Ohio congresswoman apologizes for ‘coward’ comment
While I strongly disagree with his policy, neither Representative Bubp nor I ever wished to attack Congressman Murtha. I only take exception to his policy position.
- Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH)
Few Republicans have earned their DUMB@$$ AWARD more than Ohio Congressman Jean Schmidt. When Congressional Republicans needed someone to smear fellow Congressman, decorated war hero, and Democrat John Murtha, she stepped up to the plate, a useful idiot if ever there was one. Since Republicans clearly were unable to debate with Murtha on the merits of his argument, why not sacrifice one of their own less distinguished, borderline coherent ideologues to do the dirty work of questioning his courage and patriotism? Of course, once the damage has been done, she can issue the usual pro forma insincere apology, have her comments stricken from the Congressional Record and consider the matter closed. Nice, eh?
Those in the House GOP leadership can feign outrage and fall over themselves in abject apology all they want, but the sad reality is that this entire sorry episode was likely a case of Jean Schmidt falling on her sword to serve her party. What else would possess a Congresswoman to throw such vile, unsupportable charges at a fellow Congressman with 30+ years of military experience? I seriously doubt that Schmidt possesses the intellectual candlepower to come up with this lunacy by herself. Though she is clearly a craven, partisan hack, Schmidt likely couldn’t rub two sticks together without being instructed to do so by the House GOP leadership. Sometimes, being a “good soldier” gives you the opportunity to really put the wood to another good soldier for the good of Party and President..
John Murtha deserves better. WE ALL DESERVE BETTER.
Schmidt was booed off the House floor Friday after she criticized Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, saying that “cowards cut and run, Marines never do.”
When Schmidt made the comment, Democrats rose in protest at the suggestion that Murtha, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, was a coward.
Schmidt said the comment came from a conversation with state Rep. Danny Bubp….
Bubp, also a Republican, has denied discussing Murtha with Schmidt.
“Our conversation was based strictly on the proposal to immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq and the consequences of such a proposal,” Bubp said in a statement.
Neither Schmidt nor Bubp returned calls left at their offices Tuesday.
Of course, why should either Schmidt or Bubp return calls? They’ve done what they were asked to do, and there’s no reason for them to be involved in this sorry saga any longer. They’ve smeared the name and questioned the patriotism and courage of a genuine war hero (the fact that he’s a Democrat makes him fair game). What more do they need to do?
Of all the despicable tactics the GOP has resorted to in their efforts to deflect attention from the debacle in Iraq, Schmidt’s seemingly off-the-reservation skewering of John Murtha is easily the worst. It would appear that there is no depth to which Republicans will not sink to maintain and protect their power. It’s true; power corrupts…and nowhere is that more true than with the Republican Party. How these people can look at themselves in the mirror is something I will never understand.
