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.

[scott7278]

You bet. Something isn't right -- the Majority Whip should have had these guys straightened out, I would think, before the vote.

[PhiKapMom]

We had a large margin to defeat the Rangel amendment and now if they defeated this one, they would be getting a similar deal. Someone blew this!

[scott7278]

Roy Blount might not be in his position any longer -- this would be a major embarrassment.

[PhiKapMom]

I think Blount should step aside myself! A Whip has to know what is going on and it is obvious he didn't!

[Republican Wildcat]

concessions need to be made to the conservative hold outs. Otherwise, the failure of passage is not going to make for good headlines in the morning.

The media will spin to blame the 20 Republicans rather than the 194 Democrats, of course.

[Mo1]

I think a few are playing hard ball to see what they can get out of the deal

I agree Delay should have had this taken care of before the vote .. but these hold outs are just as responsible.

I also would like to know who those 20 GOPS are

[Republican Wildcat]

There is a lesson to be learned in this--making the conservatives unhappy costs more votes than making the moderates unhappy.

Another vote just trickled in.

[TLBSHOW]

Rush will let you know at noon!

[PhiKapMom]

I am with you on the 20 GOP! Not to mention the 1 voting Present!

Looks like two RAT holdouts as well!

One more Republican YEA!

[Mo1]

I would agree with you on Blount and would imagine that the person now twisting arms is the old Whip Tom DeLay!

Where the heck have I been .. When did Blount take over?

[Republican Wildcat]

...for both sides.

[justshe]

Grrrrrrr..........y'all got ME hooked on this now! I should have been in bed LONG ago. Started reading the thread....switched to CSPAN....and now I'm in for the duration.

[PhiKapMom]

And the media won't mention the 9 Democrats that voted for the bill! Sure wish I knew who the 20 were!

[ArneFufkin]

My guess was that the "Present" was Ron Paul.

[Mo1]

Rush can bite me

It's almost 2:30 AM and I'm not in the mood .. Thank you

[lowbridge]

They're all scripted...an old lady just called in and said she was 82 and a Republican her whole life, but no more. The Democrat's plan is "much better," she said, and so she's changing.

Bwahahahaha!!!!!!!! Do the Dems actually think we buy this? And what do they hope to accomplish with this overused lie?

[PhiKapMom]

When J.C. left the Conference Chair to retire and DeLay moved to Majority Leader when Dick Armey retired. Two new people joined the Leadership Team!

[PhiKapMom]

You summed it up perfectly for me as well. I could care less what Rush has to say about much of anything recently!

[Mo1]

HA! .. Welcome to the club .. I still need to finish cleaning the house for going to bed

DANG!!! .. now it's 214-216

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Republican Wildcat]

C-SPAN needs to play the track of the Jeopardy music during this...