A Step Forward

The Senate has approved legislation providing for the interrogation of terrorist detainees.

It passed 65-34, which means that a number of Democrats joined the Republicans in supporting it. Notably, however, Republican Lincoln Chafee voted with the Democrats -- and the Dems who would constitute the Democratic leadership opposed it, which tells you all you need to know about where the country would head if the Dems were in the majority. Note also that 160 Democrats opposed the House bill.

Hugh Hewitt has transcribed Patrick Leahy's diatribe on the Senate floor today -- a rant that clearly shows that, like so many Democrats, Leahy is more concerned with the rights of terrorists than the safety of Americans.

Thankfully, President Bush seems to understand why it's important to highlight the contrasts between his approach and that of the Democrats. Long unused to making sharply partisan statements about his adversaries, today, the President commented that:

Democrats offer nothing but criticism and obstructionism and endless second-guessing. The party of FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt), the party of Harry Truman, has become the party of cut and run.

And he's quite right. For too long, Dems have attacked the President with impunity. It's time they understand that he intends to respond, and point out the differences that make it clear why Republican leadership in the war on terror isn't just preferable -- it's vital.