On the Friday edition of "The Situation Room," CNN political analyst Donna Brazile slammed 2008 presidential candidate John McCain as "cowardly" for his decision to skip the Senate’s non-binding vote on President Bush’s troop surge plan in Iraq. Brazile, who discussed the issue with host Wolf Blitzer and conservative commentator William Bennett, described the Arizona Senator’s decision as "an insult." She then proceeded to label the Vietnam veteran, who spent five and a half years in the "Hanoi Hilton" prison camp, as "cowardly" for not returning to Washington on Saturday for the vote:
Donna Brazile: "I think it's an insult not to come and show up for a vote. This is a very important debate. And, for Senator McCain, who has been a staunch supporter of the President's plan, he should come and put up or shut up. But to -- to run away from the debate, and to say that this is meaningless is -- is -- is, in my judgment, cowardly."
Brazile
A transcript of the relevant transcript, which aired at 4:51pm on February 16, follows:
Wolf Blitzer: "Well, Bill, what do you think of Senator McCain's decision, apparently, unless he changes his mind overnight, not to come back and vote tomorrow on this procedural vote in the U.S. Senate? It looks like all the other senators who are campaigning for president will be back in Washington for that vote."
William Bennett: "Well, there are people who believe, like Senator McCain and like Rudy Giuliani said the other day, this is not what the Senate or the House is paid to do. The Senate and the House is paid to come up with actions, with plans, with resolutions, and to stand behind them with conviction, not to offer symbolic gestures which feed only the enemies of the United States."
Donna Brazile: "I think it's an insult not-"
Blitzer: "All right. Donna, go ahead.
Donna Brazile: "I think it's an insult not to come and show up for a vote. This is a very important debate. And, for Senator McCain, who has been a staunch supporter of the President's plan, he should come and put up or shut up. But to -- to run away from the debate, and to say that this is meaningless is -- is -- is, in my judgment, cowardly."
Blitzer: "All right."
Bennett: "John McCain knows the difference between the real and the symbolic."
Blitzer: " We will -- we will see what happens, see if he does show up tomorrow. Right now, apparently, he is planning on staying out on the campaign trail. Donna Brazile, Bill Bennett, thanks to both of you."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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"I think it's an insul
February 19, 2007 - 12:33 ET by dervish"I think it's an insult..."
Psst! Donna! I think maybe that was his point. I'll bet McCain ignores little yapping poodles, too.
It's a phoney vote so I see
February 19, 2007 - 12:45 ET by mlongIt's a phoney vote so I see no problem with McCain skipping it..now if the Dems want to put their money where there mouths are and vote on ending funding for the troops then we'll see where everyone stands and who will or won't vote.
Ah, Donna Brazile, That par
February 19, 2007 - 12:46 ET by 1sttofightAh, Donna Brazile, That paragon of intelligence. Has she ever ran a successful campaign?
I'm sure Brazile wouldn't wan
February 19, 2007 - 12:50 ET by Tim GrahamI'm sure Brazile wouldn't want to compare the military record of McCain with her old boss, Al Gore, whose daddy wouldn't let him get anywhere near a war zone with his journalist's notebook.
While the dems demand non-b
February 19, 2007 - 12:59 ET by Mica the MagnificentWhile the dems demand non-binding resolutions on Iraq, George W. is beginning the 'surge' and hopefully, without the 'rules of engagement.'
Keep talking about it, libs. As soon as you detect a victory in Iraq, I'm sure you'll get the cannolis to cut the funding with the blessings of the MSM.
Al Gore is proud to announce that his 2000 presidential victory was non-binding. . .A statement that would make sense to many, many Americans
The Senator was too busy in Iowa to go back & vote
February 19, 2007 - 13:04 ET by kch50428Sen. McCain was courting the Iowa faithful instead of voting...including some humor about drinking his daily glass of ethanol, needing to hide his apparent change of stand on that subject, because he needs those farmers to vote for him...
Donna Brazile
February 19, 2007 - 13:11 ET by pickerseniorThis woman embodies our precipitous slide towards disaster and a defeated third world country. She is a disgrace and in no way qualified to make a "cowardly" judgement towards McCain or anyone else. She is a narcissist, and sound asleep withour idea one.
How do we find people like this in positions where they can spread their loathsome vile?
Pickersenior
Didn't someone mention yest
February 19, 2007 - 13:19 ET by DyneDidn't someone mention yesterday that neither Queen Hillary and/or O(b/s)ama showed up for the vote either? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Both Showed...Both Voted Yes
February 19, 2007 - 13:31 ET by CGattonHillBilly was between campaign appearances and made the vote...YES
Obama was campaigning in SC and made the vote...YES
Both were close enough to do that...McCain was not.
R/
Clyde
"...the aspirants to tyranny are either the...men of the state, who in democracies are demagogues,... or those who hold great offices, and have a long tenure.." - Aristotle, Politics, c350BC
I do not endorse Brazile's
February 19, 2007 - 13:23 ET by zhombreI do not endorse Brazile's comments but I wish McCain and the other absent Senators had been present to vote. And I note Lieberman showed up to vote against the resolution. Of course, he's an Independent now and not a Democrat. Kudos to Lieberman and to Rep Sam Johnson of Texas for his remarks. I think showing up and speaking out matters.
