When Sen. Jim Webb's GI bill was on the verge of passing the Senate last Thursday, he said he would not be excited until President Bush signed the bill.

That moment came and went yesterday as Bush signed the GI benefits package as part of the supplemental war funding bill, but the moment received no fanfare. Present at the signing, which occurred inside the White House, were administration officials only.

Webb and other legislators and veterans groups were not invited.

Last night, Webb criticized Bush on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC show.

Bush had said at the signing that the bill "shows the American people that even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops and their families."

Webb scoffed at Bush's remarks.

"There was a great deal of cooperation among Republicans and Democrats -- it just didn't include the administration," Webb said on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann. "This president missed a real opportunity to show leadership and true respect for the people who served."

-- Neil H. Simon