Republicans file past Bob Dole in a wheelchair. Why? To vote AGAINST a UN treaty for people with disabilities.

Image from politico.com. Bob and Elizabeth Dole on the far right edge of the picture.

From Politico:

Former Senate Republican Leader Bob Dole came to the Senate floor Tuesday to make a personal appeal for lawmakers to ratify a United Nations treaty for people with disabilities.

Dole, who was in wheelchair, came to the floor shortly before senators began to vote. Accompanied by his wife, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, he listened as Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) made a final push for the treaty. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) walked over to greet Dole, smiling and patting Dole’s back.

In a touching moment, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), who also uses a wheelchair and has publicly urged the Senate to ratify the treaty, joined Dole at one point, holding hands with him as they talked and listened to Kerry.

“Don’t let Sen. Bob Dole down,” Kerry told senators, gesturing toward Dole.

Image from thecable.com

It failed in a 61-38 vote. 67 votes were needed. All Senate Democrats voted for the measure, joined by only eight Republicans.

From Rachel Maddow on Twitter:

“The spectacle of Senate Republicans voting against the UN treaty on the rights of the disabled — and walking past Bob Dole in a wheelchair on their way to do it — should be news, real and big news.”

Dole is one of the last Republicans with any integrity.

You stay classy, GOP.