The following three Republicans joined Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Norm Coleman, and Gordon Smith in voting for cloture in yesterday’s Senate debate about Bush’s escalation plan for Iraq.
Chuck Hagel: “…served in the U.S. Army infantry, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) from 1967-68. While serving during the Vietnam War, he received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.”
John Warner: “…enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II in January 1945, shortly before his 18th birthday. He served until the following year, leaving as a Petty Officer 3rd Class…
He joined the Marine Corps in October 1950, after the outbreak of the Korean War, and served in Korea as a ground officer with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He continued in the Marine Corps Reserves after the war, eventually reaching the rank of captain.
In February 1969, Warner was appointed Undersecretary of the Navy under the Nixon administration. On May 4, 1972, he succeeded John H. Chafee as Secretary of the Navy. He participated in the Law of the Sea talks, and negotiated the Incidents at Sea Executive Agreement with the Soviet Union.”
Warner also served at the chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee until this year.
Arlen Specter: “…serv[ed] in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1953.”
The following 23 Senators voted against the Iraq War Resolution of 2002.
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You might notice that the only person to be voted out of office since this 2002 vote against the war is the sole Republican, Lincoln Chafee. Wellstone died and was replaced by Norm Coleman (a former Democrat that voted for cloture yesterday). Corzine, Sarbanes, and Dayton retired and were replaced by Democrats. Bob Graham retired and was replaced by Mel Martinez. It’s impossible to say that any Senator (besides Chafee) has paid any price at all for opposing this war. Voting for the war has negatively impacted the Presidential ambitions of Kerry, Edwards, Clinton, Biden, Bayh, and Dodd. Voting for the war cost Lieberman the Democratic nomination for Senate. It contributed to the electoral losses of Tom Daschle, Jean Carnahan, Rick Santorum, Conrad Burns, George Allen, and Mike DeWine.
Anyone that has attached themselves to this war has been diminished by it. The people that have opposed it and are opposing it now have included many combat veterans like Daniel Inouye, who during World War II “…was assigned to the Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which became one of the most highly-decorated units in the history of the U.S. Army. During the World War II campaign in Europe he received the Bronze Star and also the Distinguished Service Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Although he lost his right arm in the war he remained in the military until 1947, discharged with the rank of captain.” And Daniel Akaka who “during World War II…served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including service on Saipan and Tinian.” And Jack Reed, who “attended the United States Military Academy in West Point where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. Reed also served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an Army Ranger and paratrooper.” And Jim Jeffords, who served “three years of active duty in the United States Navy (1956 – 1959).”
It’s absolutely absurd to question the courage or patriotism of the war’s opponents and it is just stupid to fear opposing this war will carry political costs.
Both McCain and Guiliani have been slipping in the polls over the last year as they have failed to distance themselves from the President.
The Senate needs to have the courage to follow through. Senator Reid should not have adjourned. When the Senate returns he should pick up where he left off. Ending this war is a political no-brainer as well as the obvious moral choice and the best choice for our economy and national security.
