I nominate Sen. Carl Levin to the top 10 conservative idiots list!

[BillZBubb]

A Democrat stupid enough to do the BushCo dirty work in attacking Galloway has to make that list. His questioning of Galloway was an embarrassment to real Democrats everywhere.

Just why are the Democrats participating in this charade? Why didn't Levin toss Galloway a few "Gannonesque" questions that he could use to blast Busholini and the neo-fascists?

Carl Levin, top 10 conservative idiot.

[neuvocat]

1. I second that.

[Ariana Celeste]

2. Agreed.

[Chipper Chat]

3. Levin was just doing his job - like Gore in the Senate after he lost.

I'm sure being a part of this charade was painful, but I think Carl was absolutely giddy inside watching Galloway eat Coleman for lunch.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. I hope you're right

because Levin has never so disappointed me before.

[barb162]

19. I am thinking maybe Levin and many others will be playing

the administration's side and eating Bush crap because of the base closings. Nobody (almost) wants bases closed in their states and will do almost anything to please Bush in return for no bases closed.

[BillZBubb]

5. Doing his job? What a crock. That's bullshit and you know it.

Levin was being a stalking horse for the right wing. Maybe he's dumb enough to think otherwise, I don't know.

Gore's situation was different. He elected (wrongly I believe) to accept the Extreme Court's appointment of Busholini. He did it in an effort to avoid strife. It was a noble act, that really accomplished nothing. Even so, unless a Senator supported the House Democrats, there was nothing Gore could do anyway. His hands were tied.

Levin had no such restriction. He is free, as a committee member to ask whatever he wants. He should not be part of any charade. That's a big problem with our elected Democrats. They apparently prefer charades to being an actual opposition party.

Levin is a top ten conservative idiot (or at least stooge) this week.

[Chipper Chat]

9. It's a tough call.

I was playing psychoanalyst as I watched his rather mechanical performance, and decided that this was a "give one" to the Pugs. Carl was indeed playing "stooge" while being aware that Coleman will self-destruct. And wouldn't you know, sweetie Norm publicly declared after the hearing that Galloway lacks credibility. Wow - a backed-into-the-corner rat.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

12. Yeah, he's a total wingnut.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Carl_Levin.htm

:eyes:

[dogday]

32. I agree, there is a difference between doing your job and being

abusive. He was abusive with Galloway about that memo and slammed him on CNN, just doing his job right?

[Roland99]

6. That's what I was thinking.

I'm tellin' ya. I wish we had debate like we see in British parliament.

[gordianot]

11. Good analogy.

But this is why Democrats lose. What do you think Cheney would have done if he were in Gore's shoes in 2000?

I'm sure Mr. Galloway has plenty of faults, but at least he says what he thinks and is able to construct a coherent sentence in presenting his rhetoric. Levin should have commented or thanked Mr. Galloway after the hearing with cameras in his face.

[cestpaspossible]

7. I haven't been able to find a transcript

that includes Levin's question(s)... can anyone help?

[moddemny]

8. I am looking for a transcript myself........

I didn't here everything Levin said and I didn't know much about galloway or his problems before to see how much questioning is justified. I hope this isnt just another example of DU'ers eating people who are usually on their side (like Bill Maher). I will reserve judgement until I get more facts.

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. It's been driving me crazy all morning.

I have tried desperately to be able to access the 47 minute video and finally gave up in favor of looking for a transcript. Nada!

[Ganja Ninja]

10. Levin's display yesterday was just another let down.

The Democrats don't know how to take advantage of a situation. It happens all too often. They have a chance to go for the jugular and they screw it up every time.

[Jack Rabbit]

13. A mild dissent

Galloway looks all the better because Levin asked him some tough questions. Galloway acquitted himself nicely.

