Sen. Byrd among those lining up to blast Bush

[davidinalameda]

http://www.dailymail.com/news/News/2005012519/

In a daylong debate, Democratic senators are using President Bush's nomination of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state to rake his Iraq war policy over the coals.

Rice's confirmation as Colin Powell's replacement appears not to be in doubt. Still, Sens. Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Barbara Boxer of California and eight other Democrats are lined up to get their licks in today, even though many of them may wind up in Rice's column when the vote is taken.

Republicans, by contrast, are expected to rally behind Rice -- and President Bush -- with briefer speeches. Nine hours have been set aside for the debate, divided equally between the two parties.