When Barack Obama served the people of IL, he voted “present” on more than 100 votes. When Clinton and Edwards confronted him on his voting record in last night’s debate, Obama said not voting yes or no 100+ times was often part of his strategy to get things done.

EDWARDS: Can I just ask, though, before I do — I mean, I hear the back and forth on this one particular vote, but it is — I do think it’s important, and I mentioned this about Senator Clinton earlier, to be fair, about Social Security. I do think it’s important whether you are willing to take hard positions.

I mean, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus who are sitting in front of me right know they have to go to the floor of the House every day and vote on hard issues. And they have to vote up or down or not show up to vote — one of those three choices. What I didn’t hear was an explanation for why over 100 times you voted present instead of yes or no when you had a choice to vote up or down.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I’ll be happy to answer it. Because in Illinois — in Illinois, oftentimes you vote present in order to indicate that you had problems with a bill that otherwise you might be willing to vote for. And oftentimes you would have a strategy that would help move the thing forward.
[CNN Democratic presidential debate - CNN.com - 01-22-08]