The case against Galloway is flimsy, to say the least. It rests on whether a major contributor to Galloway's Miriam charity profited in the oil-for-food scandal and, if so, whether Galloway knew it. Even then, it doesn't seem like much of a big deal. After all, the US government knew of the scandal and winked and nodded. Are we going to say it was alright for US oil companies to profit from the scandal but that there was something wrong with Galloway's charity receiving money made from those profits?

Galloway got the best of them yesterday. The senators should lick their wounds and let the matter drop.

[5thGenDemocrat]

14. Carl Levin is neither a conservative nor an idiot

I, too, don't quite understand his behavior yesterday, but he's a fine liberal senator with a long, distinguished record of voting for progressive causes and I'll be happy to vote for him again any time and for any post he chooses to run for.
Instead of getting your knickers in a twist about a single episode in Levin's 24 years in the Senate, why don't you see what you can do about DXing the boobs you Texans seem to love sending to Washington. Both your senators, Cornyn and Hutchinson, are far bigger embarrassments than Carl Levin could possibly be on his worst day.
We here in blue Michigan would sure appreciate it. And we're the only ones who finally get a say in whether or not Levin belongs in the Senate.
Top ten conservative idiot? With you coming from a state that sends Bush and Gramm and DeLay and the rest of those toilet-lickers to Washington, you should clean your own house first.
But, of course, you can't. More's the pity.
John
30 days, 23 hours, one minute, blah blah.

[BillZBubb]

21. Levin played the role of useful idiot for the conservatives.

His type of liberal is why the Democrats always get creamed these days.

Instead of holding the Repugs feet to the fire on the illegal invasion of Iraq, the British war memo, US oil company involvement with US knowledge, etc. Levin chose to attack Galloway and support the Reich Wing red herring that is unfolding. His personal attacks on Galloway's integrity without a shred of concrete evidence and his assinine question about returning campaign funds were beneath contempt.

Levin played right into the right wing hands. Now the Repugs will dominate the discussion by trashing the UN and evil foreigners rather than face the truth about their crimes. And it will be "bipartisan".

Carl Levin top ten "useful idiot conservative."

[5thGenDemocrat]

27. Well, okay --

I guess if anyone would know about "useful idiot conservatives," it would be the voters of Texas. You guys send 'em to Washington again and again and again and then re-elect 'em again and again and again.
Like TayTay notes below, Levin has an ADA rating of 91. Texas senators wouldn't score that high if you accumulated their votes since 1971 or so.
Maybe the reason liberals get creamed like we do is because we can't wait to turn on one another for any failing, real or imagined. You can piss and moan all you want about Levin but, meanwhile, Texas Democrats are unable to keep Republidorks like Cornyn and Hutchinson from being the Texas faces in the Senate.
I don't think Texas even knows what a liberal looks like any more. But Michigan still does and has sent Carl back to Washington since 1980. And I'll be happy to send him (and Debbie Stabenow) right back to Washington in spite of your opinion. Maybe (maybe) Levin had a bad day yesterday, but he's been behind more progressive legislation in his career than any Texas senator has since the Stone Age.
Was Levin's behavior yesterday a sty in Michigan's eye? Maybe -- I don't know (and, frankly, don't care). But Texas has two logs in hers and, rather than do anything about that, you'd rather throw stones.
So go ahead and get all whiny and self-righteous about a fine liberal icon like Levin. It's a lot easier than doing anything to get your own house in order.
John
Thanking God Texas doesn't have a say in who Michigan sends to the Senate.
ON EDIT: And before you think I'm bashing Texas per se, I would suggest you take a close look at my avatar. That's what a Texas liberal looked like. With all his many flaws, may he rest in peace.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

31. Thank you!

I said it better (and nicer) than I would have.

[5thGenDemocrat]

33. No, thank YOU, A2Dem

Hope to see you at FUNDAY.
John
Which is now 30 days, 20 hours and nine minutes away. DUmail me for more info -- or head over to the Michigan forum.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

34. I've been checking out the Funday info at the Mich. forum...

I'm hoping to be there with a couple of other DUers from A2. It will be a blast!!

