Well THAT Could Have Gone Better

Despite an attempt to con the public and the Democrats into submission, this House vote on withdrawal is definitely being seen as an unequivocal stunt. The outrage over Jean Schmidt calling a decorated war veteran a coward on the House floor completely overshadowed the vote. Before long Republican Congressmen were falling all over themselves to distance their remarks from Schmidt's. "John Murtha is a true patriot," said Rick Renzi of Arizona. "John Murtha is a giant in this House," said another. Is that really the kind of soundbites they were looking for when this thing started?

They also had to acknowledge that the resolution they pushed to the floor was NOT Murtha's proposal for what to do next in Iraq. They REALLY didn't want that to get out. The whole point was to cut Murtha off from his party and squeeze out a roll call vote. The Democratic caucus saw right through it and their words resonated. This is not the kind of news story the House leadership wanted written:

The shots fired back and forth across the aisle in the House Friday night were vicious as it debated a Republican resolution its sponsors knew and wanted to fail.

"I regret that I do not possess the eloquence the vocabulary to express the magnitude of contempt for this shabby, political maneuver," said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland).

That proposal for the immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq was not what Democratic Congressman John Murtha (D-Pennsylvania) had in mind when the 37-year Marine veteran triggered a debate that prompted attacks like the one from the floor tonight.

"Cowards cut and run, Marines never do," said Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio).

Recessing amidst chaos, the House came back to debate the failed measure and defend Murtha.

"Expose the fakery when we see it!" shouted Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio).

That's a random local news channel, and that's what its viewers, not ideologues but casual viewers of local news, will be hearing tonight.

Good thing they didn't do this on a Wednesday or it would've been a real bust.

p.s. And, AND, there were several hours of actual debate on Iraq for the first time in months on the House floor. Democrats like the head of the Black Congressional Caucus and Ike Skelton of Missouri got to actually put forth their plans for next steps in Iraq, on the floor, in full view, with the eyes of the nation watching. Or at least more eyes than usual.