McDermott questions timing of arrest

Seattle Times ^ | Alex Fryer

[trajanus_red]

WASHINGTON — On Seattle radio yesterday, Rep. Jim McDermott questioned the timing of Saddam Hussein's capture, saying, "I'm sure they could have found him a long time ago if they wanted to."

His comments came during an interview on "The Dave Ross Show" on KIRO-FM.

"I've been surprised they waited, but then I thought, well, politically, it probably doesn't make much sense to find him just yet," he said.

"There's too much by happenstance for it to be just a coincidental thing that it happened on this particular day," he continued.

Later yesterday, the Seattle Democrat said he did not know whether the Pentagon had manufactured the arrest of the Iraqi leader. "I think the fact is that the administration has been desperate to find something (positive), and this came up.

"I don't have any knowledge if they knew about it (Saddam's hideout). I think they (Bush administration) got a Christmas present early."

State Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance quickly launched a statement condemning McDermott's earlier statements. "Once again McDermott has embarrassed this state with his irresponsible ranting."

Despite the capture of the Iraqi leader, McDermott said Americans should remain concerned about the welfare of U.S. troops.

"My worry is that problems will be just as bad tomorrow," said McDermott, who has represented the 7th District since 1988.

"... It is not the end of the problem. The fact that he is in captivity does not change things."

McDermott's comment stands in contrast to other members of the state's delegation, who lauded Saddam's capture.

In September 2002, McDermott made news when he traveled to Iraq and told television interviewers that President Bush would mislead the public to justify an invasion.

It's an incident that continues to reverberate on Capitol Hill.

Two months ago, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, wrote McDermott a personal letter after McDermott denounced a comment by a member of DeLay's office. The staffer said McDermott had attacked the U.S. while he visited Iraq.

Instead of an apology, DeLay wrote: "Your words, had they been spoken in the United States, would have amounted to mean-spirited but predictable mediocre hackery. That they were uttered in Saddam's Iraq, however, perhaps within shouting distance of a torture chamber or mass grave, elevated (or lowered) those remarks to the sickening embarrassment they were."

[trajanus_red]

It's one of those days where I start pondering the possiblity of leaving Seattle for good...

[Shermy]

Is Patty Murray still talking about how Osama builds roads and schools for poor children?

[Onelifetogive]

I think he should be minority leader...

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

This little weasel operates on 10% brainpower.

He has to look at a manual in order to take a leak!

[Sacajaweau]

How can anyone even THINK so stupidly.

If we could've gotten him earlier, we would have and stashed him away until the so called "right time"....Which Is????

"Anytime" is the "right time".

Total Idiots!!!!!!

[tbpiper]

McDermott said Americans should remain concerned about the welfare of U.S. troops.

I am concerned about the welfare of the troops, particularly when this a$$hole and his ilk are constantly giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

[Grampa Dave]

Jim, obviously took too many mind altering prescription drugs while he was a psyc.. His mind got altered so bad, it hasn't been stable for decades.

[dighton]

Jim McDermott, right, on a Bars of Baghdad fact-finding tour.

[joesnuffy]

Thats funny the Rats accuse Pres Bush over using the capture of Sodom Insane as a ruse to deflect criticism for some other political problem or even better they accuse him of 09-11 by omission or duplicity...

And neglect how many such incidences Clinton was able to "luck into" whenever some scandal erupted..(which was pretty much non stop for 8 years)
The height of such scandals was about the time OK City, Ok had their Fed Building bombed...

and the town was crawling with muslims...spreading anti American propaganda amongst themselves...

Coincidence?

[hoosiermama]

WHAT AN ARSE!

[general_re]

Jim McDermott, right, on a Bars of Baghdad fact-finding tour.

Think he stumbled on the Army's SCSU (Saddam Cold-Storage Unit)?

[commish]

Commish questions sanity of McDerrmott.

[Jokelahoma]

McDermott knows he can get away with this garbage. He also knows that he'll be lauded by many members of his ideological group. There will be no repercussion for this statement. The political right will crinkle their noses or roll their eyes and go on, while the leftists will take this and run with it. Think about this:

Not having proof to back up a statement has never stopped a leftist.

Knowing an idea was needlessly inflammatory and bordering on "kook" has never stopped a leftist.

Once any leftist makes remarks, as McDermott did in Baghdad, which should amount to charges of treason, and nothing is done, they are emboldened. They also know that in order to continue to get press they have to be more and more off the wall each time they speak. Eventually, little Jimmy will let his alligator mouth overload his tadpole keister and be voted out (not likely in the area of Moscow on the Pugot Sound), or he'll go so far that he'll drift in irrelevance (where I believe he finds himself already). Until that time, we'll have to put up with more and more from him.

I only wish someone had the stones to publically, VERY publically challenge him on this, and not let him up for air until he's forced to admit that he's a nut. Alas, I think I'll be waiting a long time for that.

[nothingnew]

It's one of those days where I start pondering the possiblity of leaving Seattle for good...

You're still there? I've got a step daughter there who is so PC it makes me ill at times, and even she is considering leaving. She doesn't drink Starbucks...maybe that's the key.

FMCDH

[Skip Ripley]

Sounds like he's bucking for a spot on the ticket with Howie Dean..

[kellynla]

Don't feel bad. The entire Congress is filled with morons like McDermott. Yes, the entire U.S. Army and Marine Corps have been conspiring for the past eight months to wait until now to arrest Saddam. If that had been the case they really should have waited until November 2004 right before the election to find Saddam, don't you think? But then we are waiting until November to arrest OBL now aren't we. ROFLMAO

[chiefqc]

A vacation at the tax payers expense.

[ppaul]

BAGHDAD JIM

TRAITOR!

[Hildy]

He was being honest. People like him ONLY see things politically. He said THIS WAS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR BUSH. Not, this is great for Iraqi people, Iraq's future, etc. I hope everyone remembers this next election.