Can raging moderate make any difference?

[babylonsister]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003723935_adamsmith27m.html

Can raging moderate make any difference?

By Alicia Mundy
Seattle Times Washington bureau


WASHINGTON — It was nearly 10 o'clock on a cold February night when Congressman Adam Smith got his moment in the sun.

Smith was helping manage the House vote against President Bush's planned troop escalation in Iraq when a senior Republican argued that opposing the "surge" was tantamount to retreat — something that George Washington never did.

"Well, as it happens, I just read a biography of Mr. Washington," Smith countered, "and not to go puncturing holes in ... our great nation, but he retreated a fair amount, actually.

"I don't know where we got this idea that the great leaders of our time only went forward," he continued. "It does sort of portray the thinking of the president that the only way is forward, regardless of the details. A little more thought, I think, might help us."

The speech was slightly smug, but off the floor Democrats stopped whispering and nodded at Smith.

After a decade toiling in the minority in Congress, this should be Smith's time to shine. The Tacoma Democrat is in his sixth term, having won re-election in the 9th Congressional District last year with 65 percent of the vote.

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[Honeycombe8]

1. A politician who actually knows a bit about history? Awesome.

And of course, he's a Democrat.

Great article. Thanks. I'll keep my ears open about this Smith guy.