Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry ranks as the "most liberal" Senate member in a rating of his votes.

The National Journal said today Kerry's rating of 96.5 is far ahead of the scores of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sen. Hillary Clinton, according to the Drudge Report.

The scores, compiled since 1981, are based on voting related to economic, social and foreign policy.

The publication says, "To be sure, Kerry's ranking as the No. 1 Senate liberal in 2003 – and his earning of similar honors three times during his first term, from 1985 to 1990 – will probably have opposition researchers licking their chops."

Drudge noted the ratings system was devised under the direction of William Schneider, a political analyst and commentator at CNN, and a contributing editor to National Journal.

Schneider still guides the calculation process, which employs data processing and statistical analysis by Information Technology Services of the Brookings Institution.