McCain, Warner, and Graham defy Presidential wishes
Posted on 2006-09-15 at 08:07
Four Republican senators sided with Democrats on the Armed Services Committee in a vote rejecting legislation to set up trials for foreign terrorism suspects that would break Geneva Convention rules.
The Armed Services Committee voted to back a more reasonable bill in a 15-9 split. President Bush vows to block the measure should it come to his desk.
Even ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell has joined to fray in a move that seems to have surprised the White House. He wrote a letter stating that this measure would redefine Geneva Conventions and consequeently put US troops at risk. Continuing, Powell wrote, "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism."
In short, the new measure would have granted Guantanamo tribunals the right to use evidence gained through coercive means, such as torture, and to keep secret certain elements of prosecutorial cases from those being accused. The four Republican Senators who opposed the measure---including three prominent members (McCain (R-AZ), Warner (R-VA), and Graham (R-SC))---voted instead for a version that would provide for fairer trials.
On a more personal note, I've been saying for a couple of months now that while I actually like Senators Warner and Allen (our Senators here in VA) I would not vote for them solelyon the grounds that the Republicans have abused their position as senate majority and must be made a minority, even at the expense of Senators I like. News like this makes it hard to vote against Warner. It's not the first time he's made it clear that he would not vote along party lines. Perhaps he's one of the Republicans that should stay. I really don't know.