W. Todd Akin: “during the War of Independence, Paine said: ``These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the…”

“during the War of Independence, Paine said: ``These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from service of their country . . .'' America is again at war, and duty calls us to be more than sunshine patriots. I have been to Iraq. My son is a Marine captain who has been in Fallujah. We have heard on the Armed Services Committee from scores of witnesses, liberals and conservatives and everything in between, and no one has offered a plan that is better than what we are currently executing in Iraq, and everyone agrees that a rapid withdrawal of troops will result in civil war and a regional conflict. If the Democrats have a better plan, let them offer it. Otherwise, let our troops get the job done. It is politically popular to sound retreat and to play the sunshine patriot, but duty, honor, and country demand that America stand for freedom once again. We must accept nothing less.”