NBC reported, “House Minority Leader John Boehner got emotional this morning as he spoke about the ‘solemn’ debate that the House is set to begin today over the non-binding resolution opposing Bush’s troop increase.” Boehner “began to shed tears.”
Boehner’s fleeting moment of solemnity was quickly replaced with divisive attacks on Iraq war critics. Speaking on the House floor, Boehner began the House debate on the anti-escalation resolution by calling it a criticism of “the latest effort by American forces to win in Iraq.” Boehner said that escalation opponents are taking the “bait” of “al Qaeda and terrorist sympathizers” by using Iraq to “divide us here at home.” Watch it:
[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/02/boehnerbait.320.240.flv]
Transcript:
BOEHNER: Today, we begin an extended debate on the resolution criticizing the latest effort by American forces to win in Iraq. There’s no question that the war in Iraq has been difficult. All Americans are frustrated that we haven’t seen more success and that we haven’t seen it more quickly. But war is never easy and almost never goes according to plan.
Al Qaeda and their supporters in the region have been steadfast in their efforts to slow us down and frustrate our efforts to succeed. But because they cannot defeat Americans on the battlefield, al Qaeda and terrorist sympathizers around the world are trying to divide us here at home. Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to show our enemies that we will not take the bait.