Politically Dumb, Too

Perhaps the Senate Republican profiles in cowardice don't care that they made Harry Reid and Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi's day. But they most certainly care about their own precious political skins.

So here's something to think about. Right now, Republicans are down in all the polls, except, as noted here, when it comes to maintaining a strong defense, strong moral values, and in the war on terror.

Today's vote did nothing but move the Republicans further toward the Democrats' position -- blurring and softening the distinction that has been their greatest strength. Does anyone think the Warner Amendment would reinforce an image of a GOP voters that wants a strong defense? Or a party that's on offense in the war on terror? Not likely.

Go ahead, Republican senators -- eliminate any difference between you and your opponents in the two areas where you're actually preferred. And then see what happens next year. No fair saying you weren't warned . . . you're being warned now.

As to what the vote says about the third area of GOP strength -- strong moral values -- well, I leave it to each reader to decide. How would you describe a senator who would desert the President on a vital foreign policy issue when he's abroad, when he and his colleagues have approved of Administration policy all along -- and when he knows the President's right? There are a few descriptive phrases that spring to my mind . . . but "strong moral values" isn't one of them.