The Right State

Jim Webb (D-VA) and the Democrats have suffered a huge defeat when his plan to give soldiers as much home time as they are deployed was crushed when fellow Virginian John Warner (R-VA) voted against the amendment.  Webb’s plan would have effectively ended US efforts against al Qaeda in Iraq.  Since the 2006 midterm election, the Democrat Party has been single minded in their approach to the war—end it by any means necessary, even if it means undermining the troops.   John Warner’s vote against the amendment this time has left political pundits wondering where he will turn next time.  The liberal left has been poking fun at vacillating senator much like Republicans did against John Kerry’s ‘I actually voted for the war, before I voted against it’ speech.  The right hails the renegade senator from Virginia as a hero. 

To paraphrase the immortal words of John Kerry, Sen. John Warner actually did vote to shorten the Iraq war before he voted to lengthen it.

Just two months ago, the courtly Virginia Republican went to the Senate floor and sided with his Democratic colleague from the commonwealth, Jim Webb, on a plan that would shorten troop deployments in Iraq. Yesterday, he went to the same place to announce that he would now vote against the same bill.

Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) said Warner made him proud to be a member of the Senate.  Democrats on the other hand accused the senator of caving in to White House pressure.  So, where do the loyalties of the senior senator from Virginia lie—probably somewhere in between goat and hero.  But there is always a price to be paid for being the goat, just ask John McCain.

For years McCain has reveled with the media attention which came with the moniker of maverick.  And now he is paying the price in the polls as conservatives have turned against him.  Republicans have not forgotten nor forgiven the maverick for his shenanigans or his contempt for conservative values. 

John Warner too has earned the ire of Republicans, but with one caveat: Warner does not intent on running for reelection in 2008.  That decision is one we can all live with since the Virginian has been acting less and less like a Republican.  Warner’s questioning of General Petraeus in the Armed Services Committee made the Senator look even more like a Jane Fonda, white flag flying Democrat.  In the end I guess we can all be appreciative that Warner finally came to his senses and decided to support the troops and the mission after all.  Failing that, he can always retire. 

Tags: Democrats, War by Chuck
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