WASHINGTON -- As the month began, Democrats were beginning to question President George W. Bush's handling of the war against terrorism.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat and a consistent supporter of things military, raised new issues with Defense Department officials in an Appropriations Committee hearing last week. He suggested he wanted to have a better understanding of the goals of the administration's efforts in the war on terrorism beyond Afghanistan, before he was prepared to spend more money.

"There seems to be no end in sight," Byrd said. Since he is the committee chairman, his concerns are important.