Today’s debate in the US House is the sort of thoughtful deliberation I like to see:
The fiery, emotional debate climaxed when Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, the most junior member of the House, told of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel.
“He asked me to send Congress a message: stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message: cowards cut and run, Marines never do,” Schmidt said.
Democrats booed and shouted her down, causing the House to come to a standstill.
I believe poor Mr. Murtha is sincere but misguided, and because of that, doesn’t deserve being called a coward; Ms. Schmidt should dial her rhetoric down a notch.
The Republicans aced the Democrats on this one. Murtha’s resolution was basically an immediate troop withdrawal with all sorts of loopholes and caveats that would have provided too much cover to members trying to have it both ways. It’s right that the troops in Iraq should know that their mission is, and how its success will be measured.