Barton/TX manuvers ouster of first female veteran from Armed Svcs Cmte

Albuquerque Tribune/Scripps Howard News Service ^ | January 7, 2005 | James W. Brosnan

[DesertDreamer]

WASHINGTON - Rep. Heather Wilson is scheduled to arrive at Fort Bliss, Texas, today on her first, and quite possibly last, junket as a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The Albuquerque Republican said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton, a Texas Republican, has refused to sign a waiver of House rules to let her stay on a second major committee. That comes after the Republican Steering Committee on Thursday rejected Barton's request to oust Wilson from his committee.

[DesertDreamer]

Anyone out there in the TX 6th District? Please get your pitbull back in the yard. This is a totally stupid use of poltical power for a net loss for the Republicans.

[sgtbono2002]

Dont know her ,Not from Texas, but she does make some noises like a Rino.

[Let's Roll]

Can't comment on the RINO part but Rep. Wilson is a graduate of the Air Force Academy. IIRC, the only and or first female graduate of a service academy to serve in Congress.

[sgtbono2002]

Kudos for that. point in her favor.

Not saying she shouldnt oppose things she feels are wrong either. Just that we need solidarity.

[DesertDreamer]

Since you admit to not knowing Wilson, I'll cut you some slack. For the record, she's no RINO, but Barton is definitely coming across as some kind of troglodyte. I have conservative friends in TX who agree that he has idiot tendencies.

[steplock]

Wilson is a graduate of the Air Force Academy.

That explains it - the AFA teaches touchy-feely war tactics now --- the politically correct war is to ask you enemies to please use a washed blade before they cut your head off.

[VaBthang4]

Since you fail to grasp the "principle" principle, I'll cut you some slack. She was told no. End of discussion. Walk away and get back to work with what is already on her plate.

And all due respect but her being a graduate of the Air Force Academy is a beautiful thing but nothing that'll move mountains.

[sinkspur]

I have conservative friends in TX who agree that he has idiot tendencies.

Your friends don't know what they're talking about. Barton has been my congressman for 16 years, and is as solid as they come.

Perhaps there's something behind this you and I aren't aware of.

Until then, you'd be advised to hold your fire on Barton, lest you come across as a complete dope.

[mighty_righty]

amen!

[DesertDreamer]

I think you're a little confused here. Leadership told Barton "No" when he requested to remove Wilson from Energy & Commerce. Then he refused to grant a waiver to allow Wilson to continue to serve on both Armed Services and Energy & Commerce. Barton has made it clear that his refusal is in retaliation for Wilson calling for complete disclosure from the Administration on the cost of the Medicare changes. Sure sounds to me like understanding the entire cost of a federal program is more conservative than not.

So you've been satisfied with Barton so far, that doesn't mean he isn't the one who's a bonehead this time.

[Dog Gone]

The headline is wrong. Wilson will have to make a choice which committee she will be on.

[BobS]

Is this the first time she was told "NO!"?

[DesertDreamer]

No. You're wrong. She has been serving on both committees. Barton is retaliating for Wilson standing up for conservative principles (full disclosure of Medicare costs). Just because he's TX Republican, doesn't mean he's a political genius.

Barton is making it clear that his political aspirations are more important than conservative ideals and what's best for the party.

[DesertDreamer]

Is this the first time she was told "NO!"?

To my knowledge, yes.

[Dog Gone]

How am I wrong? True, she has been serving on both committees, and now she can't unless other Republicans overrule Barton.

But he did not kick her off the Armed Services committee. He wasn't even able to kick her off of HIS committee. Just read the story you yourself posted.

[DesertDreamer]

Barton took the only action left to him after his retalitory request was turned down by leadership. His refusal to grant the waiver forces Wilson off Armed Services and has the same effect he was trying to achieve in the first place. Which means he didn't get the message when leadership turned down his request. IMO he's one skating on thin ice politically, but time will tell.

[Dog Gone]

What prevents her from staying on the Armed Services committee and dropping the Energy and Commerce seat?

NOTHING. That's why the headline is wrong.

And how common is it for someone to serve on two major committees? If it's common, there should be no rule. If it's uncommon, why was she getting special treatment that others don't?

[Torie]

It is stupid because Wilson represents a merginal seat (it went for Kerry), and she needs all the help she can get. Barton retaliating over Wilson's interest as to what the perscription drug bill cost is not a pretty sight.

[Torie]

FYI.

[Dog Gone]

I don't see how this hurts her at home. If we ran a poll here at this forum as to what committees our representatives are on, I'd guess less than 1% would know without doing research first.

I don't. Whether Wilson retains her seat in 2006 isn't going to hinge on what committees she's on.