And in the red corner - our next 2008 contender

Senator Sam Brownback, a longstanding friend of Africa and water, continued his committed leadership by speaking at a group of national water leaders organized by Water Advocates on World Water Day March 22, 2007. In a speech given at that meeting, Sen. Brownback stated that "[t]he global water crisis is currently one of the greatest public health issues, condemning billions of people to a perpetual struggle to survive at the subsistence level. It is unconscionable that in 2007 so many people are dying from waterborne diseases." Talk to me Senator - I need a subscription to that sort of thinking.

He continued with "the crisis is most prevalent in developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Many women and young girls in rural areas in Sub-Saharan African and other parts of the world must walk miles every day to retrieve water for their families."

That's two 2008 contenders on board, 7 Democrats and 9 Republicans to go, I think.