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'Mean Jean' Goes to Washington, and Invites a Firestorm
By JASON DePARLE
ABC NewsOhio Republican Jean Schmidt's reference to "cowards" in her House speech ignites bitter outcry from Democrats.
Watch Video:
Showdown on Capitol Hill
Jump Below:
· Fiery Night in the House
· Washington's War of Words
More Coverage:
· Bush Tries to Calm Rhetoric
· House Iraq Vote Ruled By Rancor
· Troops' Pain Drives Murtha
Talk About It: Post Thoughts
WASHINGTON (Nov. 19) - She grew up in the rough-and-tumble of a family auto racing business, went through concealed-weapons training, and bears a local nickname seldom applied to shrinking violets: "Mean Jean."
So when Representative Jean Schmidt, an Ohio Republican, created a furor on her 75th day in Congress by lobbing the word "coward" toward a Democratic war hero, those who know her best were anything but surprised.
Just this week, a profile in The Hill newspaper, which covers Congress, labeled her "gloriously uncensored." Back home in her suburban Cincinnati district, the Whistleblower, an online newsletter that tracks local politics, rushed out a special I-told-you-so issue calling the speech "vintage Jean Schmidt."
"We have said innumerable times that she would go to Washington and open her mouth and create an embarrassment," said Jim Schifrin, the newsletter's publisher. "She will say things that turn people off like nothing you've ever seen."
Among those seemingly turned off was Ms. Schmidt, who quickly asked that her words be withdrawn from the Congressional record, even as they made headlines worldwide.
The uproar arose Friday as the House debated a resolution calling for an immediate withdrawal of forces from Iraq.
In scheduling the vote, Republicans were trying to embarrass Democratic critics of the war, forcing them to dissociate themselves from a call earlier in the week for a slower but still definite withdrawal. That call came from Representative John P. Murtha, Democrat of Pennsylvania, a Vietnam combat veteran who spent 37 years in the Marines and is one of the most respected military authorities in the House.
A Fiery Night in the House
AP"He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message - that cowards cut and run, Marines never do,"
-- Rep. Jean Schmidt, during Friday night's House debate, speaking of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel.
Getty
"You guys are pathetic! Pathetic!"
-- Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., who was among the House Democrats who responded angrily to Schmidt's words
AP
"I did not intend to suggest they applied to any member," especially Mr. Murtha.
-- Schmidt, retracting her comments when debate resumed
Getty
"The poor lady didn't know Jack Murtha was a Marine - she really just ran into a hornet's nest."
-- Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., after the debate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Coverage:
· House Rejects Iraq Pullout
Video: Watch the Debate
Sources: AP, New York Times
In attacking the Democrats' position, Ms. Schmidt, the newest member of Congress, said she had received a call from a Marine colonel, who "asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
The House exploded in catcalls and jeers among outraged Democrats. When debate resumed, Ms. Schmidt retracted her comments and said, "I did not intend to suggest they applied to any member," especially Mr. Murtha.
Ms. Schmidt could not be reached for comment on Saturday, with voice mailboxes full at all three of her offices. Her campaign manager did not return a phone call.
Several Republicans who were on the House floor said afterward that Ms. Schmidt did not appear to know she was referring to a much-decorated veteran.
"The poor lady didn't know Jack Murtha was a Marine - she really just ran into a hornet's nest," said Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia.
Representative David Dreier of California said, "Very clearly, she did not know that Jack Murtha was a Marine."
By JASON DePARLE
ABC NewsOhio Republican Jean Schmidt's reference to "cowards" in her House speech ignites bitter outcry from Democrats.
Watch Video:
Showdown on Capitol Hill
Jump Below:
· Fiery Night in the House
· Washington's War of Words
More Coverage:
· Bush Tries to Calm Rhetoric
· House Iraq Vote Ruled By Rancor
· Troops' Pain Drives Murtha
Talk About It: Post Thoughts
WASHINGTON (Nov. 19) - She grew up in the rough-and-tumble of a family auto racing business, went through concealed-weapons training, and bears a local nickname seldom applied to shrinking violets: "Mean Jean."
So when Representative Jean Schmidt, an Ohio Republican, created a furor on her 75th day in Congress by lobbing the word "coward" toward a Democratic war hero, those who know her best were anything but surprised.
Just this week, a profile in The Hill newspaper, which covers Congress, labeled her "gloriously uncensored." Back home in her suburban Cincinnati district, the Whistleblower, an online newsletter that tracks local politics, rushed out a special I-told-you-so issue calling the speech "vintage Jean Schmidt."
"We have said innumerable times that she would go to Washington and open her mouth and create an embarrassment," said Jim Schifrin, the newsletter's publisher. "She will say things that turn people off like nothing you've ever seen."
Among those seemingly turned off was Ms. Schmidt, who quickly asked that her words be withdrawn from the Congressional record, even as they made headlines worldwide.
The uproar arose Friday as the House debated a resolution calling for an immediate withdrawal of forces from Iraq.
In scheduling the vote, Republicans were trying to embarrass Democratic critics of the war, forcing them to dissociate themselves from a call earlier in the week for a slower but still definite withdrawal. That call came from Representative John P. Murtha, Democrat of Pennsylvania, a Vietnam combat veteran who spent 37 years in the Marines and is one of the most respected military authorities in the House.
A Fiery Night in the House
AP"He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message - that cowards cut and run, Marines never do,"
-- Rep. Jean Schmidt, during Friday night's House debate, speaking of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel.
Getty
"You guys are pathetic! Pathetic!"
-- Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., who was among the House Democrats who responded angrily to Schmidt's words
AP
"I did not intend to suggest they applied to any member," especially Mr. Murtha.
-- Schmidt, retracting her comments when debate resumed
Getty
"The poor lady didn't know Jack Murtha was a Marine - she really just ran into a hornet's nest."
-- Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., after the debate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Coverage:
· House Rejects Iraq Pullout
Video: Watch the Debate
Sources: AP, New York Times
In attacking the Democrats' position, Ms. Schmidt, the newest member of Congress, said she had received a call from a Marine colonel, who "asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
The House exploded in catcalls and jeers among outraged Democrats. When debate resumed, Ms. Schmidt retracted her comments and said, "I did not intend to suggest they applied to any member," especially Mr. Murtha.
Ms. Schmidt could not be reached for comment on Saturday, with voice mailboxes full at all three of her offices. Her campaign manager did not return a phone call.
Several Republicans who were on the House floor said afterward that Ms. Schmidt did not appear to know she was referring to a much-decorated veteran.
"The poor lady didn't know Jack Murtha was a Marine - she really just ran into a hornet's nest," said Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia.
Representative David Dreier of California said, "Very clearly, she did not know that Jack Murtha was a Marine."
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