Key Support for Blackwater In Senate

Sources: Obama quote reported in July 25, 2008 US News & World Report: Webb and Kerry quotes elicited and made possible by Jeremy Scahill, DemocracyNow! website.

Partisanship seen as motivator for attacks

Political partisanship is seen as the prime motivator for the continued attacks on Blackwater. In an article titled "Democrats Target Blackwater," the Washington Times reports, "Congressional Democrats, frustrated by repeated failures to force an end to the war in Iraq, now are heaping criticism upon Blackwater USA and other private military contractors supporting the mission."

The paper cites the prime congressional critics of the company - all partisan Democrats - including: Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH); and Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Barack Obama (D-IL).

Another critic is former Senator John Edwards (D-NC), a presidential candidate who is trying to link Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to Blackwater.

One of Edwards' former trial lawyer partners stands to make millions presently by suing Blackwater, but Edwards has not revealed that apparent conflict of interest.