[eridani]

36. Correct--

--I suspect this is just a case of Israel uber alles, like with Lieberman

[sendero]

43. Maybe...

... I really don't know this guy that well, I just don't understand why Dems always have to participate in this bullshit.

[TayTay]

15. Levin is no conservative

Levin D 91

That's his lifetime ADA rating. He has both 'talked the talk' and 'walked the walk.'

His role yesterday was to question the witness closely and find out if he was involved in that Oil-For-Food scandal. By doing his job and pressing the witness he gives credibility to the witness and to the Democrats. Tossing softballs to Galloway does nothing but give ammunition to the Rethugs to say that Dems are in favor or in cohoots with the corrupted in the scandal.

Besides, Galloway was completely able to defend himself and explain his actions. He needs no babby-help from Levin. Levin did his job. He examined the witness and asked questions that actually delved into the topic at hand. Galloway handled them. Anything kid glove treament would have backfired right into Rethug hands. As it is now, Coleman looks even worse because of the questioning of Levin. Coleman is the one who looks partisan, weak and un-prepared.

[JNelson6563]

23. Not to mention various votes that he made

a nice statement with. Tried to amend the IWR (even some Dems voted against it) and voted NO on it. Also voted no on the Homeland inSecurity Act. But of course all these purists were blind with devotion for Kerry who was fabulous in his role as Bush enabler during the first 4 yrs. of the simian's reign.

I never saw such need for gift certificates to the clue store as DU sometimes....

Julie

[TayTay]

25. LOL!

Well, at least we agree on Levin.

I compleely disagree on Kerry. But, that still doesn't make Levin any less a great Dem with a great voting record. I would contend the same for Kerry.

[WildEyedLiberal]

28. What on earth does Kerry have to do with anything

You undermine all your credibility with such off-topic bullshit garbage like that. Whatever, I don't know why I'd expect anything different from you.

[JNelson6563]

29. It was to highlight the hypocrisy

One day DU is over-run with purists, the next everyone's busy justifying supporting illegal wars etc. Today, apparently, we are in purist mode.

Not surprised the point was lost on you. (Actually I don't know who the hell you are, just thought I'd throw that in for fun.)

Julie

[WildEyedLiberal]

30. Bullshit

Anyone who calls Kerry a "Bush-enabler" is the epitome of false purity. Hey, didn't you hear that Dean is asking Democrats to ignore childish, petty primary-like attacks on each other? That he wants us to focus on fighting Republicans instead of smearing other Dems? Why don't you listen to him for once?

[JNelson6563]

40. Yeah, ok

Anyone who calls Kerry a "Bush-enabler" is the epitome of false purity.

This is almost coherent and rational. I can't even guess what you mean here.

Hey, didn't you hear that Dean is asking Democrats to ignore childish, petty primary-like attacks on each other?

Gee, sore spot? Are you taking umbrage with those criticizing Levin? Levin stood firm time and again during chimpy's first term where some who would lead us failed us repeatedly. If you like you can put any number of other names in the place where I had "Kerry" in my original post. Several fit nicely and if it makes you feel better...

That he wants us to focus on fighting Republicans instead of smearing other Dems? Why don't you listen to him for once?

Gee I was highlighting the hypocrisy of smearing Levin, a long-time good fighter in the Dem cause. You musta missed that point. And what's with Why don't you listen to him for once?? Do I know you?? Can't say I've ever noticed you before yet you seem pretty bent on personalizing this exchange.

Julie

[RuleofLaw]

16. What I don't get

is the questions.

What the heel was going on. All Coleman could do was ask about if he had met Saddam Hussein, like that proves anything. And Levin just wanted him to say that if his partner had received money from Saddam, that would be bad too.

WTF. Is that all they got? They did not have anything at all. What I did find interesting was that Levin said he voted against the war, but then proceeded to trash a fellow anti-war fighter.

