That’s a quote from Brian Baird in this article on CBS’s website. That isn’t the only thing he’s said that I found noteworthy but it’s why Rep. Baird should get a Profile in Courage award. Unfortunately, that’s isn’t likely considering the Democratic Party is the mouthpiece to MoveOn.org’s ventriloquism.

“They are driving the agenda far too much, and it’s the wrong direction for this country,” he said. “We all agree that we can’t stay forever there, but how we withdraw and when we withdraw and why we withdraw matters a great deal to ourown security, the legacy we leave in Iraq and our public image internationally.”

If the Kennedy Center won’t give Rep. Baird a ‘Profile In Courage’ award, I will. Frankly, he’s earned it and then some. That isn’t the only impressive display of political courage. Listen to this impressive quote:

“There were a few who felt I undermined the message, but I could really care less,” he said Tuesday. “Some were mad at me that I was going off message. In fact, even some of the people who had been pro-war said that to me. … They were so quickly jumping to criticism of someone with a different position. It’s unfortunate that we’re being driven by such an extreme wing right now.”

This type of certitude is what drove Dennis Miller from the Democratic Party immediately following 9/11. It isn’t a stretch to say that Rep. Baird’s principled stand is similar to that of Sen. Leiberman’s. While I’m certain I don’t agree with Rep. Baird on many issues other than this, I can’t turn my back on him after he’s taken such a steadfast position on the defining issue of our generation. Such steadfastness should be heartily applauded.

Intellectual honesty demands as much.

Technorati Tags: Brian Baird, Iraq War, Joe Lieberman, Profiles In Courage, John Murtha, MoveOn.org, Election 2008

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog