My good friend Representative Bubp called me to discuss this plan during the House debate on the issue of immediately removing troops from Iraq.
I relayed our conversation with Representative Bubp on the House Floor.
Since that moment I have been attacked from across the country by the left.
I never meant to attack Congressman Murtha personally. I sent him a personal note of apology on Friday evening moments after my words. While I strongly disagree with his policy, neither Representative Bubp nor I ever wished to attack Congressman Murtha. I only take exception to his policy position.
I am amazed at what a national story this has become. It was never intended.
I am thankful for the thousands of supportive messages I have received from the people I represent and others across the nation since Friday. But this story has been way too focused on me, my conviction and word selection. Instead this story should be focused on the extremely poor policy the minority now propose. A policy, I might point out, that through this media storm has now been repudiated by dozens of leading members of the minority.
I have been attacked very personally, continuously since Friday evening. I am quite willing to suffer those attacks if in the end that policy I so strongly oppose is exposed as unsound. First and foremost I support the troops. They dodge bullets and bombs while I duck only hateful words.
uh, Jean? Even Bubp has called you a big liar.
Just keep your eye on the ball.
