy.

My worst has 100 people on it.

At the top though is that Clinton female.

Where is my Tappan-zee money bitch. I do not, nor have I ever, given a fuck about new orleans.

*claps*

If you guys hate your senators and congresspeople so much, how come you keep voting the same damn people back into office?

Causation and effect, people.

Well they did vote bush back in... problems for sure

The list-> vague and largely uninformative. Interesting conversation that's brewing however.
No it's not, it is jsut going to be pages on pages of people complaining about Ted Kennedy.

No it's not, it is jsut going to be pages on pages of people complaining about Ted Kennedy.I'll try to deflect that a bit. How the hell is Rick Santorum (http://spreadingsantorum.com) not on that list of worst Senators?

And to be bipartisan about it--where's Dianne Feinstein on the worst list also?

I'll try to deflect that a bit. How the hell is Rick Santorum (http://spreadingsantorum.com) not on that list of worst Senators?

Because he's like Kennedy and that he does things for his district.

I'll try to deflect that a bit. How the hell is Rick Santorum (http://spreadingsantorum.com) not on that list of worst Senators?

Because he hooks up his constituents, just like Kennedy.

And, because the mistake has been made three or four times already, Kennedy is a Senator. He doesn't have a "district". There is a difference.

Because he hooks up his constituents, just like Kennedy.

And, because the mistake has been made three or four times already, Kennedy is a Senator. He doesn't have a "district". There is a difference.
I think the assumption is that all Senators hook up their constituents. Kennedy at least has his name on legislation--crappy legislation in some cases like NCLB--but it's on there. What's Santorum done other than gay-bash?

I think the assumption is that all Senators hook up their constituents. Kennedy at least has his name on legislation--crappy legislation in some cases like NCLB--but it's on there. What's Santorum done other than gay-bash?

Oh I don't know.... How about keeping jobs in the State of PA? How about trying to make our country just a tad more safer than it is today? He also has his name on legislation too Nazz. Most senators do.

Kennedy wouldn't be in my top ten either, but Chappaquiddick was nearly forty years ago. Is that all you've got on the man? Let it go already. It's getting kind of pathetic.
How about the fact that he was a complete f**king moron in the Alito and roberts hearings?

Time Magazine recently released a ranking of who, in their opinion, are the ten best and five worst U.S. Senators. Do you agree or disagree with them?

The list:

The Best Senators
Thad Cochran
Kent Conrad
Dick Durbin
Ted Kennedy
Jon Kyl
Carl Levin
Richard Lugar
John McCain
Olympia J. Snowe
Arlen Specter

The Worst Senators
Daniel Akaka
Wayne Allard
Jim Bunning
Conrad Burns
Mark Dayton

Can we have a linky to the sourcey? That might defuse at least some of the
complaints...

Where the hell is Barry Goldwater?

Dead an buried unfortunately. :( (Otherwise he'd be a good choice. Especially in light of what Bush and his MFing asshats have done to the Grand Old Party. :()

Where the hell is Barry Goldwater?

Not back from the grave, that's for certain!

Homophobia. Funny.
Over sensitive. If the John McCain figure, or the Bush figure, was female I wouldn't think it was heterophobic.

Bullshit. It has nothing to do with homosexuality and everything to do with political sucking up.
Yeah, it's like that time ARF-COM posted pics of that guy taking beer in New Orleans. Fass called it racist because the guy was black. That's what the joke must about. :rolleyes:

If you guys hate your senators and congresspeople so much, how come you keep voting the same damn people back into office?


Because we dont like change and we're stubborn, its an American thing

Where is Ted "crazy guy" Stevens on the worst list? That guy is the only thing that makes the republican party look bad.

