TPM LiveWire
GOP Rep Has No Explanation For GOP Hypocrisy
Ben Craw | December 30, 2009, 5:25PM
Share
Send to a friend!
During a telephone interview on MSNBC today Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) failed to reconcile the hypocrisy inherent in Republican criticisms of President Obama's allegedly soft or slow reaction to the attempted attack on flight 253. As MSNBC's Milissa Rehberger pointed out, then-President George W. Bush took six days to issue a response to shoe bomber Richard Reid's failed attack in 2001 -- far longer than President Obama took to address flight 253.
Plus, Reid had a trial in civilian court -- though Republicans have jumped all over the Obama administration for not trying Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in a military tribunal.
After stammering momentarily to Rehberger's question about the apparent double standard, Rep. Conaway offered an answer that didn't address the question:
Well, I didn't come out immediately and criticize the president. He has said let's do this review. There's some other steps he can take. ... Let's look forward to what we ought to be doing, and we can spend all the time we want to looking backwards, whether you want to criticize Bush or whatever. The truth of the matter is, there are active jihadists at work right now trying to come hurt and kill Americans.
Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
W T F
December 30, 2009 5:34 PM
I love the smell of Rethuglic flop sweat in the morning. It smells like...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Johnny
December 30, 2009 5:37 PM
"Let's move forward" = "Let's not hold conservatives responsible for their actions".
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
gharlane
December 31, 2009 1:45 AM in reply to Johnny
Yes, we need to look forward and not backward. I feel like I've heard this before, recently. Can't think of where, though. Hmmm.... it'll come to me.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
JNagarya
January 4, 2010 2:52 PM in reply to gharlane
Might it be the Constitution-subverting "resolution" of the 2000 election by means of theft?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
gharlane
January 6, 2010 3:24 PM in reply to JNagarya
That would be one of them. Sadly, the Democratic Party, including the Obama WH, hasn't seemed to learn. "Looking forward and not backward" when it comes to crimes committed by the Bush admin seems to be the operative phrase at Holder's DOJ, and those words came straight from the POTUS.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
dustbunny44
December 30, 2009 5:43 PM
Obstructionist opportunism doesn't need to explain itself. What are you, some kind of fascist socialist?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
hoppycalif2
December 30, 2009 5:59 PM
It will be a Christmas in July before you hear FoxNews ask such a question, or even hint that there might be a bit of hypocrisy going on now. After all, the conservatives believe there are no limits to what they are allowed to do. Limits are for Democrats.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Atomist
December 30, 2009 6:00 PM
I love the sound of nervously babbling Republicans in the evening. It sounds like...The Woody Woodpecker Song!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cnic
December 30, 2009 6:14 PM
OK, so one lying republican gets caught once. They keep saying this stuff because they know the odds of being called on their lies are pretty low--well worth the gamble!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
rwc
December 31, 2009 2:33 PM in reply to cnic
Exactly, that has always been their game plan and it works 99% of the time; repeat it often and the average voter who doesn't pay close attention thinks it's the truth, even if it is shot down a few times on MSNBC. Let's face it, some online news sites and blogs and MSNBC, particularly the evening opinion shows, are the only sources of news likely to question GOP spin with any regularity and all those sources are mainly preaching to the choir; they're not reaching the average American, much less the GOP-leaning ones.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EastWest
December 30, 2009 6:20 PM
Don't get used to it. ABC News has a story this evening quoting Cheney as saying that Obama should remember we're at war. ABC also says that at least two people suspected of being involved in this plot were released from Gitmo and returned to Yemen. That's it. Nothing about why they're even giving Cheney access to the bully pulpit (a particularly appropriate term for Mr. Torture himself), or about the fact that it was Bush/Cheney who released those two Yemenis from Gitmo. The clear context was that it was Obama who released them.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Peter Principle
December 30, 2009 7:38 PM in reply to EastWest
Nothing about why they're even giving Cheney access to the bully pulpit (a particularly appropriate term for Mr. Torture himself), or about the fact that it was Bush/Cheney who released those two Yemenis from Gitmo. The clear context was that it was Obama who released them.
That's what they're paid for -- they're just a little more subtle about it than Fox News (ABC is for the Outer Party members; Fox News for the proles.)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
amber
December 30, 2009 6:32 PM
Conaway and Hoekstra are freaktown political garbage. People already know that Cheney is a big fat evil liar. That's his legacy. ABCs obviously searching their inner John Stossel.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Peter Principle
December 30, 2009 7:39 PM in reply to amber
ABCs obviously searching their inner John Stossel.
They don't have to search very hard -- they can just pull out their pay stubs.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dogger
December 30, 2009 6:37 PM
"The truth of the matter is, there are active jihadists at work right now trying to come hurt and kill Americans."
And they are being helped by the conservative jihadists who mindlessly attack Obama no matter what he does.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Atomist
December 30, 2009 9:21 PM in reply to Dogger
That's a good example of harmony of interests. Jihadists, Republicans, Likudniks, ayatollahs--all with a vested interest in interminable war.
