Era of civility off to rude start (liberal columnist denounces Webb's rudeness to Bush)

Sit News ^ | November 30, 2006 | Dan Thomasson

[Clintonfatigued]

Many of us disagree with the way the war has been conducted and even whether it should have been undertaken in the first place. But even the most ardent critics of the Bush administration, including the newly elected heads of the House and Senate majorities, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reed, had the good sense not to so befoul the atmosphere. Both have made exceptional gestures to try to stimulate bipartisan discussion with the White House about Iraq and other matters.

If Webb wanted nothing to do with the president, he should not have accepted the invitation to attend the reception. If he felt that being in the presence of the nation's chief executive was demeaning, but believed it was politically necessary to drink the White House punch, he should have gone through the motions politely and moved on, discarding the picture when it arrived. Perhaps his Marine son, who serves under Bush, might have liked the photo of his father with his commander-in-chief. Which brings up another question: What does his son think of his father's actions? I guarantee that my sons would have been extremely embarrassed under the circumstances. I would be disappointed if they weren't.

This situation should embarrass the voters of Virginia who should have paid more attention to the reputation of the man they were electing. There was plenty of evidence. But then they once elected a senator who, when he was labeled the dumbest man in the Senate by an obscure magazine, held a press conference to deny it. The Democrats and Virginians face some tough times with this new guy, who probably can count on being ignored by the White House for the next two years.

[Clintonfatigued]

Who knows? Before long, Virginia voters may have buyers' remorse over electing that pornographer. It's quite possible that Webb could be a one-term Senator.

[etradervic]

Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as a dufus in the Senate.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Webb is the DemocRATS' Mark Foley. His election will come back to haunt the 'RATS and that will be a good thing.

[Racer1]

I hope so. He's completely out of line on this one. He owes the Pres an apology.

[NonValueAdded]

"But then [Virginia voters] once elected a senator who, when he was labeled the dumbest man in the Senate by an obscure magazine, held a press conference to deny it."

LOL ... if said about Kerry, he'd hold a press conference to confirm it!

[Jeff Chandler]

this new guy, who probably can count on being ignored by the White House for the next two years.

There is nothing in President Bush's past behavior to suggest that he will do anything other than shower Webb with greater praise and deference than he would on a political ally.

[mort56]

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reed, had the good sense not to so befoul the atmosphere. Both have made exceptional gestures to try to stimulate bipartisan discussion with the White House about Iraq and other matters.

Both have made exceptional gestures?

Dan, put the crack pipe down and step away from the keyboard!

[F-117A]

Ping!

[Clintonfatigued]

It's a notable development that an anti-war, anti-Bush liberal is denouncing Webb.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

What he did and said does seem quite rude. How come you didn't post the actual diss?

If you use Internet Explorer or Opera, http://www.freerepublic.com/~jedimasterpikachu/ is very unorganized. If you know how to fix it, could you freepmail?

[sgtbono2002]

The guy is a dipstick who writes pronographic literature.

The perfect Democrat.

[sgtbono2002]

Pornographic---pornographic. Dyslexia is not your friend.

[fleagle]

I generally like Dan Thomasson's articles. He's the kind of columnist I don't have to always agree with to respect.

"The Democrats and Virginians face some tough times with this new guy, who probably can count on being ignored by the White House for the next two years."

LOVE that line.

This is an excellent article. Thanks for posting.

[BigFinn]

"...made it clear he will be his own man no matter what his Democratic colleagues want."

This porno-crat will be a thorn in their side.

[mountainfolk]

Let us hope that President Bush realizes that Republicans need to see a strong arm in his party that recognizes loyalty and deals prudently with enemies, of which James Webb is certainly one. Our political leadership has been seriously negligent in demanding loyalty of one another and maybe the President can set the new tone by example. I was quite relieved to read that he answered Webb with 'that is not what I asked', which tells me that he is already demonstrating that he will not accept gratuitous insults lightly. Webb may have given us a defining moment where President Bush, whom I love and respect, puts the RATs on notice that his compassion has been redirected toward his own party.

[modhom]

I think it was supposed to say,
Both have made exceptional gestures to try to simulate bipartisan discussion with the White House about Iraq and other matters.

[Oklahoma]

Before Webb is finished he'll be horsewhipped, tarred and feathered, and run out of Washington on a rail......and it will be appropriate.

[Past Your Eyes]

Some people are too stupid to be ashamed. Webb is obviously one of those people.

[AmishDude]

Uh, tagline!