Cord Byrd: “it was not more than 6 weeks ago when this President, this administration, expressed concern at the ``frenzy'' that…”

“it was not more than 6 weeks ago when this President, this administration, expressed concern at the ``frenzy'' that people were being wrapped into. This administration tried to cool it 6 weeks ago, talking about the frenzy. We have heard this administration's Cabinet Members out on the trail say time and again, there is no plan, no plan on the President's desk. That is what Secretary of State Powell said to me when I asked, What is new? What about these plans? Oh, there is no plan on the President's desk. Even the President himself has said there is no plan. Even as late as October 1, just a few day ago, 3 days ago, 4 days ago, the President himself said he has not made a decision to go to war. So what is new? That is what I am saying to my distinguished friend. We knew about their packaging. Why didn't the CIA Director say it to me when I asked him twice, once up in 407 and once in my own office, What is there that is new from your standpoint of intelligence that we did not know 3 months ago, 6 months ago? He has not been able to come up with anything. So I say to my distinguished friend from Virginia, yes, I am concerned about packaging and all that. But that is not new. That should not make it all-compelling that we vote on this matter of peace or war, or preemptive strike, before we go home. The people out there want us to come home. Let's go home to the people who send us here; let's talk with them in town meetings; let's tell them what we know.”