Robert E. Cramer

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Robert Cramer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Ronnie Flippo
Born	August 22, 1947 (1947-08-22) (age 60) Huntsville, Alabama
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Widowed
Religion	Methodist

Robert Edward "Bud" Cramer, Jr.^[1], (b. August 22, 1947), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing Alabama's 5th congressional district, which includes the northernmost part of Alabama, centering on Huntsville. On March 13, 2008, Cramer announced he would not seek another term.^[2]

[edit] Life & Political Career

Cramer was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and Law degree from the University of Alabama in 1972, Known as "Bud" by his classmates and Fraternity Brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha. After graduating, he quickly joined the Army as a tank officer later that year. He served in that capacity at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and continued his military service as a member of the Army Reserve from 1976 to 1978.

In 1973, Cramer began to serve as the Madison County District Attorney, a position he held until going into private practice in 1975. He remained in private practice until 1980, when he challenged the incumbent Madison County District Attorney and won at age 33. He was district attorney from 1981 to 1990 until Rep. Ronnie Flippo ran unsuccessfully for governor. Cramer ran for the seat left vacant and won consequently, and has served ever since. In 1985, he founded the National Children's Advocacy Centre, a child friendly environment for abused children. He was briefly considered for a post in the Bush administration in 2001.

A widower, Cramer has a daughter Hollan, two grandsons Dylan and Mason, and a granddaughter Patricia Lanier. Cramer is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school classes to young people for many years.

[edit] House Record

In the House Cramer has been a tireless supporter of the Space Station and a leading advocate for spending increases in missile defense, as Huntsville has long been a center for research and development of these two projects. A liberal in his early days, he largely supported the Democratic party line until a close election in 1994 led him to avoid liberal votes on visible issues. He now often breaks with his party on issues from abortion, gay rights, and gun control to issues such as taxes, regulation of business, and the environment. Cramer was one of only four Democrats in the House to vote for the tax cut bill of 2003.

Cramer's voting record has placed him near the center of the House, however he has often been cited as unpredictable in his votes. Child protection has long been a legislative project of Cramer's pursuant to his work with the area prior to his ascent to the House. In the past few years, Democrats have become increasingly irritated by a more conservative voting pattern — particularly against partial-birth abortion and in support of parts of the Republican Contract with America. However, unlike a few other conservative Democrats, he did not vote in favor of any of the articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton.

Cramer is a long-time member of the Blue Dog Democrats, a coalition of conservative and moderate House Democrats. Because of his largely conservative positions, he has long been encouraged by fellow Alabama politician Sen. Richard Shelby to make the same switch that he did and register as a Republican. Cramer has resisted these efforts thus far, and has won reelection easily in his increasingly conservative district despite his party affiliation.

On October 10, 2002, Bud Cramer was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the Invasion of Iraq. June 16 2006 he voted for the continued occupation of IRAQ. December 14 2005 he voted for the reauthorization of the PATriot ACT. June 29 2005 he voted for the increase of funds by another $25 million for anti-marijuana print and TV ads. October 6,2005 he voted for the Department of Homeland Security. ^[3]

Recently, however, Cramer joined fellow Democrats in opposing President Bush's plan to send 21,000 additional troops to Iraq.

On March 13, 2008, Cramer surprised colleagues by announcing that he would not seek re-election in 2008 and would retire at the end of his term.

[edit] Campaign 2008

After Cramer's surprise announcement that he would not seek another term in the U.S. House, Democrats and Republicans scambled to find a top-tier candidate in a short amount of time to run for the vacant seat.

Several state legislators, a public service commissioner, and other business leaders were mentioned as possible candidates. Democratic State Sen. Tom Butler even considered switching parties to run as a Republican, but shortly before qualifying ended, he elected to remain a Democrat and in the State Senate.

Qualifying for the seat closed on April 4. Two Democrats and six Republicans will compete in the June primary for the nomination: physician and State Senator Parker Griffith (D), optical physicist David Maker (D), salesman George Barry (R), attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie (R), musician Mark Huff (R),surgeon and former State Representative Angelo "Doc" Mancuso (R), attorney Ray McKee (R), and insurance vice president Wayne Parker (R).

[edit] Committees and Subcommittees

• House Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Defense
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
  • The Select Intelligence Oversight Panel

• Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Technical & Tactical Intelligence

• The Blue Dog Coalition, Co-Founder
• The Congressional Missing & Exploited Children's Caucus, Co-Chairman and Co-Founder
• The End the Death Tax Caucus, Co-Chairman and Co-Founder
• The House Anti-Terrorism Caucus, Co-Chairman and Co-Founder
• The Tennessee Valley Authority Caucus, Co-Chairman

[edit] Electoral history

2006 General Election

2004 General Election

2002 General Election

• General Election 2000: Bud Cramer (D) — 89%
• General Election 1998: Bud Cramer (D) — 70%
• General Election 1996: Bud Cramer (D) — 56%
• General Election 1994: Bud Cramer (D) — 50%
• General Election 1992: Bud Cramer (D) — 66%
• General Election 1990: Bud Cramer (D) — 67%

[edit] Group Ratings (2004)

• National Journal
  • Economic: 50% Liberal, 49% Conservative
  • Social: 48% Liberal, 51% Conservative
  • Foreign: 54% Liberal, 45% Conservative
• Americans for Democratic Action: 75
• American Civil Liberties Union: 25
• Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 86
• Christian Coalition: 58
• American Conservative Union: 50
• National Taxpayers Union: 26
• League of Conservation Voters: 36

[edit] Notes

1. ^ USATODAY.com
2. ^ AL.com: Cramer will not seek re-election to Congress
3. ^ Cannabis Culture, House voting record

[edit] External links

• U.S. Congressman Bud Cramer official House site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues