Chief
12-19-2007, 07:20 PM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/344103_joel19.html?source=rss
By JOEL CONNELLY
P-I COLUMNIST
WELL-HEELED local liberals ought to perform two public services in 2008: The first is allowing Seattle to put a doer in Congress; the second is to give Congressman-for-life Jim McDermott a new life.
The formula will be familiar to those who have greased graceful exits for past-their-prime college presidents, Episcopal bishops gone dotty, or married executives of nonprofits found engaged in office affairs.
A possible arrangement: McDermott's legal bills are paid off. Something gets named after him. And a new posting, possibly meaningful, allows the globetrotting congressman to pursue his interests in HIV/AIDS and South Asia.
Discretion is vital. McDermott's "amen corner" will entertain no criticism of our quixotic man of principle in Congress. And Seattle needs re-education on potential benefits of having an effective liberal doing its business in Washington, D.C.
McDermott is a voice. At times, it is courageous. Often it irritates. The voice is usually oblivious to words that will change minds or win allies.
He is currently in a bad patch even with Democrats in control of Congress.
The congressman-for-life will find himself owing as much as $800,000 in legal fees from his nine-year battle with Republican Rep. John Boehner.
**SCHNIPP**
The Pugetopolis Liberals are more than a little impatient with Baghdad Jim; but if he's that bad, why the hell do they reelect him?? It's been no secret about who and what he is, and he stands for election every 2 years like every other House member...
Why pay his legal bills and name a schools for him??? Just get someone elctable to run against him...
::)
By JOEL CONNELLY
P-I COLUMNIST
WELL-HEELED local liberals ought to perform two public services in 2008: The first is allowing Seattle to put a doer in Congress; the second is to give Congressman-for-life Jim McDermott a new life.
The formula will be familiar to those who have greased graceful exits for past-their-prime college presidents, Episcopal bishops gone dotty, or married executives of nonprofits found engaged in office affairs.
A possible arrangement: McDermott's legal bills are paid off. Something gets named after him. And a new posting, possibly meaningful, allows the globetrotting congressman to pursue his interests in HIV/AIDS and South Asia.
Discretion is vital. McDermott's "amen corner" will entertain no criticism of our quixotic man of principle in Congress. And Seattle needs re-education on potential benefits of having an effective liberal doing its business in Washington, D.C.
McDermott is a voice. At times, it is courageous. Often it irritates. The voice is usually oblivious to words that will change minds or win allies.
He is currently in a bad patch even with Democrats in control of Congress.
The congressman-for-life will find himself owing as much as $800,000 in legal fees from his nine-year battle with Republican Rep. John Boehner.
**SCHNIPP**
The Pugetopolis Liberals are more than a little impatient with Baghdad Jim; but if he's that bad, why the hell do they reelect him?? It's been no secret about who and what he is, and he stands for election every 2 years like every other House member...
Why pay his legal bills and name a schools for him??? Just get someone elctable to run against him...
::)