From Daniel Webster to Robert Byrd, from Robert LaFollett to Henry Cabot Lodge to Edward Kennedy, the Senate has been populated by giants form the time of it's founding. The Civil War, the Great Depression, civil rights and World War II were all debated and decided. And in that time, I cannot recall of any senator, even a freshman, saying that any of these issues were too great for them to handle...until now. Poor Joe Manchin released a statement basically saying that Don't Ask Don't Tell is too big for him to handle in the short time since he arrived to Washington.
But after the vote, Manchin blasted out a statement apologizing to anyone angered by his vote and said he believed the policy "probably should be repealed in the near future."
"While I believe the 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' policy will be repealed someday, and probably should be repealed in the near future, I do not support its repeal at this time," Manchin said in the statement. "I truly understand that my position will anger those who believe repeal should happen now and for that I sincerely apologize. While I am very sympathetic to those who passionately support the repeal, as a Senator of just three weeks, I have not had the opportunity to visit and hear the full range of viewpoints from the citizens of West Virginia."
Manchin went on to explain that his 'no' vote Thursday doesn't reflect concerns with repealing the ban on openly gay service members. He said it's "an issue of timing."
Timing? This issue first came up 17 years ago. I know they have television in West Virginia. They even have cable!!!! I'm sure that a bright new senator like yourself can get up to speed, because right now you're coming off as either dishonest or unqualified to be a U.S. Senator.