Warner Bucks GOP Right On Probe of Prison Abuse

Friday, May 28, 2004; Page A01

The silver-haired Virginian with courtly manners is a throwback to a forgotten era of congressional comity. But as he leads the Senate's inquiry into abuse of Iraqi prisoners, Armed Services Committee Chairman John W. Warner (R-Va.) also shows another side: a penchant for bucking his party, taking heat and surviving.

Warner says his committee has a "solemn responsibility" to discover what went wrong and to "make sure it never, never happens again." But some conservatives are angry about the high-profile televised hearings, saying the prisoner-abuse issue is overblown and threatens to undermine the United States' primary mission in Iraq.

As a result, the 77-year-old Virginian finds himself in an uncomfortable but familiar position: more at odds with the right flank of his own party on some critical issues than he is with Democrats.

"I think he should stop the hearings at this point; we've heard enough," said Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), a committee member. "We have a war to win, and we need to keep our talents concentrated on winning the war as opposed to prisoner treatment."

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) complained that Warner and other Senate members have become "mesmerized by cameras." Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld was irked when Warner, in a departure from normal committee practice, decided to put all abuse-inquiry witnesses -- including the secretary -- under oath, according to Senate sources.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61653-2004May27.html

onward!

... on oil-slicked pavement moistened by a light rain ... :evilgrin:

Well, a guy can use all the catharsis he can get. :shrug:

when Card was meeting with the senate republicans. He's absolutely pissed about the lack of respect the WH shows to the house & senate. I think he's getting a sense of satisfaction doing this.

If you lose the peace, and lose your soul in the bargain.

Besides, the war in unwinnable in any case.

More Republicans who are dismayed should speak up. I cannot believe that they would sit idly by while a radical faction such as the Neocons put forth an agenda for the entire party.

I loved the way Warner avoided undue pressure the day of Rummy's testimony when Rumsfeld kept reminding him that he had to go by 2:30. Rumsfeld trying to force the committee investigating his competence to play by his rules while he's under oath and many were calling for his resignation was quite audacious. But it didn't surprise me.

This slays me:
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) complained that Warner and other Senate members have become "mesmerized by cameras."

No complaint is too petty for them, is it really?

I'd swear that I've seen a lot more of Duncan Hunter's ugly mug on tv lately than I've seen of Sen. Warner's. It just scares hell out of me that these people are in total control of our government.

He talked up the lack of equipment for the troops, but that was just a shallow effort. He is either misinformed, a dim bulb, or a shill. So, pick one. My guess is a bit of all three.

followed by an apology for bush*s criminal behavior in creating this disaster in the first place!

We need to keep it up to undercut bunkerboy's "war" effort! That's the whole point! - to get the hell out of there YESTERDAY!

We have a war to win, so we have already set a date to hand over power to the gov't that doesn't exist when we win the war that geedubya said we won over a year ago.

seems some weren't telling the truth as newer allegations have come out.

I didn't know he had asked for that and gotten it. Since the 9/11 witnesses (I believe) weren't put under oath, I figured it would be the same.

I don't like or trust John Warner, but this is very interesting.

Hey, in our quiet moments, I hope that what's considered "our Father's Republicans/Conservatives" are as a noble mix (representative of the population) as the Democrats. No, I'll give you that I'm disappointed in some of the rigid morality positions of Republicans. But you have to admit, some of these folks also "walk the walk." Warner's too conservative for my tastes but I respect him for being what can be considered - an honest broker.

BTW I hope the next time that posturing clown, Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), chooses to have another verbal hissy fit, our distinguished John Warner orders him to go "stand in the corner." LOL