Just got done watching the fun on C-Span. Man, it was good to see some heated debate for a change. Almost thought I was watching the House of Commons there. Congressman Murtha came off very very well… talking about real issues…. people’s lives… things that matter.

I was surprised that the Republicans were going to try to turn Murtha’s call for withdrawl against the Democrats. It was a gutsy move. A gambit. Risky, but with the potential to do some real damage to the Democrats efforts to lead for a change on the war. I like that kind of play. Democrats want to benefit from how badly the administration is bungling the war, but do they have the guts to actually say anything? The only thing with gambit play is that you have to be on top of your game. Cue freshman Schmidt.

Give me the ball coach. I can do it. Just give me a chance.

Schmidt’s first attempt at playing offense had her instantly fumbling the ball. In under a minute the Republicans were in full retreat. No one was talking about the Republican’s brilliant move to force the Democrats to commit. Instead it was all about the Mean Jean that we know and love. D’ohh. In full damage control mode Schmidt got the broom and was replaced by Congressman/Veteran after Congressman/Veteran talking about how we couldn’t cut and run and had to stand behind the troops yadayadyada…. tired rhetoric, but it would have to do in a pinch until the big brains could forge some new talking points.

John Murtha cut through it all. He wasn’t talking Democrat and Republican… he was talking about working towards real bipartisan progress.

Those gravestones at Arlington don’t say Democrat or Republican, they say American.


I actually cried listening to him speak. I didn’t think a conservative Democrat could do that to me.

I cry every time I watch Bonanza.

If Congresswoman Schmidt’s lucky she’s been backbenched for a while. She started hard out of the gate for a new philly. In the end she was very fortunate that she pulled this now when there wasn’t an Actblue page where we could point people to to donate to her opponent. Six months from now her little tirade could have netted some Democrat a crisp quarter of a million. If she’s lucky she will soon be forgotten by the hungry but easily distracted wolves. Luckily, it would seem that the right are determined to turn Schmidt into the wingnut fighting chickenhawk poster child. Maybe they can convince her that it was a good speech and that she should do more like them. Will she be able to resist the siren’s song of MSNBC and Falafel News? We shall see…

These truly are interesting times.