Did You Hear The One About The Republican Senator Who Said The Iraq War "May Even Be Criminal"?

[JABBS]

Click here to read the whole story.

The highlights:

-- Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) said the Iraq War "may even be criminal," in a speech on the Senate floor Thursday.

-- The next day, a spokesman tried to backtrack from the "criminal" comment.

<snip>

It should also be noted that Smith is up for re-election in 2008.

So should we believe Smith, or is better-late-than-never sentiment a recognition that voters made a clear statement in the mid-term elections about Iraq, and might do so again in 2008?

Here's a thought: Actions speak louder than words. Smith, if his speech Thursday truly reflect his thoughts on Iraq, should take the next logical step. He should introduce, or be a co-author, of legislation setting forth a clear redeployment plan for our troops.

[GenDem]

1. He was on MTP this morning

I saw a clip of his speech on the floor - - he was close to tears and didn't retract his "criminal" statement this morning on MTP.

[eleny]

2. good for him - and us

when one of ours says this, it's considered criminal. so, really, it's like nixon going to china. only one of them can do/say it.

in this case, i'm warmed over the better late than never aspect. and if he saw the light because of the election, so be it. so long as it's now a true epiphany. we'll see how he votes.

thanks for the details about his mtp appearance. i only tuned in for the last half hour and missed it.

[GenDem]

3. I'm sorry, wrong show - it was "This Week",

and he was on with Joe Biden.

[JABBS]

4. thanks for the update

i wasn't aware of that. I have updated the original linked article, with a link to the ABC News clip featuring Smith speaking to Stephanopoulos.

[eleny]

6. Good job! I'm watching it now...

:thumbsup:

[eleny]

5. We didn't get that here this morning

We got an NFL show or some other local interest programming. So, thanks a bunch. Appreciate the info for sure!

[Rageneau]

7. Took him four years to see what most here foresaw. That makes him laudable?

[BlueIris]

8. I loathe Gordon Smith.

Don't feel the least bit sorry for him.

[gratuitous]

9. Taking a page from Arlen Specter

The Arlen Specter School of Political Grandstanding has another graduate, and it's Gordon Smith of Oregon, who gets his degree cum laude. He might have gotten magna or even summa, but his opining that the Bush administration "may even be criminal" was too over the top. Smith will soon be seen by a lot of people as an independent voice, a straight shooter, a maverick, and all the other encomiums so generously applied by the Beltway Elites.

But Smith is all talk, no action. He is quite adept at saying things that play well with his constituency in Oregon, but his voting record is a very different matter. His words will be generally acknowledged as "bold," as if he actually said something provocative or original, but his actions will continue to cleave to the most conservative line on issue after issue. Oh, there will be the occasional foray over to a more progressive position, but quick like a bunny, he'll be back in the conservative hutch when it comes time to actually enact things like universal health care, a raise in the minimum wage, reducing the American presence in Iraq, or any of a hundred other things.

Don't be fooled; Oregon has been by this charlatan too many times. If the state Democratic party can finally come up with a strong candidate, Mr. Smith might just get the political retirement he deserves.