Galloway: The man who took on America

[cal04]

How did one maverick MP manage to outgun a committee of senior US politicians so successfully? And did he make any lasting impact? Rupert Cornwell reports from Washington

It may not have been the "mother of all smokescreens" - as George Galloway memorably described the congressional investigation into the Iraq oil-for-food scandal - but his appearance certainly underlined the mother of all culture gaps between the parliamentary traditions of Britain and America.

We tend to see politics as a public bloodsport. In the US politics is as brutal as anywhere. But the violence usually takes place off-stage, in the lobbying process, in the money game, in the ruthless manipulation of scandal. True, every four years there are presidential election candidates' "debates". But - with the exception of Bill Clinton - every recent American president would have been slaughtered weekly if he had to face Prime Minister's Questions. On the public stage, US politicians are not accustomed to serious challenge.

Take Norm Coleman. He is a smooth, upwardly mobile Republican senator who is making a name for himself at the helm of the Permanent Sub-Committee for Investigations, not least because of his call for Kofi Annan to step down as United Nations secretary general over the scandal. As Mr Coleman knows, no American politician ever lost a vote by bashing the UN.A telegenic former big city mayor, he looks younger than his 55 years. Every senator, it is said, looks in the mirror and sees a future president. And who knows, maybe a White House run is in Mr Coleman's future. But on Tuesday, to UK and US observers alike, he looked way out of his depth, manifestly unprepared for what was coming when Mr Galloway began to testify.A telegenic former big city mayor, he looks younger than his 55 years. Every senator, it is said, looks in the mirror and sees a future president. And who knows, maybe a White House run is in Mr Coleman's future. But on Tuesday, to UK and US observers alike, he looked way out of his depth, manifestly unprepared for what was coming when Mr Galloway began to testify.

In Britain, the prospect of such a confrontation would have sketch-writers and columnists salivating days in advance. But that is not the American way. Honourable exception should be made for the New York Post, Murdoch-owned and the nearest thing in the US to a Fleet Street tabloid. "Brit Fries Senators in Oil" was the headline on a news story that noted the "stunning audacity" of Mr Galloway's performance, how he had caught Mr Coleman and his colleagues "flatfooted" (only one of whom was left when the chairman brought the embarrassment to an end).
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=639588


BRIT FRIES SENATORS IN OIL
http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/46783.htm

[NJCher]

1. notice how Galloway gets in the two-fers?

His punches always have a second or even third blow (kabam, pow, kaboom!)

Like this one:

"In these circumstances, knowing what the world knows about how you treat prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison, in Bagram Air Base, in Guantanamo Bay . . . I'm not sure how much credibility anyone would put on anything you manage to get from a prisoner in those circumstances," Galloway added.

In this one he gets in a dig about how the U.S. treats prisoners AND makes the point that such treatment is ineffective.

I particularly liked what he said after this:

"As a matter of fact, I met Saddam Hussein exactly the same number of times as Donald Rumsfeld met with him," Galloway said, referring to meetings the defense secretary had during the Reagan administration.

...when he made the point that Rumsfeld was selling weapons and he, Galloway, was on an endeavor to make things better.

This guy is no one to trifle with. He dealt bushco a devastating, quite possibly lethal blow yesterday.


Cher

[Mokito]

2. Indeed!

Methinks they, as is said, picked the wrong fight.

[SweetLeftFoot]

3. Ahhh, Gorgeous George

it's shame that Gorgeous George had to get himself elected in one of Britain's most deprived constituencies.

The people of Bethnal Green don't need an international statesman harying the Bushco, they need somebody who can get funding for their schools and libraries.

While I admire the big fellas stand on many issues, its a crying shame that some of Britian's most needy people will have to pay to provide him with showpony platform.

[omega minimo]

5. The Goddess works in mysterious ways

Thanks for the reality check.

We are damn grateful anytime anyone turns over the rock On The Hill. You can see how "needy" Americans are by the reaction to a public figure wielding the sworrrrd of trrrrruth.

Cheers then :hi:

[Eloriel]

12. Well said, and I concur completely

Sometimes there are people in this world whose job it is to carry bigger burdens. Poking the current U.S. regime in the eye is a VERY important job, and someone had to do it. I don't care how he's regarded at home, he's done a great service for the entire world.

[omega minimo]

14. The class system in the UK is In Your Face

whereas in the US, the supposed "level playing field" is built upon a sub-level foundation of classism cornerstoned with racism and sexism.

Perhaps the job of speaking truth to cowerer's in the Senate required someone who possesses a statesman's command of the English tongue (delivered with intoxicating clarity, alacrity and lilt), confident familiarity with the blustery Parliment and skill at "eternal grandstanding." (SweetLeftFoot )

We are in dire straits here. OUR ENTIRE MASS CULTURE AND POLITICAL SYSTEM HAVE BECOME A "showpony platform." (MLF again).

Thank gods for the Gift of Gab.

IMHO we need Gall not Balls.

BTW, I do care how he's "perceived at home." We are in solidarity with his constituents who have to focus on our daily lives while watching these playactors on the political stage perform for the cameras...

In this case, Mr. Galloway blew the fourth wall off the TV, behaving as if this WERE real life and not just a version of Dynasty/1984 in Hell.

[pacifictiger]

9. So what have his electorate

constituents got to do with it?
It was my impression that his prime motive in speaking was to defend his own personal honor, after having been accused by the US Admin of taking money from Saddam via the oil for food program.

[SweetLeftFoot]

10. It's all part

of Galloways eternal grandstanding.

[Eloriel]

13. Hey, he can grandstand in my ciongressional meetings anytime he wants

:evilgrin:

[otohara]

4. As For Any Presidential Run

I say, run a 30 second commercial showing him scurrying off his perch the other day - running away from the fiery ex-MP.

[Carolab]

6. Coleman does NOT look younger than 55

Not in person he doesn't

[kliljedahl]

7. "Permanent Sub-Committee for Investigations"

Does anyone else find the name of this committee VERY, VERY scary?


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Excellent piece

From the article"

"If in fact he lied to this committee, there will have to be consequences," said Mr Coleman after the encounter, in the manner of a petulant schoolboy outgunned in an argument, but who gamely insists on having the last word, however feeble, in an attempt to retrieve his dignity.

[Demeter]

11. The Only Audacity I've Seen In This Affair

is calling for kofi Annan to resign for no good reason--like evidence of wrong-doing on his part, or even on the part of the UN!

The whole investigation will blow Halliburton and BushCo out of the water before it sinks the UN.