It is amazing how often congressmen and congresswomen describe themselves as one way back home and while campaigning, and then vote a different way in Congress. In regards to Washington State’s congressional delegation, there were two amendments voted on by the House of Representatives on July 20, 2005 that are very illuminating.

The first was an Amendment proposed by Dana Rohrabacher of California (H.AMDT.487) "to express the sense of Congress that the capture, detention and interrogation of international terrorists are essential to the successful prosecution of the Global War on Terrorism and to the defense of the U.S., its citizens, and coalition partners from future terrorist attacks; and that the detention and lawful, humane interrogation by the U.S. of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is essential to the defense of the U.S. and its coalition partners and to the successful prosecution of the Global War on Terrorism."

The following Washington Congressmen and Congresswoman voted "Aye"

Dicks (D)
Baird (D)
Larsen (D)
Smith (D)
Reichert (R)
Hastings (R)
McMorris (R)

The following Washington Congressmen and Congresswoman voted "Nay"

McDermott (D)
Inslee (D)

The second Amendment was proposed by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida (H.AMDT.488) "to restate and affirm that it is the policy of the U.S. to pursue a transfer of responsibility for Iraqi forces only when they are ready to assume such responsibility and not to withdraw prematurely the U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq. Requires any withdrawal to be done only with careful coordination with a decision by the elected government of Iraq which shall be reached jointly when it is clear that the aim of the establishment of a free and stable Iraq that is at peace and not a threat to its neighbors has been or is about to be achieved."

The following Washington Congressmen and Congresswoman voted "Aye"

Dicks (D)
Baird (D)
Reichert (R)
Hastings (R)
McMorris (R)

The following Washington Congressmen and Congresswoman voted "Nay"

McDermott (D)
Inslee (D)
Larsen (D)
Smith (D)

Read the language of the amendments carefully.

The first amendment simply says it is a good thing to capture international terrorists and interrogate them humanely at our detention center at Guantanamo Bay. You could vote for this amendment and still oppose sending allegedly innocent people to Guantanamo. You could vote for this amendment and still oppose alleged inhumane treatment at Guantanamo.

So when "Baghdad" Jim McDermott and "Carpetbag" Jay Inslee voted "nay" they let us all know they don't want terrorists rounded up. They welcome the attack on civilization – "burn baby burn." I expect as much from an extreme leftist like McDermott but am amazed that Congressman Inslee has shown his allegiance to the socialist left so openly.

The second amendment says nothing more than that the United States will not cut and run from Iraq. It does not say the military action in Iraq was good. It does not say the military action in Iraq is part of the War on Terror. It does not try to justify the military action in Iraq in any way. It simply says we will not abandon the Iraqis to the chaos and the jihadist terrorists.

McDermott, Inslee, Smith and Baird are saying that they want us to cut and run. They aren't concerned that Iraq is turning into a quagmire – they want it to be a quagmire. In short they want America to lose. McDermott and Inslee have already shown they are members of the radical left, regrettably Congressmen Smith and Baird join them in their yearning for America’s defeat. Shame on them all.

Remember these votes when you hear anyone try to describe Smith, Baird, and especially Inslee, as a "moderate." McDermott at least does not hide that he is a radical leftist. The other three are out in the open now. Remember that two-thirds of the Democrats in Washington State's delegation in the House of Representatives have voted for defeat and surrender.

Finally, kudos to Norm Dicks and Brian Baird, who know when to do the right thing.

Hat tip to Cool Blue.
- posted by Thomas @ 1:10 PM