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Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


1.26.2007

 

Signature moment

Green Mountain Politics1 brought this to our attention. Video on YouTube shows Rep. Peter Welch snaring the president's autograph at the State of the Union.

It does make you wonder why the avowed critic of the president would want his John Hancock. Welch spokesman Andrew Savage reports that he was seeking the signature for his nephew, who is not a fan of the president but was in the audience for the State of the Union.

Shows you the power of the presidency, and of American tradition. Even those who might choke on what the president says want to acknowledge the historic moment of the State of the Union. Welch said as much when he went to the White House during orientation and met Bush. The White House still means something even when you don't like the decisions coming out of it.

Still, you have to wonder if it wasn't a little hard for him to bite him lip and hand the paper for Bush to sign.

- Terri Hallenbeck


Comments:
Oh my God! This is terrible !

Oh, wait ... who gives a crap ???
 
Welch wanted the President's signature for his kid nephew?

This matters only to the people who don't want to talk about Iraq, the deficit, New Orleans ...
 
Yep, Welch is an autograph seeker ... but at least he isn't a plagarist.
 
are you people nuts? this wasn't just an autograph. we can see on the msnbc coverage that Welch pushed his way forward, shook Bush's hand, gave him a thumbs up, then stood back and watched, a massive smile on his face throughout.

it's nice to try to deflect attention away from this, but it just ain't effective. ask yourself this: was bernie down there looking for an autograph? didn't think so. this is a-one hypocrisy, and you all know it: just admit to it and "move on." that is your slogan, right?

this video makes Welch's supporters retch. apparently it's just easier to swallow bile than pride.
 
Anon 7:37,

Someone is accusing Welch of being a plagerist?

Really?

Where did you hear that?
 
MMC, Stick to copying other people. Your own words don't make sense.
 
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
 
Welch better remember that he will have to run agin soon and defend every thing he does now. Good Luck!
 
By the way, the video shows Welch did NOT give Bush a thumbs up as claimed above.
 
Ok. I must confess. I think Bush is a liar and a war criminal and should be impeached. And, if he was here, I would ask him for an autograph. Heck, I might even invite him in for dinner. Then, I might not wash his glass, and save it for my grandchildren. I guess my ethical sensibilities aren't as finely tuned as that highly ethical person up above who is willing (anonymously) to call Welch a hypocrite.
 
the last post at least attempts an interesting point of departure from the normal hum-drum: the author, also anonymously, seems to dust off the old chestnut that those who are not ethical themselves should not accuse others, in this case welch, of hypocrisy. unfortunately, the chestnut's shell doth grow thin from the dusting. let us examine further.

first, holding a poster on a political blog, which is read by the same two dozen wonks every day, to the same standard as a sitting congressperson is ludicrous. this point cannot be defended. the reason welch is a hypocrite is that he, hello, is in Congress. this stands in opposition to the poster (at least i think). the poster can think Bush is a jerk and still ask for his autograph for the precise reason that he is NOT the sitting congressman, that he did not run a campaign against Bush, that he is not in a position to vote against him, that he did not win office on the basis of "holding him accountable," and other reasons too numerous to list. to suggest otherwise is evasive, at best, simply foolish, at worst.

second, the fact that the last poster's post even exists is a clear refutation of his (or her) point: that is, it is self defeating. if it is not a big deal, why post about it? to vent, to experience some sense of catharsis that the world cares about your opinion? to bolster support for welch? i've got news for you, anonymous poster: the world doesnt care, and no one reads this blog. no one who will change their mind at least. the only reason you write is to vanquish your own foes. trust me, i know.

to make a final point, this attempt at appeasing your own political demons will not be succesful. you'll continue to post to blogs that no one reads, spouting rhetoric that has no influence to people who don't care. why? i don't know myself. why do i do it? i don't know.

what i do know is this: your argument, for the reasons articulated above, is a poor one. welch looked like a kid on christmas in the presence of Bush not because of some appreciation for the office, but because he is a fundamentally self-involved, purely political entity. it reflects that his claims during the last campaign are lacking in credulity, eg, that he is full of it. this is a point that the voters, ostensibly, care about. at least they should. why? because voters like politicians who at least seem like they care. welch, by his actions, has shown that he does not. let me be blunt: don't you care?

there are 13 other posts on this topic alone, by far the most posted to topic on this blog. people care. they want a congressperson who seems truthful, who has convictions, not simply political goals. that's the simple point. it's just true.

the question is, can you live with it?
 
Uh, Terri, did you do your homework? You DO know that Green Mountain Politics is Christopher Stewart (aka Monday Morning Clacker), the guy who got fired from the Rainville campaign for plagiarism, don't you? I guess he failed to let you in on that. At least refer to someone that doesn't have an axe to grind.

Oh, and big deal on the autograph thing. Maybe his nephew's a Republican. Who cares? Besides, you don't think having an autograph from the Worst President Ever would be worth something someday?

If Welch doesn't take some strong action soon on taking on Bush, Iraq, and all the other neo-con idiots, you'll have plenty to go after him on, and I'd love to read it. You gonna write an article when Bernie breaks wind?
 
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