Rep. Mel Watt (D) apologizes for saying the dimson lied

[babylonsister]

Watt apologizes for comments on Bush
Remarks withdrawn; says he didn't mean to imply president is liar
LISA ZAGAROLI

It turns out that U.S. Rep. Mel Watt did cross the line with his critical remarks about President Bush.

As we reported earlier, the Charlotte Democrat was upset about the White House's refusal to allow former counsel Harriet Miers to testify before a panel of the House Judiciary Committee about the firing of U.S. attorneys. In a rant about Bush, Watt said that the president had "lied" to Congress and the American people about the reasons for going to war.

Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, lodged a complaint with the subcommittee chairwoman, but at the time of the hearing, the chairwoman ruled that Watt's words were harsh but not unparliamentary.

But a later review by the full committee's chairman, Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, concluded that Watt's comments were in fact unparliamentary. After the ruling, Watt withdrew his comments.

"Some people have interpreted what I said to be that I said that the president of the United States was a liar," Watt said at a hearing July 17. "I want to make it clear that that is not in the transcript.

"To the extent that people interpreted what I had to say as saying that the President is a liar, I want to make sure I apologize to the president for that because the president is a personal friend of mine. And I don't want anybody left with the impression that I think the president in general terms is a liar."

more...

http://www.charlotte.com/politics/story/216820.html

[bdamomma]

1. what for???

he was only telling the TRUTH.

[liberal N proud]

2. WHY do the Democrats keep backing down?

There has to be more to these stories.

[MonkeyFunk]

5. Because it's against the House Rules

to do that.

I know people here dislike civility, but it's still a valuable tool in politics.

[Benhurst]

13. And the Republicans do not follow the rules. Newt Gingrich rose

to power going on long and unfortunately effective rants against Speaker Foley, calling him a big, fat, corrupt slob.

Civility might be the the honorable course to follow; but it has hardly proven to be a valuable tool against ruthless right-wing opponents and their enabling lapdog corporate press over the past twenty years.

[tularetom]

14. So it's against House rules to call bush a liar

but somehow it's OK for the President of the Senate to tell a senator, on the senate floor, to go fuck himself? I haven't heard any apology yet from the dick. In fact according to the latest story I heard he seemed somewhat proud of it and why not? The entire News bidness treated it like a big joke.

Perhaps the senate should adopt the house rules.

[Benhurst]

18. The Senate does have similar rules. The Republicans just don't follow them,

any more than Newt Gingrich did as he rose to power in the House.

[blogslut]

23. Maybe it's time to change that rule

Why is it against the rules? Which rule? Why can't a congressperson speak the truth?

[MonkeyFunk]

30. The rules are there

because in a parliamentary body, civility helps keeps things moving smoothly.

These people should be smart enough to deliver a smackdown without name-calling.

[blogslut]

31. Claiming that someone is a liar

Is not name-calling. It's an accusation.

[MonkeyFunk]

34. It's considered name-calling

and it's against the rules in Congress, as well as here on DU.

There are a thousand ways to characterize a statement as untrue without calling the person a liar.

[G_Leo_Criley]

24. civility

I agree with you MonkeyFunk. Civility is valuable.

Just because the repubs aren't civil doesn't mean that we have to sink to their level in the congress.

glc

[madokie]

35. NSA. spying. blackmail.

[Tom Joad]

3. Tells the truth, takes it back, and apologizes. so Democratic of him.

Maybe he and cheney should go see the wizard together. Mel could get courage, Cheney a heart.

[Atman]

4. Why don't Republicans EVER have to apologize for what they call Democrats?

Because perhaps the Democrats really ARE pussies, just as they say. I understand the "unparliamentary" stuff. I also understand about taking a stand for what is right, what is obvious and what everyone else already knows.

Watt is just another capitulator. Bravo on the original statement...I saw it live. BOOOOOOO on the kow towing to the criminal LIARS.

.

[Rex]

8. Because evil people don't give a shit and it appears the Dems

are giving too much of a shit. Why? Maybe someone here will enlighten us.

[Rex]

6. Fucking sigh.

[Canuckistanian]

7. "a personal friend of mine"

He didn't have to add that. Who was he pandering to?

A statement like that is not going to endear Watt to the majority of people who distrust the pretzledent.

[rodeodance]

17. maybe he is a personal friend??--------(but having a bad hair day)

[bdamomma]

20. a personal friend of mine?

geez, don't these people see what a scumbag * is?

[aquart]

9. Parliamentary procedure.

"I don't want anybody left with the impression that I think the president in general terms is a liar."

Interesting phrasing.

Without parliamentary procedure, Congress would devolve into a shouting match and the only word you would hear would be "liar."

[Tom Joad]

10. ohh, and do note that Conyers is calling this obvious truth "unparliamentary"

because Watt hurt the His Majesty's feelings?
Conyers, you know better.

[BlooInBloo]

11. Wuss.

[Skip Intro]

12. sickening - the whole damn world knows he's a liar. n/t

[rodeodance]

16. yes, except 'officially" it is a secret

[Atman]

22. Exactly...no legal or official citing of Bush as a "liar" has been entered into record

Therefore, calling him one is tantamount to being a liar yourself, parliamentary-speaking. You basically are only allowed to cite accepted, provable facts in your name-calling. No one has yet proved legally that Bush "lied us into war."

And no one has yet PROVED that Barry Bonds used steroids, but hey...Bonds plays baseball, he's not a Congress critter.

.

[Beelzebud]

15. THIS is an example of why the Democrats SUCK....

Just like all the times Harry Reid has apologized, just like Dick Durbin apologizing...

[Always AskWhy]

25. Politicians all suck!!

'The president is a PERSONAL friend of mine'

Behind closed doors they are ALL friends, it's just politics don't ya know, nothing personal.

[Jack Rabbit]

19. I'm glad I'm not a member of Congress

I can state the obvious: Bush is a liar.

[Gman]

21. Everybody jumped all over Mean Jean for her comments about

Murtha. I guess it's the same thing.

[book_worm]

26. What is with these democrats! He did lie! it's a fact--stop apologizing

[spanone]

27. apoligize my ass, bu$h* lies are the very reason this nation is in Iraq

[Tom Joad]

28. Mel Watt, please apologize to the American people.

Say it loud, say it now, bush lies, bush lies, bush lies.
to pretend otherwise is a travesty of justice.

[Solly Mack]

29. snort

weak

[JTG of the PRB]

32. Come on, Mel! He IS a liar! A big, huge, monkey liar! n/t

[spanone]

33. They showed Mel the wiretaps and the photographs......

hey mel, if it wasn't in the transcript, as you say, shut the fuck up.