WASHINGTON - Shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, one of North Carolina's most conservative Republicans, crossed the aisle.

He stood on the Democratic side of the U.S. House of Representatives floor, his voice cracking from emotion or overuse, and helped to dole out the minutes for some two hours of debate on the symbolic resolution condemning President Bush's so-called surge of troops into Iraq.

Jones led a group of Republicans in speaking out in favor of a Democratic resolution. He was one of three members -- and the only Republican -- to author the measure.

The Democrats sent out their advocates in waves: first the veterans on Tuesday, then the GOP backers like Jones, then the Congressional Black Caucus, then the fiscally conservative Blue Dogs.

Jones was the GOP man.

Wednesday morning, he stood somberly behind a lectern, helping to manage floor debate in the near-empty chamber.

His voice raspy and tinged with his Southern upbringing, Jones quoted military experts and soldiers as he introduced Republican after Republican -- including Rep. Howard Coble of Greensboro -- to oppose Bush's move.

"I am persuaded by all available evidence that an escalation of U.S. troop levels is not the way forward in Iraq," Jones said.

Well into the afternoon, Jones' gray hair was mussed, his voice strained. He talked about visiting a sergeant who had lost both legs during a third tour in Iraq. And he talked about the need to help Bush find a diplomatic solution.

"Let's pass this resolution," Jones said. "Let's not put our men and women in the middle to referee this war."

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