Russ Feingold should be on the top 10 list.

well time magazine has officially lost it. that list is a complete piece of crap. basicly because of one man on the best list


The Best Senators
Thad Cochran
Kent Conrad
Dick Durbin
Ted Kennedy
Jon Kyl
Carl Levin
Richard Lugar
John McCain
Olympia J. Snowe
Arlen Specter

Bullshit. It has nothing to do with homosexuality and everything to do with political sucking up. It's an example of a man (McCain) who was humiliated by his opponent (Bush) and who comes back for more because he hopes that by doing so he'll get another chance at the Presidency. There's no affection in that picture--it's more like McCain is the dog who was beaten by his master and comes back hoping that if he's good enough, he won't get kicked again. There's nothing even vaguely sexual in that picture, except what you put into it--you want to see homophobia, so you call it that. I can't stop you, but I can call bullshit on it.

"I'ma get you love drunk off my hump. My hump, my hump, my lovely little lump." You can't honestly be fooling yourself so much as to even think you manage to fool someone else?

But, yes, it can't be homophobic. It was posted by The Nazz, who thinks it's not homophobic when he does it.

The fact he's a great swimmer and a bad driver doesn't subtract from his accomplished political career.

The fact he's a great swimmer and a bad driver doesn't subtract from his accomplished political career.
But his antics, and that's really the only way to describe them, during the judicial hearings do.

But his antics, and that's really the only way to describe them, during the judicial hearings do.

not only his antics at the judicial hearings but the events that led up to and after the situation

How about the fact that he was a complete f**king moron in the Alito and roberts hearings?
Why? Because he opposed a reactionary psycho? If anything, that raised Kennedy in my esteem. Alito no more belongs on that court than you do.

"I'ma get you love drunk off my hump. My hump, my hump, my lovely little lump." You can't honestly be fooling yourself so much as to even think you manage to fool someone else?

But, yes, it can't be homophobic. It was posted by The Nazz, who thinks it's not homophobic when he does it.
No, it's really a case of "if Fass says someone is a homophobe, then he or she is a homophobe, no matter what anyone says to the contrary." Piss off. The context of the original photo and the history of these two men is necessary to understanding the parody, and the only way you can pull something remotely homophobic from that parody is to ignore all the context.

Why? Because he opposed a reactionary psycho? If anything, that raised Kennedy in my esteem. Alito no more belongs on that court than you do.
Did you actually watch the hearings? Or were you assuming I was commenting on his political orientation, like Fass with his assumption of homophobia?

Did you actually watch the hearings? Or were you assuming I was commenting on his political orientation, like Fass with his assumption of homophobia?
Couldn't watch them, but I read some of the transcripts, but I can't imagine that I lost that much in translation.

No, it's really a case of "if Fass says someone is a homophobe, then he or she is a homophobe, no matter what anyone says to the contrary."

Oh, the picture speaks volumes for itself, depicting the men in an embrace, surrounded by pink and hearts, allusions made to sex, and all designed to make the idiot who would find it funny go "bwaha, fags!" It's not depicting one as the pudel of the other, it is depicting them as homosexual lovers. And that is supposed to be risible.

Piss off. The context of the original photo and the history of these two men is necessary to understanding the parody, and the only way you can pull something remotely homophobic from that parody is to ignore all the context.

And the only way you can keep claiming that it is not homophobic is by deluding yourself.

Oh, the picture speaks volumes for itself, depicting the men in an embrace, surrounded by pink and hearts, allusions made to sex, and all designed to make the idiot who would find it funny go "bwaha, fags!"



And the only way you can keep claiming that it is not homophobic is by deluding yourself.Say what you will--you are not the sole arbiter of homophobia, much as you like to act that way. There is nothing homophobic about that picture--it is an illustration of McCain trying to get some love--politically speaking--from Bush's base by publicly embracing Bush during the 2004 campaign. It's ironic because McCain has an undeserved rep as a maverick who is constantly opposing Bush, when in fact they're best buds.

Oh, the picture speaks volumes for itself, depicting the men in an embrace, surrounded by pink and hearts, allusions made to sex, and all designed to make the idiot who would find it funny go "bwaha, fags!" It's not depicting one as the pudel of the other, it is depicting them as homosexual lovers. And that is supposed to be risible.



And the only way you can keep claiming that it is not homophobic is by deluding yourself.
I think your reading FAR too much into the pic. homosexual lovers? not even close, if you understand American politics you'll know McCain is seen as a suck up to bush, thats all it was trying to show.

