U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett has the poorest attendance record of any lawmaker in Washington, D.C., missing 34.7% of Congressional votes this year, according to an analysis compiled by the Washington Post.
Barrett has missed 337 out of 971 Congressional votes this year – the most of any legislator in either chamber.
No other South Carolina lawmaker has missed more than 10% of their votes.
Barrett’s office and campaign, predictably, blame his atrocious voting record on the fact that he is running for governor of South Carolina.
However, Tennessee Rep. Zach Wamp – who is running for governor of the Volunteer State – has missed just 8.1% of Congressional votes.
FITS has done several stories in recent months on Barrett’s missed votes, although we had no idea the problem was as widespread as it is.
Just last week, we noted how Barrett missed a key abortion vote.
Back in September, we noted that Barrett was attending a fundraiser with the uber-liberal S.C. Chamber of Commerce while Congress was voting to censure his colleague, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson.
What’s your thought on Barrett’s voting record?
Vote in our poll below …
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By Tea Partier December 17, 2009 at 9:33 am
Can you post the invitation to the Chamber of Commerce fundraiser? I don’t believe they hosted such an event.
Proof is in the puddin’, show your readers the puddin’!!!!!! which you haven’t done much lately!
Your shotty reporting is making The State look professional which is hard to do.
By Doesn't matter December 17, 2009 at 9:34 am
The voters of SC have proven time and time again as long as there is an R beside someone’s name, they’ll pull the lever. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong in 2010, but considering the frontrunners for Governor thus far, it’s unlikely.
By Ynot December 17, 2009 at 10:22 am
jerk
By Andrew December 17, 2009 at 11:01 am
Two pieces against Barrett in recent days… his poll numbers must be looking good.
By fitsnews December 17, 2009 at 11:13 am
Andrew-
Have we ever mentioned that supporters of Rep. Gresham Barrett are the whiniest little bitches on the Internet?
Because if not, consider it mentioned.
Seriously, at least Henry McMaster’s people take the crap we throw at them like men.
That or they’re too stupid to figure out they’re being criticized.
Even Andre’s people didn’t bitch when we ran with the gay “rumor.”
Err … “gay” rumor.
-FITS
By CNSYD December 17, 2009 at 12:05 pm
The headline should have read, “Barrett is the worst in America”. No matter the topic he is the worst.
By Andrew December 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Not a Barrett supporter, just amused at your self importance.
By ohara December 17, 2009 at 12:28 pm
So what the heck was he doing when he was AWOL from the job? He’s out over 1/3 of the time he is supposed to be there, & Congress is only is session for an average of 150 days per year?
He’s getting paid to show up for 100 work days? Must be nice. He’s not just a Sanford-wannabe, he’s already vacationer-in-chief & he hasn’t even been elected. Thank god he’s a native good ol’ boy. Would hate to think we had to import another carpetbagger to get someone who wouldn’t show up to work.
By Michael S. Smith II December 17, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I’m not sure what’s so problematic here …
The candidate’s obviously just taking to heart strategies put forth in Mark Sanford’s “How to Act Like a Governor” playbook.
Step 1: Do anything but that which the people who voted for you expect for you to do once elected.
Step 2: Remind yourself each day that if the people have a problem with that, they’re all a bunch of nobodies anyway. Screw ‘em!
MICHAEL S. SMITH II
By Freddie December 17, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I’m with Andrew. I interpret all of this negative Barrett shit you have recently put out to mean Nicki Haley, (Hindu-Indian-Do Nothing but pose as a Conservative for the camera while she Desperately needs to get her grill fixed) is having a TOUGH time fundraising this quarter.
Btw: you’d think her Sex-crazed Dentist Brother-In-Law (look it up) can help her with that smile?
If FITS plays it both ways, show us a story on that guy and the tail that he’s chased…
Fred
By SC Integrity December 17, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Hey 19% “understandable,” which civics course did you not understand? Or are you a group of Rotarians faithful to your keep Sanfraud ethics eternal pledge?
This is indeed progress. Reminds me of when I was in Mexico and a man on the bus illuminated me on the mentality of being beaten down so horrifically by a hierarchy that anything less than pure evil is good news. He understood by all means how politicians stole several million but did it have to be more than such and such million?
By CHARLES December 17, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Maybe the mistress in DC is keeping him away. Afraid of being caught reminiscing about tan lines.
By Splain Dat??? December 17, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Your guy just went missing. Not missed, but MISSING.
By SC50 December 17, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Not voting for Haley, but to Freddie, wtf does her heritage have to do with any legitimate policy criticism an intelligent person may have against her – of course from the racist and bigot remark U made that would leave U out of forming an intelligent thought.
By Mike Honcho December 17, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Mr. Smith II — The people had a chance to send him packing after four years.
We all get it, you got let down. Put the big boy pants on.
By Richard December 17, 2009 at 10:14 pm
and I’d add to Freddie that you don’t have your facts right either…even on her heritage/ethnicity/religion.
Oh, I will will definately be voting for Nikki Haley regardless of the aforementioned.
By kool kat December 17, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Awe, did somebody spit in Freddie’s Wheaties? My vote is with Haley! Freddie tell your boy to do his job in DC!
By Ynot December 18, 2009 at 6:57 am
barrett is bad for south carolina now.
please people, don’t give this furniture salesman any more chances.
By Joyce Zandri December 18, 2009 at 4:30 pm
He was present to vote for TARP. Unforgivable!
By Neocon December 21, 2009 at 11:39 am
Like it really matters if a Republican votes…
It’s almost like pissing in the wind…