Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Is Shadegg channelling his inner Hayworth?

We'll know for certain if Shadegg announces his retirement from Congress in order to start a career in talk radio (not that Hayworth had any real choice about the timing of his retirement from Congress :)) )...

From the Phoenix New Times -

Congressman John Shadegg's theatrics on the floor of the House of Representatives are becoming almost legendary. By legendary, we mean borderline insane.

Just over a week ago, the congressman brought a 7-month-old baby named Maddie to the floor with him to illustrate his outrage over the healthcare bill.

{snip}

While addressing members of Congress about the Justice Department's decision to try suspected 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, and his Al Qaeda cronies in New York City, Shadegg had this to say:

"I saw the mayor of New York today. He said 'we're tough; we can do it.' Well mayor, how are you going to feel when it's your daughter that's kidnapped at school by a terrorist? How are you going to feel when it's some clerk -- some innocent clerk of the court -- whose daughter or son is kidnapped? Or the jailer's little brother or little sister?"
The passage in the Congressional Record can be found here (first column, second complete paragraph).

Video below -

3 comments:

Thane Eichenauer said...

The Republicans are always shaking the bogeyman at the public. I hope people start telling him privately how tiresome it is getting. These days clerks and jail guards are more worried about keeping their job than they are about a non-existent kidnapping that has never happened in the US.

If Shadegg wants peace he needs to offer justice not prevent it.

Eli Blake said...

The irony is that in 2006, in its editorial endorsing Harry Mitchell, the Arizona Republic wrote in its editorial:

Hayworth has been in Washington for more than a decade and by now should have demonstrated some growth in office. Take a look at Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. A colleague who joined the House at the same time, Shadegg is one of the conservative caucus' most respected members and a leading contender for a GOP leadership position if the Democrats regain the majority.

That was the old Shadegg. The new Shadegg is a grumpy old man who whines, snarls and postures. Maybe he shoulda retired last time.

Craig said...

Thane - for once, we are pretty much in agreement on something.

Eli - FWIW, I've heard more than once that Shadegg plans to retire for real this time. He may be going through a period of "short timer's attitude" or something.