Makes a good team!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Atomist
December 30, 2009 9:23 PM in reply to Dogger
That's a good example of harmony of interests. Jihadists, Republicans, Likudniks, ayatollahs--all with a vested interest in interminable war.
Makes a good team!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
farnsworth
December 30, 2009 6:40 PM
When the dust all settles, the Republicans will win, in spite of things like facts and evidence and reality. It is sad but true.
Americans as a whole are far too stupid to use this democracy thingy. It takes thought, and thinking hurts most people.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lousgirl84
December 31, 2009 3:31 PM in reply to farnsworth
Win what? Don't you believe it.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cawleybo
January 1, 2010 8:30 AM in reply to lousgirl84
Right. Change is all you should believe in. Or whatever else Obama says.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
JNagarya
January 4, 2010 2:55 PM in reply to cawleybo
You'll be voting for Hillaryt next time?
Or Ralph Nader?
Do you assholes EVER grow up?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Marinus van der Lubbe
December 30, 2009 6:58 PM
It's hard to stay on the talking points when befuddled and confused by the truth.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
MarinCat
December 30, 2009 7:33 PM
After 9/11 it was amazing how Rethugs and MSM immediately sang the "We're at War Now, No-Can-Do Investigation Now". It was the immediate and only narrative that went donw. JM is right to point out that this is an instance of Rethugs licking the gutter of hypocrisy to score a political point.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
stayyoungmyfriends
December 30, 2009 7:52 PM
Thank you Bush, for eight years worth of rebuttals ;)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
bibimimi
December 30, 2009 10:22 PM in reply to stayyoungmyfriends
Aw, HELL yeah!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
NotFooledByDistractions
December 30, 2009 9:31 PM
It is sort of refreshing to see the hypocrisy exposed by the msm - it's pretty rare. If there's one thing that Dems really are pretty weak-kneed about, it's rebutting the crazy and despicable. They let way too much slide.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
roxsteady
December 30, 2009 9:38 PM
THE WORD CLOWNISH DOESN'T DO THEM JUSTICE. WHY WOULD ANYONE VOTE FOR THESE DOUCHEBAGS! Sorry for all of the disturbing CAPS but, I just want to punch every Republican in the face!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
roxsteady
December 30, 2009 9:42 PM in reply to roxsteady
Oh, and spot on! They wait too long! I'm watching Rachel Maddow and she blasted the Dems for their inaction!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
December 31, 2009 4:27 PM in reply to roxsteady
'the system works'. thats a quote, i fell very safe.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kuyleh
December 31, 2009 9:03 PM in reply to jjdjjd
You fell? What did you fall down? Did you hit your head? That would explain the stupidity...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
December 31, 2009 9:55 PM in reply to Kuyleh
hey hottie, you don't cut anyone any slack..........that makes you a real hottie. when we gunna meet? with you around i would feel safe.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kuyleh
December 31, 2009 10:56 PM in reply to jjdjjd
I cut people slack when they deserve it. Thus far, you haven't shown that you do.
Are you trying to "put me in my place" for being female, or are you trying to creep me out in hopes I'll leave you alone? Neither will happen.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 1, 2010 5:24 AM in reply to Kuyleh
you are sooooooooo hot. i think i'm in love.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 1, 2010 5:25 AM in reply to jjdjjd
plus if you check, you the one stalking me.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kuyleh
January 1, 2010 7:02 PM in reply to jjdjjd
I respond to some of your comments, just as I do most other regular posters here. Never once have I implied anything sexual, like you regularly do. And that's what makes it stalking. But I see you doing it to Mr. Adams as well, so it's safe to assume that you just think creeping people out will make them leave you alone.
Maybe if you shove your head up your rear a little further, you'll suffocate.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 1, 2010 8:24 PM in reply to Kuyleh
why respond to me at all if you know how i'll react?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 1, 2010 2:29 PM in reply to Kuyleh
You just don't give up trying to make it with Liberals, do you jjdjjd?
At least you seem to have figured out the difference between males and females on this site, which I count as some sort of positive.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 1, 2010 2:40 PM in reply to Kuyleh
I think he's one of those misogynists who makes a big show of "not being gay". I do recall that he did invite me over to his house once, although he tried to coach it in the guise of some kind of veiled threat. So not only is he a closeted woamn-hater, but he's a chickenshit.
Which makes him the perfect example of the modern Conservative.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 1, 2010 6:06 PM in reply to Dave Adams
come on over , be my guest. if you have what it takes.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 1, 2010 9:35 PM in reply to jjdjjd
i didn't think so. like most of your ilk, you're a coward.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 2, 2010 7:30 AM in reply to jjdjjd
There you go Kuyleh. He's at it again; he's inviting men he doesn't know over to his house. And he wants to know if I "have what it takes".
