This is a multiple choice question. Who was it that said these words about torture?

“I think there are probably very few people in this room or in America who would say that torture should never ever be used, particularly if thousands of lives are at stake. . . . It is easy to sit back in the armchair and say that torture can never be used, but when you are in the foxhole it is a very different deal. And I respect, I think we all respect, the fact that the president is in the foxhole every day.”

Those very true words were spoken by New York Sen. Charles Schumer back in 2004.  Yes, the president is in that foxhole every day. In the debate about attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey and waterboarding, the foxhole analogy is  something that a few Democrats seem to have forgotten.

Yet in the Sept. 26th Democratic debate,  NBC’s Tim Russert asked if torture should be used if we had captured the No. 3 leader of al-Qaida and he had knowledge of a bomb going off in three days.

Sen. Barack Obama replied he was against torture as a matter of policy but  “there are going to be all sorts of hypotheticals, an emergency situation, and I will make that judgment at that time.”

Which is exactly what President George Bush wants to do.

During the same debate Sen. Hillary Clinton also emphasized she was against torture “as a matter of policy.” (Yes, aren’t we all?) But in earlier statement she wisely left an opening saying severe interrogation methods might be necessary in cases involving an “imminent threat to Americans.”

Yes, wouldn’t any sane candidate say that when this nation is engaged in a war on terrorism?

Waterboarding has been used three times. In each case, the terrorist provided valuable information that may have saved countless lives.

President Bush understands that. Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey understands that. And we believe the vast majority of the American people understand that.

True, Sen. Ted Kennedy doesn’t. But, at one time, Sen. Charles Schumer did. Hopefully, at least a few other Democratic senators will agree with Sen. Schumer and not Sen. Kennedy.