Not bad if anybody does it, and I certainly wouldn’t look askance at any politician doing so. I wouldn’t pit Hillary Clinton for visiting Iraq, for example.
To suggest that it is done for political reasons, though, really stinks. And to admit as much is even worse.
You prefer a steady diet of lies? That explains a lot.
When is it NOT done for political reasons? And you honestly think it’s better to lie about their motives?
Jesus.
But since you claim the letter is public knowledge, why should anyone lie about it after the fact? What exactly are you objecting to-- that politicians do things for political reasons? That the aid didn’t try and spin the content of the letter* in such a way that he looked like a lying sack of shit? What should he have said, in your opinion?
*said letter which I have not seen and you have not linked to, btw. So I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt that it exists-- maybe I shouldn’t.
You tell me. I just looked up, for grins, Senators Santorum and Durbin to see if they had visited VA hospitals. Both had, which is hardly surprising. It is the sort of thing politicians do.
Now, if you were at a VA hospital and saw a senator, would you confront them and accuse them of being there for political reasons only?
And if you don’t, aren’t you buying into the polite fiction as well?
If it was Santorum I would; Durbin, not so much. For political reasons.
The Moonie Paper is kind enough to quote some excerpts from the memo, none of which I find particularly damning:
After five years of The King of Backdrops in the White House (turning the power on in New Orleans just long enough for a speech, anyone?), I’m shocked, shocked to hear that a Dem might think about making good use of what’s actually there to ensure a good photo op while visiting a military base.
How dare they.
Ditto.
Ditto.
AFAICT, anything remotely upsetting about the memo is in what the Moonie paper described, rather than quoted. Might that suggest they’re spinning this memo a bit? If they can’t actually quote the most heinous stuff, maybe it doesn’t really exist.
And then there’s this:
Sure. He’s never bashed his political opponents while giving a speech at a military base. :rolleyes:
You mean, a Moto-brand allegation about a Democrat falls flat on its ass, wanting for merit, veracity or legitimacy? Holy shit! Now I’ve seen everything.
[shrug] So let them say the same thing. “We do this for political reasons and any pol who says different is a goddamn fucking liar,” or television-appropriate words to that effect. The people appreciate honesty.
I think he’s played a weak hand as well as anyone could during his time in as senate leader. I rather like him.
Plus his “old man” persona kinda works. Occasionally on NPR they’ll play a clip of him giving the official Dem position on some senate vote or another, then they’ll play a clip of Frist saying how wacko and unhinged the that postion is. But the thing is, Reid’s laid back, grandfatherly manner sounds the opposite of wacko, IMHO. Certainly he’s a far better face for the Dems then Pelosi or Kerry.
As to the OP, let me add my voice the deafining “meh” given by most of the rest of the posters.
If it hasn’t been raised already, I nominate Mr. Moto as the Pit’s new Reeder.
It’s too late. Mr.Moto has announced that he is stepping away from the table. I’m afraid my little comment might have been one of the final straws.