The data on Kerry's voting record, from 1985 on, comes from the Council for a Livable World's annual report on key defense votes by all members of the House and Senate. The council is a private, Washington-based, congressional watchdog organization that advocates arms control. It ranks legislators by how often they vote for or against the council's positions. Kerry's scores range from 62 to 100, with an average in the high 80s.

Thanks to John Isaacs, the council's president, for sending me the reports. Also thanks to Isaacs for providing Cheney's and Powell's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1992.