For instance, Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., who opposed force in the Persian Gulf and is one of the most liberal senators, now is supporting President Clinton and NATO air attacks in the Balkans. We cannot stand idly by. Stevens at that time was busy urging fellow senators then to support the use of force, pointing to published reports of Iraqi human-rights violations. Kerry, who like Wellstone voted in 1991 against the Gulf War, now backs air strikes against Yugoslavia. Kerry, in Vietnam yesterday, could not be reached for further comment.
Republicans throw similar jabs.
In a floor debate leading up to the airstrikes, Stevens asked Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., why he supports the Kosovo intervention but opposed the Gulf War. What's the difference between that situation . . Then Biden put a twist into his argument, acknowledging Republicans had been right in the Gulf War debate - and they should now support Clinton on Kosovo.