One of our Senators, of course, is a Republican: Lincoln Chaffee. I feel obligated to vote for his Democratic opponent, just because getting a Democratic majority in the Senate is so important; but I also feel a bit like a jerk writing him a nice letter thanking him for opposing torture when I have no intention of voting for him.

In a way, it's all pretty moot, since I will be pretty surprised if he comes close to losing.

Also, it is sad that I have come to view 'opposes torture' as a sign of a principled legislator, rather than being able to take it for granted.