Reply #100: I posted earlier that it looked as though Clark's comments

[karynnj]

in the article were choppy - as if they were editted. His comments are never choppy when quoted in full. I agree that there are many who are simply anti-Israel here.

I actually think all the Democrats are near the same place. It's clear that diplomacy has been the missing element in this area even more than in Iraq. Kerry and some of the others have been increasing frustrated with this when they get reviews in the SFRC from Bush people. I think all of them are concerned that this could destroy Lebanon and send it back to the hell they were in for decades.

As Clark is working in the news media, he had to comment immediately. I would assume that especially Kerry, Feingold, Biden and Dodd, who are all on the SFRC are likely getting information and trying to work through the government - even though as the Democrats and Lugar have complained Bush has typically disregarded their advice. Of these, Feingold is the only one of these that I have seen a statement from. Kerry is usually among the first to put out statements. Although he has been very busy on other issues, this is important- so I would guess he feels that his putting out a statement would not be helpful at this point.