Posted on 11/23/2005 8:53:13 AM PST by MikeA
CINCINNATI (Nov. 23) - Ohio Republican Jean Schmidt said Tuesday she should have rephrased her sharp critique of a fellow congressman's call to immediately pull troops from Iraq.
Schmidt was booed off the floor of the U.S. House on Friday after she criticized Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., saying that "cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
When Schmidt made the comment, Democrats rose in protest at the suggestion that Murtha, a decorated Vietnam veteran and the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, was a coward.
Schmidt said the comment was prompted by a conversation she had with state Rep. Danny Bubp, though he denies discussing Murtha with Schmidt.
Schmidt, who sent Murtha a note of apology on Friday moments after her speech, said in a statement Tuesday that she never intended to attack Murtha personally.
"While I strongly disagree with his policy, neither Representative Bubp nor I ever wished to attack Congressman Murtha," she said. "I only take exception to his policy position."
Bubp said in a statement of his own Tuesday that his conversation with Schmidt "was based strictly on the proposal to immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq and the consequences of such a proposal."
"This is not a war of words, this is a war." -John Murtha, D-Pa.
Schmidt declined during an interview on Cincinnati radio station WLW to discuss her fellow Republican's denial: "I was repeating words. I am not going to get into that debate."
Neither Schmidt nor Bubp returned calls left at their offices Tuesday.
Murtha has called Schmidt's comment ridiculous.
"You can't spin this. You've got to have a real solution," Murtha said Monday when asked about her remarks at a news conference in Pennsylvania. "This is not a war of words, this is a war."
Other Republicans also criticized Murtha for calling for the withdrawal of troops. President Bush and other administration officials have since said that while they don't agree with Murtha, they do not question his patriotism.
11-23-05 03:23 EST
And here is a quote of Teddy Roosevelt
"Thrice happy is the nation that has a glorious history. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
"The Strenuous Life"
Just becuase white flag Murtha was a marine, doesen't mean he should automatically be given an honest ear on foreign policy decisions. My grandfather was a WWII vet who fought in some of the bloodiest battles in the S. Pacific, but by the time he was in in his mid 70s i wouldnt let him operate the remote control to the tv. This rep told it like it was and i have lost all faith in the republican party. What a bunch of spineless twits.
I apologize that some Democrats are cowards.
He did step forward and cut poor Jean's legs out from under her. Very discouraging.
In this way, they would have entered the history books. Now.. its just another chance to bash a Republican.
See tagline.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051122/NEWS01/511220352
Fine and dandy, except she wasn't "quoting" a constituent.
Very well stated; GOP politicians need to be as candid and forthright as you are, and get rid of this groveling PC nonsense once and for all. THEY are the ones who are spinning lies, emboldening terrorists and threatening morale here and among our fighting forces; let the 'RATS and their Marxist wacko followers apologize!!!
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