Here's what Mr. Woestendiek posted about the Democratic candidates:

Both Democratic candidates have demonstrated compassion towards animals, but Hillary Clinton gets higher marks than Barack Obama on "The Humane Scorecard," the Humane Society Legislative Fund's (HSLF) annual look at the voting records on animal welfare issues in the House and Senate.

As a U.S. Senator, Clinton received a 100 percent ranking by the HSLF for the 108th Congress and 100-plus for the 109th Congress.

She has co-sponsored legislation dealing with horse slaughter, animal fighting and to crack down on abusive puppy mills.

Obama scored 20 percent on the 2005 Humane Scorecard, 60 percent in 2006 and was expected to rank even higher in 2007.

Since being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Obama has co-sponsored legislation to upgrade the penalties for dogfighting and cockfighting, and to ban the possession of fighting dogs.

As an Illinois state senator, Obama supported measures to allow the creation of pet trusts to provide for the long-term care of companion animals, ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption, upgrade the penalties for cruelty to animals, require psychological counseling for people who abuse animals, and require that veterinarians report suspected acts of cruelty and animal fighting.

In response to a questionnaire sent out by HSLF, Clinton says she has supported every major animal protection bill in Congress and says she will work with executive agencies to implement humane policies and adequate funding and enforcement for animal welfare laws.

"I believe animal welfare is an important issue to Americans, and I would work to address these problems when I am president, as I have during my time in the Senate," she wrote. "From preventing dog fighting to preventing horse slaughter to addressing global warming, I will work to ensure that these issues get the attention and support they deserve."

In his questionnaire response, Obama pledges support for nearly every animal protection bill in Congress, and he says he will work with executive agencies to make their policies more humane. Obama also commented on the links between animal cruelty and violence in society:

"I've repeatedly voted to increase penalties for animal cruelty and violence and, importantly, to require psychological counseling for those who engage in this behavior as part of the punishment. In addition to being unacceptable in its own stead, violence towards animals is linked with violent behavior in general, especially domestic violence. As president, I'd continue to make sure that we treat animal cruelty like the serious crime it is and address its connection to broader patterns of violence."

Sounds pretty impressive. The differences in language are subtle but meaningful. Sen. Clinton says "she has supported every major animal protection bill in Congress." Sen. Obama says he "pledges support for nearly every animal protection bill in Congress."

Humane scorecards are put together based on legislative voting, and typically an excellent guideline. However, here is a letter Sen. Obama sent to a constituent, who passed it along to us. Judge for yourselves.

Dear Mary:

Thank you for contacting me in support of S. 394, the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act. I appreciate the benefit of your comments on this issue.

S. 394 would require that any animals that are non-ambulatory, commonly known as downers, be humanely euthanized as soon as it is noted that they are unable to stand without assistance. This practice is intended to keep unhealthy animals from the food supply and reassure markets of safe food practices.

Although the inability of an animal to walk or stand unassisted may be a symptom of a spongiform encephalopathy disease in cattle or sheep, such symptoms in other animals, such as swine, may not always be indicative of disease, or of diseases transmissible to humans. For example, S. 394 would require swine that are unable to walk to be immediately euthanized, without testing for disease, and without consideration of other factors, such as fatigue associated with the weight of the hog. Given that swine are not susceptible to spongeform encephalopathy illnesses, the result of immediate euthanization often may be an unjustifiable financial loss to the farmer.

It is absolutely critical that the U.S. government strengthen food safety and inspection policies at all point in the food processing chain - - from farm to market - - so that public health is protected. Such policies, however, must be carefully drafted; otherwise, the policy may miss its mark, and unintended consequences could result.

The Downed Animal Protection Act has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, a panel on which I do not serve. However, I will be sure to keep your views in mind should this bill come to the Senate floor for debate.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please stay in touch in the future.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

Sen. Clinton is a co-sponsor of S. 311, an amendment to the Horse Protection Act banning horse slaughter and export for slaughter. Sen. Obama eventually co-sponsored the bill, although he was highly resistant in doing so for more than a year, and perhaps only coincidentally not long after Sen. Clinton co-sponsored the measure.

• See S. 311 co-sponsors
• Read about Republican candidates