Posted on 04/06/2005 7:51:15 PM PDT by Trueredstater
WASHINGTON (AP) — A one-page unsigned memo that became part of the debate preceding Congress' vote ordering a federal court review of the Terri Schiavo case originated in Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez' office, Martinez said Wednesday.
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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 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.
Martinez said in a written statement 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, whom he did not identify, who drafted and circulated the memo. "This type of behavior and sentiment will not be tolerated in my office," he said.
"Until this afternoon, I had never seen it and had no idea a copy of it had ever been in my possession," Martinez said of the document. He had previously denied knowing anything about the memo and condemned its sentiments.
Martinez, in his statement, said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, had asked for background information on the bill ordering a federal court to review the Schiavo case.
He said he pulled a one-page document from his coat pocket and handed to Harkin. "Unbeknownst to me ... I had given him a copy of the now infamous memo."
He said Harkin had called him earlier Wednesday to say he believes the memo had been given to him by Martinez. The Florida senator said he then ordered an internal investigation in his office.
Allison Dobson, a spokeswoman for Harkin, said the Iowa Democrat had received the memo from Martinez in the days leading up to passage of the bill.
Martinez said he also had apologized to Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who is up for re-election in 2006 and was cited in the memo because he had declined to become a sponsor of the bill.
Originally published Apr. 6, 2005.
Why is this a scandal? Who cares?
Well, I guess the Powerline folks will have to eat a bit of crow. So be it.
A memo! Of talking points! GASP!
Who cares if somebody wrote the memo? It's true, isn't it?
Interesting!!!!
I don't like it because it was discussing the political advantages of the Schiavo case. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth even if I agree with them. I try to ask myself, If the other side did this would I be upset, and if the answer is yes, then . . .
I know, but many here and in the blogosphere were jumping the gun by insinuating that it came from dem staffers or the like. Not a good thing to do if you don't have a shred of evidence.
Only republican memos are reported in the MSM. Why is that?
well said.
I wonder if any of MSM sources have heard of Sandy Berger( Burler)? What not interesting stuff enough to print about treason and theft of government papers?
BREAKING: Martinez memo found in Sandy Berger's pants...
Thanks, I just see so many of us (I know I've done it) jumping all over libs when they do something wrong. Let's hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Between this and Cornyn's braindead remarks which hint at justification for violence against judges, this has been a disastrous week for the GOP Senate.
A memo coming from a GOP office, suggesting how the Schiavo travesty can be used for political gain... maybe it's not a scandal, but it sure as Hell leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
No, no, there was that memo from the Judiciary committee. Of course, this was only known as the "stolen" memo.
Exactly. The press is tryijng to puff this nonsense up into something that matters. Like the Valerie Plame case but even less significant.
Senators have political agendas! Who knew??
Please pass the smelling salts, Laura, I feel faint. ;)
Agreed. Overzealous, certainly. Wanting to make a splash with the boss, most likely. (Guess he succeeded there!)
Feeds into the hand of the left.
What's interesting is, I thought this was an admitted or exposed DNC forgery.
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