24 abstentions in the senate...very interesting.

[dave123williams]

[BurtWorm]

1. Abstentions, or absents?

There's a big difference.

[zann725]

9. Feinstein was out "sick" today, I think. And judging from the letter she

sent me today, she feels there ALREADY IS enough voter legislation and protection in place as-is.
Though she DOES want me to write her again.
I think NOT.

[AG78]

2. Some are out of the country

Kerry is over in Jordan, and Kyl is in Israel I believe.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Kerry already said he wasn't supporting the Ohio challenge

It was more important for Kerry to get a photo op with the troops that his IWR-vote was partly responsible for being in Iraq.

[Benhurst]

5. No, Kerry is right here in North Carolina with me.

He's watching my back.

[jayctravis]

6. I want Kerry supporting the troops, photo-op or not.

I trust him to figure out the mess over there moreso than Bush. He detailed atrocities in Vietnam, and I'm sure he'll let us know what Bush isn't telling us.

[IndianaGreen]

7. "Support the troops" = Support the war

If Kerry really wanted to support the troops he would be calling for an immediate and unconditional US withdrawal from Iraq, together with the payment of war reparations and war crimes tribunals for those responsible for the war.

[Bouncy Ball]

12. support the troops does NOT necessarily equal supporting the war

but I do agree with the meat of your post:

"If Kerry really wanted to support the troops he would be calling for an immediate and unconditional US withdrawal from Iraq, together with the payment of war reparations and war crimes tribunals for those responsible for the war."

[blm]

3. some had to get to the Gonzales hearing and couldn't vote

and some are out of the country. Those would be absent.

Did someone formally abstain?

[Leilani]

8. I think a lot of people were absent

I think they go out of session tomorrow, until after the inauguration.

[Lenape85]

10. Who were the absent ones

[BrklynLiberal]

11. 55 Repukes and only 20 Dems were present.

That means 25 "absent" Dems.