Webb Rips Graham As ‘Politician Trying To Put His Political Views Into The Mouths Of Soldiers’

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/15/webb-v-graham/

Webb Rips Graham As ‘Politician Trying To Put His Political Views Into The Mouths Of Soldiers’

This morning on Meet the Press, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) took Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to task for spouting “support the troops” rhetoric while failing to take action to safeguard the long-term health of the military.

This week, Graham was among a handful of right-wing Senators who prevented the passage of an amendment sponsored by Webb that would have required soldiers to be given more rest at home after being deployed overseas. During the vote, Graham disingenuously claimed that if Webb’s bill passed, it would be “the greatest politicization of military action in the history of the country.”

This morning, Webb fought back. “The traditional operational policy has been if you’re gone for a year, you get two years back. We’re now in a situation where the soldiers and the Marines are having less than a 1 to 1 ratio.” Webb said. Turning to Graham, he added, “And somebody needs to speak up for them rather than defending what this President has been doing.”

“May I speak!” Webb said, as Graham tried to interrupt him. “This is one thing I really take objection to,” he said, “is politicians who try to put their political views into the mouths of soldiers.” Watch it at link~

Webb’s amendment would have required the Bush administration to provide at least a year of rest for every year that a member of the Armed Forces was deployed overseas. The amendment provided three years of rest for National Guard soldiers. In the vote to end the filibuster, 56 bipartisan members supported Webb’s amendment, less than the 60 needed to end debate.

This morning, when Graham tried to claim that he’s a qualified voice to speak on behalf of all soldiers because he has been to Iraq, Webb countered, “You go and see the dog-and-pony shows.” Webb scolded Graham, “Don’t put political words into mouth.”

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

1. Hey-How About A Spoiler Warning!

Ah well, I knew that Jim Webb would kick the drawl right out of Graham's soggy puss!

:spank:

[rodeodance]

2. repugs know that providing longer rest periods between rotations would

severely hamper military operations.

they can no longer they are the party that supports the troops yet I have heard little of this since the vote last week.

[snappyturtle]

3. Webb was so-o good. Graham is a master at burning up

air time!At one point, Webb admonished Graham for repeating himself three times (in one long breath)!Webb also pointed out that only 35% of the military supports the war! Webb held his own.

[rodeodance]

4. Has Webb been to Iraq?---Lindsey kept asking him but I did not hear Webb

answer.

[spanone]

5. Webb said that Lindsey goes to the Iraq 'dog & pony' show

[pacalo]

18. Surrounded by bodyguards as he visits the market for a $2 rug.

And, of course, the soldiers he visits have been hand-picked & prepared for what to say, what not to say.

[GoldenOldie]

6. Lindsey lost it!

Lindsey could not logically debate Jim Webb so he fell-back into the con-mode of talking over and talking so fast so as to not let your opponent rebut. The aim seems to be, if they can't win the debate on an issue then do whatever it takes, to confuse the viewers, thus for them it stands at a no win, no loss. Seems strange for Lindsey, a former JAG Officer and attorney. What judge in the country would allow him to do this and why does moderator Timmy, himself an attorney, unable to control his show/courtroom?

[cui bono]

14. I don't think he wants to control it. n/t

[TheFarseer]

8. did he say he went as a corespondent?

and presumably had a genuine Iraq experience. I thought I heard him say that, but I didn't know that he had been to Iraq in that capacity. Can anyone help?

[w4rma]

12. Webb's son is in Iraq right now. He was nearly killed by an IED a few months ago. (nt)

[TacticalPeek]

15. He and his unit returned recently.

Last month, iirc.

But they'll go back, unfortunately. My son's return is coming up soon.

Idiot-in-chief is still in charge.

[Hand]

7. Webb has MASSIVE self-control...

I cannot imagine how he kept from bashing Graham right in his smug, lying, tight little mouth. Several times.

On another note, did Graham seem gayer than usual in this clip? :hide:

[babylonsister]

9. I'm with you on the self-control; Webb did seem to want to haul off

and belt lil Lindsay a few times. As for your other question...:shrug:

[scorpiogirl]

10. Graham is an clearly an asshole.

He wouldn't let Webb finish a sentence. Looked like he couldn't stand the thought of him getting to finish a thought. Bottom line is the republicans treat the troops like crap. There's nothing Graham could've said that would excuse that.

[AwakeAtLast]

11. K & R #5!

I am convinced more and more that we need to hear more of what Webb has to say!

:kick:

[TahitiNut]

13. The worst of it is pretending to speak for the DEAD soldiers ... necroconservatives.

The contorted 'logic' of sending more to die so that those already dead didn't "die in vain" is appalling. I doubt I ever knew a veteran who'd want his death to be followed by more deaths. Quite the opposite, in fact.

[VP505]

16. I have a feeling

that Mr Webb will be having a swift-boat experience soon, bet when the camera was off he had some choice words for "Goober" Graham, who IMO deserve every bit of the scorn Webb can hand him.

[pacalo]

17. Graham looks like a doink next to Webb.

He's afraid to let Webb speak because he knows he makes a lot of sense.

[Burried News]

19. Graham is long overdue for a smackdown.

Backstabbing lying bastard who infrequently tells the truth to set the audience up for his next bigger lie.

[proud patriot]

20. Is there video yet ?

I totally slept in

[babylonsister]

21. There should have been in the OP-don't know what happened. Try this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTiuYCZ9Xiw&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etalkingpointsmemo%2Ecom%2F

[proud patriot]

24. Thank You

:loveya: from a busy bee

[LibinMo]

22. Rerun tonight at midnight CDT on MSNBC

If you have cable or sat

[proud patriot]

25. I'll try to catch it at 11pm PST

Thanks

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

23. Video here, at least the last few minutes, C & L.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/15/jim-webb-rips-into-graham-for-putting-political-words-in-our-soldiers-mouths/

MKJ

[proud patriot]

26. Thanks

[spanone]

27. Webb was great

[Strelnikov_]

28. Wow. Did you catch Graham at the end, following this exchange

about military retention.

Graham: Bin Laden said that this is the third world war in Iraq. They go back because they know the consequences of losing. God bless em and lets make sure they can win because they can.

Webb: I'll let them judge what you said.

Graham: Yea

He knows the hollowness of the GOP position, that the big lie will eventually fall apart, and his face showed it after Webb jabbed him with his closing comment.