Washington Wrap

Dotty Lynch, Douglas Kiker and Steve Chaggaris of The CBS News Political Unit have the latest from the nation's capital.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts says he has no concrete plans to stop campaigning during the conflict. "It's not anything that is set in stone," said spokesman Robert Gibbs. "We will adjust schedule on an as-appropriate basis and certainly be sensitive to tone and appropriateness," adding that the days and weeks after Sept. 11, 2001 would be a guide for Kerry.

But Kerry, who voted in October in favor of giving the president the right to use force against Iraq, unveiled a homeland security proposal Tuesday, and issued a statement that read: "Even having botched the diplomacy, it is the duty of any president, in the final analysis, to defend this nation and dispel the security threats … Saddam Hussein has brought military action upon himself for refusing for 12 years to comply with the mandates of the United Nations." Kerry added that he finds himself "angered, saddened and dismayed" by the Iraq situation.

Former Gov. Howard Dean was the most defiant of the Democratic contendes, saying that not only would he continue to campaign, he would also continue to criticize the administration on its Iraq policy – a stance that has become, for better or worse, the hallmark of his campaign.

Dean said that unlike in Iraq, dissent is permitted in the United States. "We need to support our young people as they are sent to war by the president, and I have no doubt that American military power will prevail," Dean said in a statement. "But to ensure that our post-war policies are constructive and humane, based on enduring principles of peace and justice, concerned Americans should continue to speak out; and I intend to do so."

Three of the candidates who've been more hawkish on the war said the imminent war was a reason for national unity and generally back the president. Sen. Joe Lieberman gave President Bush his "full support" and said "time had run out" for a peaceful solution to the crisis. Sen. John Edwards called on Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq, and offered his prayers for the president and U.S. troops. Rep. Dick Gephardt said there would be time to examine any diplomatic failures later, but that "now is the time to unite our country."

Edwards said that he might stop campaigning, but had not made any final decision. "I think we have to collectively and individually make a judgment about that," The Nashua Telegraph quoted Edwards as saying. "I don't want to pre-judge for the other candidacies or for my own." A spokeswoman also said that Edwards plans to campaign in New Hampshire on March 21.

Gephardt spokesman said no definite plans have been set. "We'll make a decision day by day," said spokesman Erik Smith.

Lieberman plans to continue campaigning regardless of a war. "The basic mechanics of campaign and the work of the Senate will continue," said spokesman Jano Cabrera, who added that Lieberman will criticize the president's 2004 budget on Tuesday.

Daschle, the Senate minority leader, echoed Kerry, saying he was "saddened, saddened that this president failed so miserably as diplomacy that we're now forced to war."

The Republican National Committee jumped on Daschle's comments, saying he was being hypocritical after voting in favor of last fall's resolution. "It is disheartening and shameful for Senator Daschle, who has previously advocated and authorized the use of force in Iraq, to now blame America first," RNC Chairman Marc Racicot said in a statement.

The Money Chase Continues: The National Republican Congressional Committee's annual spring dinner will go on tonight at the Washington Hilton as planned with Commerce Secretary and Bush pal Don Evans as the keynote speaker. The ban on soft money has cut the anticipated take from $8 million last year to $4 million this year.

But the increased maximum amount individuals can give to national parties ($57,500 in increments of $25,000) has enabled the truly rich to keep on giving. The parties just need more of them (and their spouses) to make up for the really big checks company executives used to be able to write from the corporate account. In addition, the Republicans have assessed their members of Congress $25,000 each to help the NRCC fund campaigns for vulnerable incumbents.

Another place the parties will be mining is Indian tribes. While "corporations are no banned from donating out of their treasuries, tribes can and with no limit," according to the AP. This has some casino owners crying foul because many Indian tribes are in the gaming business and they feel they'll gain unfair advantage.

Tribal leaders dismiss the criticism as jealously over the Indians new clout. Jacqueline Johnson the executive director of the National Congress of American Indians said the tribes political interests "go far beyond those of casinos, to such issues as economic diversity, improved public service, on reservations and protection of Indian sovereignty."

However, 80 percent of the $7 million Indian tribes gave to federal candidates and national parties in 2002 came from tribes with casino interests according to figures the AP got from the FEC and PoliticalMoneyLine.

Half A Century and Counting: Some supporters of the upcoming war on Iraq may be asking themselves when West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd – one of the Senate's few outspoken anti-war voices – will be stepping down. If Byrd's longevity is any indication, it won't be any time soon.

Top Senate Democrat Tom Daschle took time out on the floor Monday to salute Byrd and his 50-plus years in the House and Senate, as Byrd propelled into third place on the longest-serving Members of Congress list.

"I come to the floor today to congratulate Senator Byrd on reaching this historic milestone and to thank him for the many lessons he has taught me and for the kindnesses he has shown me over these many years," said Daschle.

Topping the list is Democrat Carl Hayden of Arizona who served 56 years, 10 months and 28 days in the House and Senate. Number two, according to the Senate Historian's office, is Rep. Jamie Whitten, D-Miss., who spent 53 years, 2 months and 13 days in the House. Byrd – at 50 years, 2 months and, including today, 15 days - surpassed Rep. Carl Vinson, D-Ga., to take third place.

What about recently retired Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C, you ask? Thurmond holds the all-time record for Senate service at 47 years, 5 months and 16 days. The 85-year-old Byrd is currently second on the Senate-only list, at 44 years, and would break Thurmond's record if he completes his current term, which he was elected to in November 2000.

As for the combined record, Daschle pointed out Byrd only has just under seven years to break that one. "By the way, on December 2, 2009, Senator Byrd will become the longest-serving member in the history of Congress," added Daschle. "I look forward to celebrating that day with him."

Quote of the Day: "What has come to trouble me most over past weeks is the suspicion that if the hanging chads in Florida had gone the other way and Al Gore had been elected we would not now be about to commit British troops." Robin Cook, the British cabinet member who resigned Monday in protest over the pending war against Iraq. (Multiple sources)