Kerry Most Liberal 2008 Candidate from Senate

Rankings based upon votes are not the most accurate way to evaluate a member of Congress, but they are interesting to look at. The National Journal’s rankings are out based upon 2005 votes. Edward Kennedy is most liberal member of the Senate with a score of 96.7. John Kerry is number 8 with an 86.7% score.

Kerry beats other potential Democratic candidates in liberal score. Russ Feingold is # 14 this year at 85.2%. My initial impression is that it might have been particular votes this year which placed Kerry ahead of Feingold this year, but Kerry beats Feingold with a lifetime average of 85.7% compared to 80.6% for Feingold. Kerry also beats Feingold in the majority of years in which both were ranked. Hillary Clinton has a liberal score of 79.8% (80.5% lifetime). Joseph Biden has a score of 80.2% (lifetime 76.8%). Evan Bayh, as expected, is the most conservative 2008 Democratic candidate from the Senate with a score of 70.7% (63.2% lifetime).

Joe Lieberman is towards the liberal edge of the center with a score of 65.7% for 2005. Harry Reid has a liberal score of 78.2% and Richard Durbin falls at 86.8%.