Daily Star-Journal: Skelton No Way Defines 'Liberal'

This seems like a fairly obvious point, especially given the frustration from progressives (including me) over his vote on the House Democrats' health care bill, but Ike Skelton isn't exactly a pawn in some sort of leftist plot to destroy America.

Skelton no way defines 'liberal'
Editorial, The Daily Star-Journal

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton broke from his party and defied all those who try to portray him as a liberal by voting with the GOP against the Affordable Health Care for America Act and by voting yes for a key, social conservative amendment to that act...

Not every vote by Skelton, who represents a district of broad interests - military, agricultural, urban and suburban - is going to please everyone every time. Some will point out this or that vote as outrageously liberal or outrageously conservative. But considering Skelton's position as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee - a body of power that focuses on the nation's defense, and the responsibilities that go with that position - imagining he has anything on his mind other than what is in the best interests of this nation strains the imagination.

With regard to the idea that Skelton could ever be pigeonholed as a liberal, his votes against the health care bill and for restricting abortion spending should put such fantasies to rest.

I'm a huge fan of Ike Skelton, even though he doesn't always vote the way I'd prefer -- and that's probably why he's been so successful and effective representing his district.  The folks who want to replace him in Congress are going to have to come up with something more persuasive than Ike Skelton Is An Evil Librul.

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