[quote=pri_dk][quote=CONCHO]Invalid comparison. The 2012 NDAA would either pass or not pass. An individual congressperson abstaining does not change the outcome.[/quote]

And who are those other folks in that big room whose votes passed the bill?

Individual congressmen. Every one of them.

You say an individual congressmen doesn’t make a difference? Using that logic, individual voters don’t make a difference either. So perhaps you should stop wasting forum space encouraging us to vote for your guy.

The only valid reason for a congressman to abstain from a vote would be a personal/business conflict of interest. Not an issue here.

Paul abstained so that his political opponents wouldn’t have ammunition – so they couldn’t criticize his actions on the job – because he chose not to perform at all.

Pure politics and borderline cowardice.[/quote]

Actually the pure politics is writing a bill so that people are forced to either vote for an entire yearly defense budget AND torture and indefinite detention without trial by jury OR against both of these.

How would you vote? Would you vote to torture and indefinitely detain people (including American citizens) without trial by jury in total violation of the foundation of western civilization since the Magna Carta, or will you vote against the troops and against the defense of this great country? Are you for torture and indefinite detention or are you weak on defense and against the troops? Let’s hear it.