U.S. SENATE Profiles in courage11/05/2003
"ONE MIGHT HOPE that when the greatest deliberative body in the world makes a decision involving the safety of American troops, the foreign policy of the nation and $87 billion and change, more than a half dozen senators would show up.
But 94 senators were nowhere to be found when the Senate voted Monday to approve the $87.5 billion supplemental appropriation to occupy and rebuild Iraq. Conservative Republicans stayed away because the high price tag on the war is unpopular. Liberal Democrats stayed away because they didn't want to be counted voting against the troops, but also didn't want to vote in favor of a war unpopular with their core constituency.
The curmudgeon, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., showed up to shout "NO!", protesting a war he opposed from the start. "The president owes the American people an exit strategy for Iraq, and it is time for him to deliver."
Mr. Byrd got drubbed, but at least he came to play."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Editorial+%2F+Commentary/775A7AB78C28FE3786256DD5003CAC2A?OpenDocument&Headline=U.S.+SENATE+Profiles+in+courageI often wonder why Senator Byrd isn't running for President, given the total lack of character and courage demonstrated by Edwards and Kerry. Are they the best the US Senate has to offer the Democratic party? I think not. :eyes: