Breaking: Republican Congressman Darrell Issa Currently In Syria For Talks

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/05/breaking-republican-congressman-darrell-issa-currently-in-syria-for-talks/

Breaking: Republican Congressman Darrell Issa Currently In Syria For Talks

The AP reports that Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) met with Syrian President Bashar Assad today in Damascus. And according to the article, Issa criticized the administration while on the visit:

Commenting on Bush’s criticism, California Republican Darrell Issa said the president had failed to promote the necessary dialogue to resolve disagreements between the U.S. and Syria.

“That’s an important message to realize: We have tensions, but we have two functioning embassies,” Issa told reporters after separate meetings with Assad and his foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem.

ThinkProgress contacted Issa’s press office for comment. A spokesman signaled Issa may defend the trip by claiming it was Pelosi — not him — who “broke the embargo” of meeting with Syrian officials.

UPDATE: More Issa criticism of the administration’s failed approach:

“President Bush, is the head of state, but he hasn’t encouraged dialogue. That’s an important message to realize: we have tensions, but we have two functioning embassies.”

[mzmolly]

1. Thank MAUDE that we engaging in diplomacy in spite of the idiot.

I am so encouraged.

[babylonsister]

2. He, or his office, does give props to Pelosi, so that's good. nt

[drm604]

4. What was said doesn't sound to me like giving props.

A spokesman signaled Issa may defend the trip by claiming it was Pelosi — not him — who “broke the embargo” of meeting with Syrian officials.

(My emphasis)

It sounds more like "Don't blame me, she did it first". Which doesn't sound like praise of Pelosi to me.

What it sounds like is an excuse that would be given by a grade-schooler for some kind of misbehavior.

[mzmolly]

7. I think that is a compliment?

Thank goodness Pelosi "broke the embargo!" :hi:

[drm604]

13. I'm not so sure.

I could be mistaken but that wording doesn't sound like a compliment to me. The words "defend the trip" sound like he feels that he needs to defend what he did.

[babylonsister]

8. I didn't take that as blame at all, rather progress. nt

[mzmolly]

5. That's great!

Imagine if we'd have had more Republican "oversight?" We'd probably have invaded both Iran and Syria by now?

[Doctor_J]

3. I wonder if the GOP hate machine will attack Congressman Car Thief

like they did Nancy. Holding my breath.

[WCGreen]

6. Nah.... He wasn't wearing a scarf...

[fooj]

9. Actually, it WASN'T Pelosi that broke the "embargo"...

Another BLATANT lie from Issa. I can't wait for the jackass to get what's coming to him re: the attorney purge. He's a vile rat bastard.

[babylonsister]

10. Who did? Certainly not Rice; I took his statement to mean she opened

the lines of communication...

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Kerry

[babylonsister]

12. (Smacks myself upside the head) How could I forget about him?

Absolutely; thanks!:hi:

[DFW]

14. Look for a revenge motive in this one

Besides the fact that Issa is of Arab origin himself (Lebanese, I think), he was
egged on by Cheney and Rove to start up the recall effort to oust Gov. Gray Davis (D)
of California after the Cheney/Enron-engineered false "energy crisis" in that state
a few years ago. Issa expected that, as a reward for doing the Bushies' bidding, that
HE was the one who would get their support to replace Davis. When they dropped him like
a hot potato the minute his work (getting the recall effort's necessary signatures)
was done, he must have been mega-pissed. Realizing he could lose his seat altogether if he
made his feelings known publicly, he swallowed it and shut up. Now that his tormentors
in the White House are on America's shitlist as well as the world's, he probably figured
it was time for some payback. And why the hell not?