Too bad jjdjjd. I think you just blew it with her. Although in your case the operative phrase is probably screwing the pooch. Not only do most women not care for misogyny, they don't like guys who throw out desperate invitations to starngers either.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 2, 2010 4:46 PM in reply to Dave Adams
in your case i'm pretty safe. you have no balls.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 3, 2010 2:06 PM in reply to jjdjjd
Your interest in my anatomy is, once again, duly noted, but I remind you that I don't swing that way.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 3, 2010 3:43 PM in reply to Dave Adams
you don't swing at all, not even if i give you the 1st shot. thats the problem i have with a nit like you, you talk,talk,talk, but refuse to back it up. you gray haired women, you probably throw like a girl too.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 3, 2010 9:10 PM in reply to jjdjjd
Tsk tsk tsk... all because I'm not interested in visiting you. And they talk about a woman scorned...
jjdjjd, I've told you before, you should be inviting someone over who really does have what it -or you- take.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 4, 2010 3:52 AM in reply to Dave Adams
i told you about where i live, pick a spot, i'll be waiting. i bet you don't show. time for you to 'put up' or shut up'. i pretty sure i can take an old queen like you.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 4, 2010 10:49 AM in reply to jjdjjd
You're abviously mixing me up with some other guy you've invited over. I don't know where you live nor do I care to.
And BTW, I happen to be straight. So you can stop asking me over.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 4, 2010 11:54 AM in reply to Dave Adams
i live in jersey, pick a date and a spot. or shut up.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jjdjjd
January 4, 2010 3:41 PM in reply to jjdjjd
punk
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dave Adams
January 6, 2010 5:04 AM in reply to jjdjjd
I'm going to tell you one more time moron, I don't care where you live, I'm not coming over to your house, and I don't want any "dates" with you.
BTW this this is the first time you've mentioned what state you live in, so you're a liar too, as well as a chickenshit. I guess that makes you a lying chickenshit.
Does it not occur to you that you can't have a conversation without resorting to homoerotic allusions, mysoginy, and sado-masochistic imagery? It's pouring out of every word you write. You're sick dude, and pathetic to boot. Your life is ruled by your fears.
Get out of your closet, get some fresh oxygen in your brain, and stop annoying the straight men.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Sir-trd
January 10, 2010 9:09 AM in reply to Dave Adams
Tou fucking Che!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Frex
December 30, 2009 9:48 PM
What is sad and reflects poorly on America is that significant numbers of public will believe these fabrications and will deny the facts when presented.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
hologram5
December 31, 2009 11:35 AM in reply to Frex
That is what they are best at, denying facts and promoting lies and half-truths
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
bibimimi
December 30, 2009 10:21 PM
They keep saying this excrement because it's cheap and free. No one calls them on it. If your toilet complained every time u used it, you'd use it less often.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
pmb50
December 31, 2009 12:21 AM
nice try ashole
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
LogicalConsideration
December 31, 2009 8:49 AM
Why is anyone surprised that the GOPers treat these two men differently? Look at their pictures! Richard Reid, while scraggly, is white, ergo, "One of us." The new guy is not, therefore, not "one of us."
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
JEP07
December 31, 2009 9:10 AM in reply to LogicalConsideration
Am I wrong, or did all of us go to high school with Richard Reid, only he didn't look like this guy? We need a fer'n sounding name for Richard, when you see his mug shot, you don;t think "Ricky Reid."
But, I get fooled by this sort of thing every time, when they capruted Sheik Abudllah, when I saw this photo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Khalid_Shaikh_Mohammed_after_capture.jpg
of him shirtless, squinting at the flashbulbs, my first thought was "WOW, John Belushi is still alive!"
Imagine my disappointment when I discovered the true identity of the figure in the pic.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
AnswerFrog
December 31, 2009 10:33 AM in reply to LogicalConsideration
"Richard Reid" also debunks the other GOP fantasy -- racial profiling. If we'd listened to Newt Gingirch, we'd be pulling people with Arab sounding names out of line (say, Kareem Abdul Jabar) and with Arab appearance, meanwhile a Richard Reid goes thru.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
theCleverBulldog
December 31, 2009 1:58 PM in reply to LogicalConsideration
Richard Reid AKA Tariq Raja (طارق راجا) and Abdel Rahim (عبدالرحیم), for those who are unaware of the fact that he is in fact an Islamic extremist.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Belsnana
December 31, 2009 11:19 AM
I believe that one of the reasons for this shameless exhibition of bias is that many of the republican party still do not "get" this newfangled internet business - in which what you once said becomes immortal. Previously, one could indulge in hypocrisy comfortably knowing that, unless a reporter where willing to search diligently for your remarks of a few years back, few people were likely to remember what you had or had not said.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
GTFOOH
December 31, 2009 1:10 PM
A stupid politician from Texas? Go figure!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Sir-trd
January 1, 2010 2:39 PM
More verbal vomit from the repukeliscum.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Tosh
March 12, 2010 6:15 AM
very hard to agree with what he is saying
kamagra m65
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?