Quote of the Week

"This is nothing more or less than really a charade."

--Republican Rep. Walter Jones (NC-03), commenting on the U.S. House floor debate on "the present and future of our commitment in Iraq," staged late last week by the Republican leadership to show their support for President Bush's handling of the war ("stay the course") and to spotlight Democrats' disunity on the issue.

Jones broke with his party last year and called on El Presidente to develop an exit plan from Iraq.

Jones refused to vote for his party's Iraq resolution, voting "present" instead. (Tim Funk's coverage in Charlotte Observer here)