On a related subject, here are the senators with the ten highest and five lowest approval ratings, as of most recent data:

# State U.S. Senator Approve
1 ND Conrad, Kent 72%
2 ME Collins, Susan 72%
3 ME Snowe, Olympia 71%
4 NE Nelson, Ben 70%
5 IL Obama, Barack 70%
6 HI Inouye, Daniel 69%
7 SD Johnson, Tim 69%
8 VT Leahy, Patrick 69%
9 MS Lott, Trent 69%
10 RI Reed, Jack 68%


# State U.S. Senator Approve
1 MT Burns, Conrad 38%
2 KY Bunning, Jim 39%
3 PA Santorum, Rick 43%
4 FL Martinez, Mel 43%
5 TX Cornyn, John 44%

*frowns* I'm really surprised that Cornyn is that low (coming from my state). I mean, he's a little to the right of me, but so is just about everyone else in this state. No scandals to speak of. I would have given him the thumbs up.

On a related note, I wonder why Maine is so happy with its senators?

On a related note, I wonder why Maine is so happy with its senators?
Because they were smart enough to elect people who could do the job?

On a related note, I wonder why Maine is so happy with its senators?

Because they probably all know their senators.

Where is Ted "crazy guy" Stevens on the worst list? That guy is the only thing that makes the republican party look bad.
Well, i PERSONALLY appreciate your nomination of my senator, but you kinda lost it right after the assertion he's the "only" thing .... *tsk*

Halfsies i guess. *shrug*

Can someone add Joe Liberman to the list of worst US senators ever?

Yeah. If the ticket had been Lieberman/Gore I might have voted for the shrub or, more likely, skipped that election. I wish Joe would join the Republicans, where he belongs.

Where the hell is Barry Goldwater?

Um, not in the senate? Are you sure you are the smartest possible human being?

How about the fact that he was a complete f**king moron in the Alito and roberts hearings?

Only fucking morons ask questions in hearings.

*reads wiki on Ted Kennedy*

...:eek:

Ted Kennedy for President!

*reads wiki on Ted Kennedy*

...:eek:

Ted Kennedy for President!
too bad he killed someone, or that might work

*reads wiki on Ted Kennedy*

...:eek:

Ted Kennedy for President!

We've been down that road. He lost.

too bad he killed someone, or that might work

A car accident disqualifies one from the Presidency?

But a DUI doesn't?

A car accident disqualifies one from the Presidency?

But a DUI doesn't?
in America;)

too bad he killed someone, or that might work
That was an accident, as I understand it.

We've been down that road. He lost.
But that was so many years ago! Politics is so different these days, and here we have a guy who represents a real alternative to always the same tripe about cutting taxes, and raising spending on "homeland security" and all that bullshit.

People keep saying that only little more than half of Americans voted for Bush. Well, here is something for the other half. But what we'll get instead is another republican neocon against a pseudo-republican neocon.

That was an accident, as I understand it.


But that was so many years ago! Politics is so different these days, and here we have a guy who represents a real alternative to always the same tripe about cutting taxes, and raising spending on "homeland security" and all that bullshit.

People keep saying that only little more than half of Americans voted for Bush. Well, here is something for the other half. But what we'll get instead is another republican neocon against a pseudo-republican neocon.

Kennedy represents the establishment more than probably any other Senator. If you're looking for a guy that's an alternative to how Washington currently works, Kennedy is not your man.

Plus, he's like a thousand years old.

But that was so many years ago! Politics is so different these days, and here we have a guy who represents a real alternative to always the same tripe about cutting taxes, and raising spending on "homeland security" and all that bullshit.

Problem is, is his speeches will come back and haunt him. He's just as unelectable as Hillary Clinton is.

People keep saying that only little more than half of Americans voted for Bush. Well, here is something for the other half. But what we'll get instead is another republican neocon against a pseudo-republican neocon.

:D

I'll try to deflect that a bit. How the hell is Rick Santorum (http://spreadingsantorum.com) not on that list of worst Senators?Yeah, I was surprised about that too, but it won't matter too much as he's going to go bye bye in November.