Yeah, it kinda torques me t
February 19, 2007 - 13:27 ET by Eric TurnerYeah, it kinda torques me that my new senator - Bob Corker missed the vote.
I note that in the above ph
February 19, 2007 - 13:30 ET by Jack BauerI note that in the above photograph, the word RAT appears right next to the comely Ms. Brazille's...
(who in no way looks frackin' insane, by the way.)
...head.
Proof, once again, at how CNN is a tool being run soley for the purposes of supporting the hegemonic, running dog lackeys of Bush Co Hitler Inc.
What a joke - McCain has st
February 19, 2007 - 13:33 ET by Dee BunkWhat a joke - McCain has stated his position on the issue - He is for the surge - if anything he thinks it should be larger. It's not like he's running around with ambiguous statements like most of the Dems and then not voting to commit to their position. He has stated his position clearly and why should he waste his time on a stupid political vote? I'm assuming he knows it won't pass because if it passes and his vote could be a determining one than it would be wrong because it's disrespectful to the troops. If he knows his vote matters he should be there for the troops not the stupid Dems.
I thought McCain's action was right on target
February 19, 2007 - 13:38 ET by DaMavand Brazile's snark confirms it.
Nope, I'm not a McCain supporter for President by any means, but I think he has done quite well on this whole issue and I do indeed appreciate it. She picked up on the fact that McCain offered an insult to the Senate Dems on the resolution but seems to have completely missed the fact that it was an intended one.
As to courage, McCain is bucking the expectations of the cheese eating surrender monkeys in the MSM on the surrender resolution and is already paying a price. That is political courage. Every drop in his poll numbers is being waved around like a bloody victory flag by the media.
Beyond this specific issue,
February 19, 2007 - 13:49 ET by sarcasmoBeyond this specific issue, this is why senators (of any party) need to concentrate on being senators instead of also running for President, since it's unlikely they'll be able to do both jobs well. Recent history shows governors' jobs are different, since most governors' jobs can be autopiloted by the lieutenant-governor with minimal difficulty, but senators (again, of any party) have to be-there or this kind of critique naturally happens.
JMR
Good post, Sarc. Their job is
February 19, 2007 - 14:09 ET by Roger the ShrubberGood post, Sarc. Their job is to be in Washington for votes. Do your job, McCain.
I disagree with you guys -
February 19, 2007 - 14:17 ET by Dee BunkI disagree with you guys - our tax dollars are paying for these goofs to come from where ever they are and cast a stupid nonbinding political vote. It is a joke but unfortunately enough showed up so that it didn't pass
While I agree the vote is stu
February 19, 2007 - 14:23 ET by Roger the ShrubberWhile I agree the vote is stupid, McCain should have been there. He has lost alot of respect in my eyes this week, not having the testicular fortitude to take a stand one way or another on this issue, and his caving on global warming. He will not be the next president.
This is another reason why
February 19, 2007 - 14:12 ET by Eric TurnerThis is another reason why Martinez should never have been elected (appointed) to be GOP chairman.
Did you expect better from a
February 19, 2007 - 14:03 ET by dahliatraversDid you expect better from a "white boy", Donna?
"...he should come and
February 19, 2007 - 14:05 ET by Troika37"...he should come and put up or shut up. But to -- to run away from the debate, and to say that this is meaningless is ... cowardly."
First, how is this non-binding resolution NOT meaningless? What affect will this have on foreign policy or the continuation of the war in Iraq? Will our forces no longer be able to engage downrange targets? Will all our men and women who have the stones to wear a flag and grab a weapon be forced to come home due to lack of funding?
Secondly, now that the 'meaningless' part has been addressed, it is much more cowardly to say "We disagree with you, and think lives are being wasted. Don't worry though, we won't really ever do anything about it because then we'd be forced to answer for our votes in 2008." The Democrats refuse to take a position, and have been trying to hedge and play down the middle of the road since the first round went downrange. It's disgusting.
Side note, slightly OT: "They have everything they need. They have electricity, as they should. They
have warm water. They have all the things that you need and we provide
for our troops" Murtha in February 2007
Compared with: "We
have some that didn't have battle armor, which I discovered when I was
over in Iraq. Some families had to buy battle armor for the troops. Now
this greatest country in the world, is allowing our troops to go into
combat without battle armor, without humvees, without armored humvees,
without all these things they needed, with inadequate forces." Murtha in January, 2006
Which is it John???
I know this has been said
February 19, 2007 - 14:31 ET by kathleenirishI know this has been said many times but: How about a resolution against terrorism, al-Queda, or any of the sworn enemies of the United States of America and her people, you congressional whore-bags? Did that ever cross your empty minds? You disgust and sicken me. Power for yourselves is more important than supporting our troops in the field who provide you the security and freedom to be total asses and ignoramuses. Go to hell, traitors.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Right... and a non-binding
February 20, 2007 - 14:34 ET by steviep831Right... and a non-binding resolution that is completely meaningless isn't cowardly? If the Dims really are against the war then they should put up or shut up and defund the war... What a loon. McCain even said that the vote was meaningless... I think that answers why he didn't show up... Wow, another attempt by the MSM to get any old idiot to comment on something they know nothing about.