Politician Implicate Thine Self

"The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak." -- George W. Bush

Acute malnutrition among young children in Iraq has nearly doubled since the United States led an invasion of the country 20 months ago, according to surveys by the United Nations, aid agencies and the interim Iraqi government.

But Hastert, in an interview to be published today by National Journal, cast doubt on the ability of Congress to deliver on such a rapid a schedule. He was asked what his timetable is for completion of a Social Security bill.

"Politically, we probably need to get something done by next spring, a year from now," he said. "You can't carry it right up to an election. That's just political dynamite." [...]

"Most members [of Congress], down in their heart, know that what we are trying to do is the right thing to do," he said. "It's a question of whether it's convenient politically, or whether they can stand the test back home. We have organized resistance on this thing, and you have to get through that."

If it were "right thing to do" for the general public then, obviously, it wouldn't be "political dynamite". But one wouldn't expect Hastert to let it slip so easily from his lips (after all, the "essence" of Congress is its mandate to obfuscate at all times) -- nor for him to openly acknowledge that he considers the "test" facing his colleagues is to be able "get through" public concerns rathern than to address them.

Posted by Eddie Tews at April 1, 2005 02:13 PM