I can't believe they put John Kyl on the top ten. Kyl should be swapped out for Feingold. Kyl is a colossal douchebag, and plays waaay too hard to the rising xenophobic-nativist movement. Plus, he was an aggravating dick when I met him, and he evaded my questions.

I can't believe they put John Kyl on the top ten. Kyl should be swapped out for Feingold. Kyl is a colossal douchebag, and plays waaay too hard to the rising xenophobic-nativist movement. Plus, he was an aggravating dick when I met him, and he evaded my questions.
Here's hoping Pedersen takes him out this November. I wonder if Time is trying to woo people in Maine and Arizona--both Senators from each state, all Republicans. Hmmm. Sounds like the liberal media again.

Kennedy represents the establishment more than probably any other Senator. If you're looking for a guy that's an alternative to how Washington currently works, Kennedy is not your man.

Plus, he's like a thousand years old.

I would say that you would want someone who you agree with that actually knows how the game works. You don't want someone off the street stepping in and being a lame duck.

But you are right on the age, at least a thousand years old.

This is bushanomics here. I'm bush like. The list of worst senators is very simple all the laberals. The laberals need to grow some balls, they need a strong senator, like joeseph mccarthy. Now he was a man's man. No conservative is a bad senator. The best senator in a long time is bill frist. He put forth the nuclear option to shut up the gay loving tree huging anti-war laberals. Now thats a good senator.

This is bushanomics here. I'm bush like. The list of worst senators is very simple all the laberals. The laberals need to grow some balls, they need a strong senator, like joeseph mccarthy. Now he was a man's man. No conservative is a bad senator. The best senator in a long time is bill frist. He put forth the nuclear option to shut up the gay loving tree huging anti-war laberals. Now thats a good senator.

I assume, "laberals," is some sort of reference to the female anatomy. With that sort of, "cleverness," I'd say, at least intellectually, you really are Bush-league. It could also just be another example of your poor spelling, like joeseph and huging, but it seems to repetitive.

Also. Joeseph Mc Carthy, a real man? Sigh, no wonder you like the estimable video-doctor Frist. You seem to have a real taste for authoritarian dick-heads.

Why isn't Mrs. Hillary Clinton on the best list? o.o

This is bushanomics here. I'm bush like. The list of worst senators is very simple all the laberals. The laberals need to grow some balls, they need a strong senator, like joeseph mccarthy. Now he was a man's man. No conservative is a bad senator. The best senator in a long time is bill frist. He put forth the nuclear option to shut up the gay loving tree huging anti-war laberals. Now thats a good senator.


Can I kill you now, please? By killing you, I am chlorinating the gene pool.

This is bushanomics here. I'm bush like.
So in other words, your not very bright and are terrorist.

The list of worst senators is very simple all the laberals. The laberals need to grow some balls, they need a strong senator, like joeseph mccarthy. Now he was a man's man. No conservative is a bad senator.
Liberals are bad senators, but so are conservatives. They are one in the same and both support the war machine that is the US and their furher g.w. Bush

The best senator in a long time is bill frist. He put forth the nuclear option to shut up the gay loving tree huging anti-war laberals. Now thats a good senator.
Actually, he sounds like a horrible senator. Stopping free speech to speak out for gay rights, environment rights, and an end to war. I would never vote for him. Why do support war? do you like death, pain and destruction?

While I disagree with with most of the democrats platform my main reason for disliking Ted Kennedy is the fact that he belongs in jail. After Chappaquiddick Ted should have spent several years in jail not the capital.

Yes. Because long sentences should be mandatory for misdemeanor guilty pleas. :rolleyes:

Where the hell is Barry Goldwater?


Dead. Burial has somewhat limited his effectiveness in the Senate.

:headbang:

This is bushanomics here. I'm bush like. The list of worst senators is very simple all the laberals. The laberals need to grow some balls, they need a strong senator, like joeseph mccarthy. Now he was a man's man. No conservative is a bad senator. The best senator in a long time is bill frist. He put forth the nuclear option to shut up the gay loving tree huging anti-war laberals. Now thats a good senator.


"You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency? "