An old friend today forwarded to me an e-mail she recently received.  In the e-mail, the author stated that Hillary's legislative record was weak.  I decided to take a closer look myself.  From the time Mrs. Clinton entered the Senate in January 2001, Mrs. Clinton has sponsored or co-sponsored 17 bills that passed out of the Senate.  Only one of those bills, SB 2600, eventually became a law.  On average, Mrs. Clinton has sponsored or co-sponsored on average 2.4 bills per year that passed out of the Senate.

Mr. Obama entered the Senate in January 2005.  Since that time he has sponsored or co-sponsored five bills that passed out of the Senate, for an average of 1.6 bills per year.  One of his bills also became law. 

Of additional interest is the focus Mrs. Clinton has placed on health care finance and the economy via legislation.  Surprisingly, Mrs. Clinton has sponsored no health care finance bills, at least none that passed out of the Senate.  Her lack of focus on the economy, especially given her proposal for a ninety-day moratorium on foreclosures, is also surprising.

Mrs. Clinton's record may be indicative of a lack of true clout in the Senate.  Given the high-powered endorsements from the Senate that have flowed toward Mr. Obama, and possible left over political resentment toward the Clinton establishment, Mrs. Clinton may be less effective in the Senate than most people think.  When you take into account Mr. Obama's length of tenure in the Senate, Mrs. Clinton may be just as much of a "talker" as she claims Mr. Obama is.

22 February 2008