Taking a Stand Against the Kuhl, Hayes and Bachmann Comments

I serve in the House with decent, patriotic Republicans, and as a congressman I have the honor of representing thousands of Republicans. They love their country and respect their neighbors. And yet these recent comments by three of my Republican colleagues must be challenged. Partisan passions always rise two weeks before an election, but calling the other party 'anti-American,' saying members of one party 'hate real Americans' and 'want the American public to suffer' crosses the line.

No wonder Colin Powell is so concerned about the direction of the Republican Party. It is at risk of being taken over by the voices of fear and division. A party so intent on dividing America is unfit to lead all of America. And so I call on my Republican colleagues to disavow these statements. These statements are not worthy of a great nation and a great institution like the United States Congress.

Comments

[newdreams]

It's not every member of congress that recognizes that bipartisanship, as an agenda, only hurts America. Each one of us is in desperate need of fair representation - not an assigned Capitol Hill Bully. We need leaders that will change the tone and quality of congress. It shouldn't have to be reduced to this low level of insults and irrelevancy. We do not need the division right now. We as a people are better than that.

Please do everything in your power to help Obama fill the Secretary of State office with someone, like yourself, that can see through and can help do away with the ridiculous antics of those in congress that are bipartisan.

[ryanrahhal]

I hope as WH Chief of Staff, you will sideline these people. Invite them into the process only after they apologize. Bipartisanship is important, but you don't have to let the kids who throw rocks play in the sandbox with you.

[FZliveson]

Congressman: I donated to Tinklenberg's campaign after Bachmann blabbed. A Californian, I had mixed feelings about contributing. Congress embodies POLARIZED-DOGMA. Feinstein & Herger, admitted; their constituents were hugely AGAINST the bailout. They voted yea anyway. IF CONGRESS IGNORES CONSTITUENTS, they're RENEGADE ARISTOCRATS. It's OPEN SEASON. Every vote/seat affects everyone nationally. We must fight to get what we need. The two-party system is an orgy. The taxpayer is the milk-cow and congress is the farmer. Take this personally, Congressman until you faithfully put the constitution (not dogma) and your constituents (not your friends, colleagues or lobbyiests) in first place in every decision.
And...don't use the word "Republican" as though it means anything. Today's Republican is a red rubber stamp for Bushian Dogma. Today's Democrat is a Blue rubber stamp for anything that is anti-Bush. This is childish and embarassing.

We need to FILL BOTH HOUSES WITH RESPONSIVE ROOKIES, to read history and act as our patriot ancestors acted when they were enslaved by OPPRESSIVE ARISTOCRATS.
Stop the pleasatries and platitudes, congressman...The champagne is as flat as the tires on the two-party bandwagons' and we're tired of paying your way!

[flhu]

Kuhl's opponent's web site:
Eric Messa for Congress
http://www.massaforcongress.com/index.asp

[honestpolitician]

Thats right. - their comments have no ground - nor are they even credible... These GOP's are just worried about hitting the unemployment line coming January.... These 3 people should not be allowed back into office - ever.

POLITICAL AD ATTACKS!! http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[pjburns11]

It's funny when there are those few rats who just don't know when to leave a sinking ship.

Funny in a tragically funny sort of way.

Powell and Adelman on the other hand know the ship is sinking and are maneuvering to keep themselves from any pesky future investigations. Powell is not above reproach we must remember he lied to us- he lied to the UN, he either knew it or was grossly negligent in spewing the lies of his bosses. Shameful. I hope Obama can acknowledge his endorsement today and has the opportunity to indict him tomorrow.

Or maybe Powell could redeem his good name and provide evidence against his criminal handlers.

http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/wheres-powell-been-oh-thats-right-in-hiding/

[medici]

Kuhl, Bachman and Hayes have had their fifteen minutes of fame. BTW,I wonder what their definition of "real Americans" is.

[RFBorjal]

Why do Republicans think they have a monopoly on patriotism? Why do they label anybody who disagrees with their ideas "anti-American"? Does American equal Republican to the exclusion of everybody else? Don't they know that the greatest strength of America is its unity in diversity?

Looks to me like the Republicans' greatest core traits are arrogance and intolerance.

[bobdob]

"Why do Republicans think they have a monopoly on patriotism?"

Because we allowed it. Back in the Vietnam era, the battle lines were drawn. Being a "patriot" was almost a dirty word, because the Republicans had turned it into one. If what they believed was patriotism, then we wanted none of it. But these times call for fierce patriotism. They beg us to return to our roots and to our core beliefs in what America IS--not what America has become. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney attacked our beliefs, our convictions and our Constitution. This can not stand. We are patriotic, we love our country, and we are taking our country back.

[Woodn88s]

Remeber the last election, They had a monopoly on God. It was their God.
They're a Sorry bunch!

[nana4g]

Rham Emanuel is a Democrat. He means that as the Congressman elected from his district, he represents Democrats AND Republicans. He is a good man.

[JacksonGT]

Well said, Congressman. When we demonize each other, we all lose. But, sadly, I doubt highly that it is going to stop anytime soon. The air is hyper-politicized right now. It's really uncomfortable.

[Schaz]

It's good of you to take this stand. But your introduction of yourself -- you only represent Republicans? In my state, our representatives represent all of the residents of their district, whether of their party, of another party, or even if they didn't vote.

[jaielaw]

He's a Democrat. He either assumed people knew that or didn't notice he'd left it out. Anyway, I think his point is that he represents everyone and not just constituents of his party.

[3dtrix]

Out of the ashes, a better nation arises! I salute you, sir.

[richard from palo alto]

Bachmann's a whiney little Republican quick to blame others for what was so clearly her own undoing. Just saw her on Hardball again. She buried herself with her own hate.

Enjoy obscurity, and thanks for the house seat.

[Mikal]

The time for politeness is over, Rahm. McCain and others you mention need to be called out on their divisiveness. They do a disservice to our country with their irresponsible blather. With, Palin's interview with Dobson, this divisiveness has now progressed to the next level of absurdity with the so called "prayer warriors", with Palins concurrence, asking for God to intervene in the election on Nov. 4 to ensure a Republican victory. Now we not only have un-American citizens in our country, but also citizens who are on the wrong side of God. What an abomination this election has become.

[Hoelder]

Republicans are scary especially since they do not follow the rules. Grammar is a fundamental necessity to communicate. If they say the "Democrat Party", they underline the disdain of anything that is important to be in a society.