Embarrassed by the few media that will report his 87 percent absenteeism rate, the Massachusetts Democrat has condescended to return to Capitol Hill today to "make a critical vote on behalf of America's 26 million veterans," his handlers proclaimed.

Such a magnanimous flip-flop after he voted against funding the troops he voted to send to Iraq.

Still, it's a grand display of noblesse oblige for which we should all bow down and express gratitude. Or is he just trying to avoid a repeat of that humiliating episode last month when Democrats failed to extend jobless benefits because he was AWOL?

Editor's note: