Republicans keep heat on Durbin over remarks

LA Times (via NW Herald) ^ | 6/20/05 | Janet Hook

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WASHINGTON – A Senate Democratic leader is facing mounting criticism for recent comments he made comparing U.S. treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to inhumane tactics used in Nazi, Soviet and Cambodian concentration camps.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the assistant minority leader, subsequently said he regretted that his comments were misunderstood as criticism of U.S. troops. But Republicans have continued to call for a more forthright apology.

"He should certainly apologize," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "There's no comparison whatsoever."

The day before, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., called on the Senate's second-ranking Democrat to apologize and withdraw his comments.

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President Bush and members of his administration understand that there is a vital political component to our efforts against terrorists. When a senior Democrat leader in the U.S. Senate makes such an incredibly stupid accusation against U.S. Marines and other Americans at Guantanimo Bay, and then fails to retract it or even really apologize, that does immense damage to our security. I hope that Senator McCain understands this, because Newt Gingrich is right, the Senate must censure Dick Durbin.

[mirkwood]

http://durbin.senate.gov/intern.htm

[Sacajaweau]

It's interesting that Rather could pull up his "forged" story on Bush and get away with it.

And here's Durbin, "Live, and in his own words" being caressed by the media. There is no way to misunderstand what Durbin said. It was a point blank statement intended to damage Bush and the military. (Notice that Hillary is silent). Commander in Chief potential....I don't think so.

[mirkwood]

Illinois State Intern Coordinators and Office Addresses:

Ms. Camille Smith, Intern Coordinator
Office of U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin
230 South Dearborn
Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
phone: (312) 353-4952
fax: (312) 353-0150

Ms. Anne Dougherty, Intern Coordinator
Office of U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin
525 S. 8th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
phone: (217) 492-4062
fax: (217) 492-4382

Ms. Donna Eastman, Intern Coordinator
Office of U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin
701 N. Court Street
Marion, IL 62959
phone: (618) 998-8812
fax: (618) 997-0176

[DCPatriot]

...because Newt Gingrich is right, the Senate must censure Dick Durbin.

You misspelled expell.

[kittymyrib]

When Al-Jazeera quotes Durbin Ladin approvingly, that's all the evidence we need that he has given aid and comfort to the enemy in time of war. He should be run out of town, not just censured, but the heat needs to stay on him until he's made to publically retract his treasonous statements from the floor of the Senate. Then let's see if his friends at Al-Jazeera will publish that through out the Muslim world.

[jurroppi1]

I think Durbin is just piling insult on top of injury here with his statement "I am sorry what I said was misunderstood". It wasn't misunderstood Mr. Durbin, it was taken within the context of the words you used, and then understood perfectly...

What a lowlife is Durbin!

[Piquaboy]

By saying that he was misunderstood, Turbin is calling us stupid.

[PGalt]

Republican "heat" is an air-conditioned room in a Senate office. Disgusting. Enablers.

[MinuteGal]

So did you, LOL.

Leni

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Dickie knows more about dressing in his mommies clothes than anything military.

[Coop]

Ahhh, yes, it took less than ten posts for someone to blame the GOP.

[Obadiah]

I think Durbin is just piling insult on top of injury here with his statement "I am sorry what I said was misunderstood". It wasn't misunderstood Mr. Durbin, it was taken within the context of the words you used, and then understood perfectly...
What a lowlife is Durbin!

Exactly right!

[possumdawg]

I called both my Senators and asked them , why I have not heard anything from them concerning the Durbin statement. I will keep the heat on my two Republican Senators from Georgia and I hope everyone else will too.

[TGOGary]

Like I have stated on other post. Dick Turbin needs to go bury himself in the bottom floor of the closest outhouse.

[NRA1995]

Gonna have to do an endless Freep on this Tuck's Pad until he RETRACTS what he said.

[Tanniker Smith]

"He should certainly apologize," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Sunday

Well, I guess he's good for some things.

TS

[CivilWarguy]

The heat may be on Durbin in other states, but not in IL, especially not in Chicago, where the Chicago Tribune has done its usual news blackout of any story that threatens to make Liberals look bad.

[Coop]

I called both my Senators and asked them , why I have not heard anything from them concerning the Durbin statement. I will keep the heat on my two Republican Senators from Georgia and I hope everyone else will too.

That's exactly the right approach, IMHO. And let the RNC and NRSC hear it as well.

[Coop]

Don't give McPain too much credit. He said "the majority" of our military personnel don't deserve comparison to the Nazis and Soviets. In other words, some of them do. He's a piece of... work.