As you know, I’m quite an impatient person so I can relate to that.
You've chosen to waste TWO YEARS. You've told the Washington Post as much. Any decent bill on any issue will be vetoed. You can end the occupation by cutting off the drain on the treasury. You can impeach, which cannot be vetoed. And, with a new administration, you could pass bills and have them signed into law. Instead you've chosen a morally and strategically misguided two-year-election campaign at taxpayers' expense. Thanks for nothing.
MATTHEWS: Yeah.
EMANUEL: But the fact is, yes, they want a change in Iraq and they want that change. And they want a change in our economic policies in giving people healthcare security.
They want a change to make sure that we have education access for middle-class families. And I would suggest to you that if all you think is one thing, you’re missing the day to day lives of the American people. They want an end to the war, and they want a change in policies to make sure their middle class life is available to their children.
If you don’t think what’s possible, I would suggest, I will give you a tour through the industrial Midwest and you will see some pretty frustrated people on the economic side and that’s what they want as much, and on an equal level as a change in the war. It is change overall, not just on the war and continue the same economic policies.
MATTHEWS: I just don’t think we can defend the war policy by saying we have other concerns. It’s clearly the number one concern.
EMANUEL: Chris, that’s not what I said. This is the third time and that’s not what I said. Those are both motivating people to want something. That is not what I said. I’m being very clear. They want a change and an end to the war as being pursued and they want changes out of domestic concerns here at home.
Which is why the kids’ healthcare has resonated so well with the American people.
MATTHEWS: I must be hearing from different people than you are, but you have a lot of good polling information. All I ever hear from people is to say why don’t the Democrats end the war, they said they’d do it? That’s what I keep hearing, but you have a response.
Thank you very much.
EMANUEL: Thanks, Chris.
MATTHEWS. U.S. Congressman Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the Democratic Caucus. So, with President Bush asking for more war funding what are the Democrats going to do about it? Will they finally stand up to him or continue to be taken hostage by this administration?
And later, U.S. Congressman Pete Stark apologized on the floor for his comments that President Bush is amused when Americans are killed in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PETE STARK, (D) CA: I want to apologize to my—first of all, my colleagues, many of whom I have offended, to the president, his family, to the troops that may have found in my remarks as were suggested in the motion that we just voted on, and I do apologize.
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