But opponents of the treaties still hope for a miracle
" Anyone who shifts against the Panama treaties now would look flabby back home," observed Democratic Senator Alan Cranston of California. Added Majority Leader Robert Byrd: "Now that all the Senators have taken a stand, I believe that they'll stay there. We might even pick up one or two votes."
Thus, as Congress recessed last week for a ten-day vacation, Democratic leaders were confident that they had no chance of losing their 68-to-32 Senate majority in favor of the Panama Canal treaties. The first treaty,...