Why the hell did Levin allow the committee to get sidetracked to these alleged Petty people instead of going after the big guns like the US firms?

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. I haven't seen it, but

is it possible he could have been asking attacking questions to enable Galloway to have even more of a say? To make Galloway look good?

<I'm going crazy trying to get a download to work or find a transcript so I'm flying blind here.>

[LightningFlash]

20. It all is just some huge distraction again.

The senators need to be investigating themselves.

Meanwhile, the Downing Street Memo needs to be pressed folded and thrown into the public air again and again and again.

http://www.downingstreetmemo.com

And sent to Newsweek, Times, etc. make the stories light with fire.

[FrenchieCat]

22. I agree, and second that nomination....

here's the thread I started while listening to Senator Levin on CNN, after the hearings. He also appeared on other Cable pundit pap shows...and he basically repeated himself in undermining Galloway's testimony by continuing to call him guilty in the Oil for Food scandal.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1789375

[dogday]

24. Levin needs a good swift kick in the ass....

Why would he support the Administration and their obvious politics with the UN. Sure he is a Democrat?

[Tinoire]

26. I agree but SADLY he's not the worst of the Dems

He was never on my list of good guys to begin with but he had a wee bit of breathing room before crossing over to my *&%% bad list. Yesterday was the nail in his coffin.

[Kickin_Donkey]

35. It's the Circular Firing Squad gene ...

that Democratic senators have.

[ObaMania]

37. Excellent Choice!

.. In fact, there should be a Conservative Dem of the week (or at least an honorable mention) in the weekly TTCI piece!

[ScreamingMeemie]

39. A man who consistently votes Democratic values should be nominated?

Come on. Did you vote for Kerry? Levin's voting record is far better than Kerry's. I'll vote him in again. The day we do stupid stuff like what's been suggested here is the day we can shut the door on attempting any real change.

[ScreamingMeemie]

38. I am so sick of this. Carl Levin is a fine Democrat doing his job. We must

listen on and on about how wonderful Senator Clinton, Senator Kerry etal are...and here is a man who voted our collective conscience on the IWR, and you're going to string him up? You deserve what you get next time around. Carl Levin has my support because he has supported me on the big issues and consistently voted Dem values.

[BillZBubb]

45. Levin, overall has done a pretty good job. BUT...

in this instance he is being a (witting or unwitting) tool of the radical right. For that reason he should be a top 10 conservative idiot THIS WEEK.

I'm not saying we dump him or go after him after this. But he does need to understand that he was a fool to go after Galloway for the Repugs.

[Vladimir]

41. He didn't toss Galloway softballs because that is not his job

Maybe I am going crazy here, but its not Carl Levin's job to help Galloway out. Gorgeous was doing quite well for himself, and it would just have been embarrasing if after brutalizing Coleman he had some love-in with Levin. Anyhow, the really telling thing about Levin's questioning which everyone seems to be ignoring is that he focused on Galloway's ethics, not whether he profited directly from Saddam. And that to me, along with the fact that there is not one single mention of Galloway in Levin's minority report, spoke volumes as to what Carl Levin thinks of all this. You know, I can't believe that I am getting on a soapbox to defend Levin, or any US politicians, but if you believe in the principle of investigative comittees then you can't possibly demand that their members ask easy questions, whoever they are questioning.

[etherealtruth]

42. Touche

[BillZBubb]

44. "if you believe in the principle of investigative comittees"

I don't believe in the principle of committees investigating bullshit while using that as a smoke-screen to hide really serious evils.

Levin played right into the wingnuts hands on this. The right is going after the UN and other foreign opponents and using this charade as the instrument. No Democrat should support that in any way. Levin's questions to Galloway were assinine. He could have asked questions related to the facts of the "case" in such a way as to show the Repugs real intentions.

Instead, Levin was a tool of the Repugs. It was a sad spectacle.