James Webb, has been reviled for not being nice to the President. Turns out according to Wonkette, that Senator Webb is no the only person who has gotten into a dust up with the man:
Bush is still having the worst luck at seemingly friendly functions with Democratic lawmakers. It all started with Jim Webb, then there was Steve Kagen, and now the nerd in charge of congressional treehugging. This time, though, Bush was the one seemingly on the brink of starting a brawl. And all this during the signing ceremony for a bill about fish conservation. So when House Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) went to shake Bush’s hand, he thought he’d try to lighten the mood up a bit. “I’d rather be talking about fish surges instead of troop surges,” Rahall joked to Bush, according to Rahall’s office.
Bush looked Rahall in the eye and said, dead serious: “I’d rather be talking about victory.”
From Wonkette:” We don’t know if Rahall managed to keep a straight face, but no reports indicate that he said “what the fuck is wrong with you,” which would’ve been our response, so we commend him for his restraint. ”
What to me is interesting, is that one of Webb’s first’s acts in office was to propose legislation of real benefit to the Soldiers serving in this war. Webb who has been pilloried for calling Bush out for his hypocrisy about caring for the Soldiers he has sent to war, has at least done something in Congress that George W. Bush could not do during 6 years in office, propose real change and improvement in veterans benefits-recognizing that this is a long term investment in America.
Since I was one of those folks caught in the “gap” , the infamous VEAP program which did not give me s**t in the way of educational benefits…having been accessed after expiration of the GI Bill, and not eligible to particpate in the Montgermery GI Bill due to my time in service when it was passed- I am very excited about this piece of legislation. I especially can’t wait to hear the good Dr. Chu come out in opposition to it, since for the last few years he has been the administration attack dog on improving benefits. I suspect he will have more than a few things to say in opposition, if his testimony on concurrent receipt and other improvements is any guide.
At least Webb is being true to his word. If that means he snubs the President……well that’s ok with me. Good for him!
