Posted on 04/07/2005 9:10:02 AM PDT by LouAvul
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Mel Martinez said Wednesday an infamous unsigned memo passed around on Capitol Hill emphasizing the politics of the Terri Schiavo case originated in his office.
The memo -- first reported by ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two days later -- said the fight going on then over removing Schiavo's feeding tube "is a great political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats."
"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was described at the time as being circulated among Senate Republicans while legislation was being considered to place the Schiavo case under the jurisdiction of federal courts.
Martinez, R-Florida, said in a written statement that he discovered Wednesday that the memo had been written by an aide in his office.
"It is with profound disappointment and regret that I learned today that a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document," Martinez said.
He said he accepted the resignation of the staffer who drafted and circulated the memo. "This type of behavior and sentiment will not be tolerated in my office," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Why is this controversial? Of course Senators and their staffs look at the political angles and possible fallout before getting involved in proposed legislation. Of course they think about how it will affect both parties. That's politics. Many of them do want to do right and help people, but they are elected in a political process, answer to their constituents in a political process, and operate daily in a political process.
How could anybody be so stupid? Good job dumb@$$!
Everything in that sentence is true. Unless there is something else, I don't see the big deal. Sounds like a policy statement.
BIG NEWS Sandy Berger -- little news
Was it an "aide" or his counsel (I heard counsel)? Fairly big difference. An "aide" could be a kid just out of college. His counsel is his attorney and likely somebody he knew well. In either case, the person is a moron. I hope it was a kid just out of college though because if not, it shows Sen. Martinez hires idiots.
... if it's discovered. We were all thinking that, and all politicians at all levels of government were trying to figure out how to leverage this poor woman's case to our political advantage, but to let our obvious plans be publicly confirmed is inexcusable.
This whole fiaso is going to haunt the Republicans longer than Newt's government shutdown; worst political bungle since Watergate.
Because the public already thought Congress was getting involved in the Schiavo case for political reasons. This just confirms it, and gives the Democrats ammunition. Not to mention that conservative pundits spent all last week talking this down as a fabrication, and now have egg on their faces. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Not a good week for the GOP.
Kind of what I always thought, the memo was real but not from a Senator. Not really much of a story though. If a Democratic memo like this was found, nothing would be thought of it.
Like it or not, the rules are different for Republicans.
"Because the public already thought Congress was getting involved in the Schiavo case for political reasons. This just confirms it, and gives the Democrats ammunition. Not to mention that conservative pundits spent all last week talking this down as a fabrication, and now have egg on their faces. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Not a good week for the GOP."
Well said. I hope Martinez gets beat in a Republican primary next election. Bush carried him to the finish line in the November election, without him he doesn't stand a chance. And this is what he gives us in return. As for his aide, he needs to move to Berkley to be with his people. Because he clearly is working for liberals or either lacks a brain.
I posted here my speculation that memo was a Democrat dirty trick. This crow I'm eating tastes awful.
Ditto.
I'm actually surprised at how quickly folks are trying to excuse this sort of thing.
"'This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue,' said the memo"
"Everything in that sentence is true. Unless there is something else, I don't see the big deal. Sounds like a policy statement."
Correct.
The "big deal" turned out to be that the Republicans saw the issue, used it to get the pro-life base excited, but then cut and ran when the going got tough.
So, the pro-life base was fully mobilized, and excited, and then had the REPUBLICANS walk away from them in the fight.
Net result: anger and massive demotivation in the pro-life base, which the Republicans seem to be doing their damndest to make worse by walking away from the Nuclear Option.
A bad couple of weeks for the GOP.
Failure to pass the Nuclear Option will be lethal.
LOL!
What type of despicable behavior would that be, slimeball?
The truth?
Agree. It was all for political show. They didn't care about poor Terri. I am disgusted! When it looked like the polls were turning against Terri, they all ran for the hills, letting Terri be dehydrated/starved to death. Now it turns out the polls were wrong - the people did not approve of Terri being treated like that - now the politicians are scurrying around trying to undo the damage. Too late! NEVER FORGET!!
Yeah, they should have just ignored the issue and waited for her to die. It's never good to call attention to the idea that you want to save a life.
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