On the other hand, why would a Republican who had read the memo hand it to an opposition senator, given that it makes Republicans look so bad?
Possibly because it was widely distributed enough at that point that he didn't think of it as secret anymore?
What really annoyed me about this story is the baseline, hardly acknowledged assumption that of course Senator Harkin was lying when he said he was given the document by a Republican. When a Democrat accuses a Republican of lying, we're hate-filled maniacs. When a Republican accuses a Democrat of lying it's a completely neutral, really more probable than not, basis from which to figure out what really happened. I want Senator Harkin out there being indignant about the insult to his personal honor, and the loathsomeness of the partisan Republicans that unfairly impugned him.
The only thing I can think of was that Mel "I'm Not Really" Smartinez, thought he had been given something else: like a medical report or some shit, and thought that handing it over would maybe get Harkin over to the darkside.
Harkin was on the darkside already, wasn't he? I mean, possibly for principled reasons and all that, but I'm pretty sure that he was with the Republicans on the "Keep Terri breathing at all costs" bandwagon.
Well, that makes even more sense then, because yesterday on NPR I think I heard Not-so-smartinez say that he handed Harkin what he thought was the facts of the case or someshit.
Over the last week, I have been working hard, and in good faith with Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), and others to come up with legislation that would allow federal review of the Terri Schiavo case. Yesterday afternoon, we came up with bipartisan measure that did just that and many of my Senate Republican and Democratic colleagues deserve praise for their hard and swift work. (emphasis added)
Hmm. Suddenly it doesn't seem so weird any more, does it? The time for Mickey Kaus to STFU was long, long before this issue.
I like how Kaus says "P.P.S.: For a non-gloating alternative perspective, see Kevin Drum. ..." when what he means is "Kevin Drum is wearing my ribcage for a hat. Owitch!"
But it annoys me that when you click on a link on Kaus's column, the page opens in a new window. The reason I clicked on that link is that I want you to go away.
On the other hand, why would a Republican who had read the memo hand it to an opposition senator, given that it makes Republicans look so bad?
Possibly because it was widely distributed enough at that point that he didn't think of it as secret anymore?
What really annoyed me about this story is the baseline, hardly acknowledged assumption that of course Senator Harkin was lying when he said he was given the document by a Republican. When a Democrat accuses a Republican of lying, we're hate-filled maniacs. When a Republican accuses a Democrat of lying it's a completely neutral, really more probable than not, basis from which to figure out what really happened. I want Senator Harkin out there being indignant about the insult to his personal honor, and the loathsomeness of the partisan Republicans that unfairly impugned him.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 04- 8-05 6:34 AM
The only thing I can think of was that Mel "I'm Not Really" Smartinez, thought he had been given something else: like a medical report or some shit, and thought that handing it over would maybe get Harkin over to the darkside.
Posted by tweedledopey | Link to this comment | 04- 8-05 7:37 AM
Harkin was on the darkside already, wasn't he? I mean, possibly for principled reasons and all that, but I'm pretty sure that he was with the Republicans on the "Keep Terri breathing at all costs" bandwagon.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 04- 8-05 7:53 AM
Well, that makes even more sense then, because yesterday on NPR I think I heard Not-so-smartinez say that he handed Harkin what he thought was the facts of the case or someshit.
Posted by tweedledopey | Link to this comment | 04- 8-05 8:53 AM
LB, you remember correctly. From a March 18th press release on Senator Harkin's website:
Hmm. Suddenly it doesn't seem so weird any more, does it? The time for Mickey Kaus to STFU was long, long before this issue.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 04- 8-05 10:37 AM
I like how Kaus says "P.P.S.: For a non-gloating alternative perspective, see Kevin Drum. ..." when what he means is "Kevin Drum is wearing my ribcage for a hat. Owitch!"
But it annoys me that when you click on a link on Kaus's column, the page opens in a new window. The reason I clicked on that link is that I want you to go away.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 04- 8-05 7:31 PM