McDermott attacks Bush as liar over WMD during prescription debate on the floor

C-SPAN | June 26, 2003 | Jim McDermott

[Republican Wildcat]

The debate is one of the nastiest I've seen on the floor of the House of all time--Nancy Johnson (R-CT) seems to be taking the brunt of the vicious attacks (and I do mean vicious) from the Democrats.

Jim McDermott (D-WA) just said the Republicans can't be trusted on prescription drugs because WMD have not been found in Iraq (he mistakenly said "Iran" first, at which time the Republican members took the opportunity to laugh hysterically at him). Called Bush a liar, at which time the Chair ordered him to sit down. Billy Tauzin (R) followed up by saying "It looks like we just found Baghdad Bob." McDermott broke in out of order and asked if it was appropriate for a member to do this, at which time he was again slapped down by the Chair as being out of order.

Frank Pallone (D-NJ) went completely crazy just after that--it was insane asylum material. Frank Stark (D-CA)now calling Ryan (R-WI) a liar.

[Republican Wildcat]

Now this is where it gets interesting...there could be enough Republicans voting against this on the conservative side to defeat the whole thing. I think that is a mistake, because then the House would consider the Senate bill without going to conference, and then the Senate bill would likely pass with enough Republicans not wanting to be "against" the concept, and of course the Dems would vote for it because it is essentially their bill.

[scott7278]

What utopia! What a savior Clinton was! Oh, the horror of the Republicans! Intelligence requires more than asking questions.

[PhiKapMom]

Couldn't agree more! The clintons will take out everyone in their way!

Keep hearing he will go down in flames in the Senate race -- all of a sudden the newspaper in SD admits to being biased for Daschle! Give me a break!

[Mo1]

I always find it amazing that Dems won't let me keep the money that I/my husband earned ..

[PhiKapMom]

I think we have enough with the DemocRATs now numbering three to pass it. Would expect to pick up maybe a few more RATs but now Republicans against is up to 11. If we can hold the rest of the Republicans, they cannot win. Most they would get is 214 if we stand firm on the rest!

[Republican Wildcat]

With 11 GOP against, this bill is toast, unless some of them switch and some more Dems vote for it.

[Mo1]

My guess is that Hildebeast was advising him....KNOWING that he would be made the fool and go down in flames!!!! Fnny thing is Tomm will think it was Rush that destroyed him, but really it will be the Clintons!!!

Naaaaaaaaaa ... Tommy knows its the Clinton's and he also knows that there is not a thing he can do about it also

That should strike fear in the other dems ..

[scott7278]

Here's a genious...

[Republican Wildcat]

Well, I forgot that the GOP could amend the Senate bill when they considered it in the House, essentially going with the conservatives to get their votes. This could end up being even better than when we started. 13 GOP now against.

[PhiKapMom]

We have a wider margin but we cannot afford anymore defections from the GOP and would feel better if we pick up some RAT votes! They need 218 and right now they can only reach 216 if we hold the rest!

[PhiKapMom]

One GOP went from NAY to YEA -- someone got to them!

[Republican Wildcat]

Okay, I'm suffering through this now. The Democrats are calling in on all three lines.

[Mo1]

13 GOP now against

Now it says 12 GOP

[TLBSHOW]

I have ny fingers crossed that the conservatives defeat this.

[PhiKapMom]

This is nervewracking. Cannot figure why it is taking them so long to vote when they just had votes! Must be some arm twisting going on!

[scott7278]

This just in: A line of Democrats are waiting for the moderator to come out of his sound booth for letting a real Republican on a while ago.

[Republican Wildcat]

These people on the phones are idiots! IDIOTS!

[PhiKapMom]

Some Republican switched back to YEA!

[Republican Wildcat]

Some lady now on saying that the government is better than private industry because the Medicare hotline is better than the hotline of a private provider she's had experience with!

[scott7278]

"Here's a genious..."

I'm a genius -- LOL!