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I can't believe I'm about to say this, but this really is an amazing speech. (Update: Full text here)

One by one, Democratic leaders are speaking out. But why did they wait so long? Why didn't they draw the line while there was still time to stop this wretched bill?

My only hope is that this has all been one gigantic game of rope-a-dope. Or rather, that this can be salvaged by turning it into a giant game of rope-a-dope. It is utterly inexcusible and unforgivable that any Dems voted for this. But maybe, just maybe this can serve as a final wake-up call for this party. Kevin Drum is right: the only way to put an end to the politics of fear is to step up and fight it. It is the only option that is both morally right and politically smart. Why is this so hard for so many people to see?

UPDATE: Reading through all of the speeches given today by Democrats (Atrios so far has the best of the best), I cannot help but feel a glimmer of hope coming out of all this.

Yes, the good guys lost today, and they lost big. But the good guys are also in the minority. Once McCain, Warner, Graham and his fellow compromising "patriots" caved, there really was little the Democratic Party could do to stop this. Elections have consequences, and this is one of them. Because we lost in 2004 we lost today.

But one by one, the most important Democratic voices in the Senate today stood up and called this legislation what it really is. Many of them did so with considerable eloquence, expressing and defending their beliefs and principles in a way I haven't seen in a long time. From time to time I've seen each of them do it on their own, but it has been many, MANY years since I've seen them do it with such eloquence together.

After reading these speeches, if you still believe the Democrats don't stand for anything, you weren't paying attention to what you read. If after reading these speeches you still believe there is no difference between the two parties, you need to reexamine your own beliefs about what real differences would actually look like.

Earlier I said that my best hope was that this would somehow turn into a grand game of rope-a-dope. After reading these speeches, I'm beginning to think my hope may not be that misplaced. For better or for worse, this issue really has forced at least some members of the party - and most importantly, the ones most likely to run for president in 2008 - to find their voice. It has forced each of them to come out and make a very clear, very explicit, and very strong stand.

Find your favorite, and let them know you were listening. Let them know that there can be great political reward for standing on principle. Let them know that you ware watching what they do. And let them know that you expect more.

UPDATE II: God bless YouTube: