In a heated exchange in front of the Tribune editorial board yesterday, Dick Durbin fought back against Steve Sauerberg's recurring claim that the Illinois Senator "undermined the troops" with his controversial 2005 floor statement regarding a report on the acts carried out by U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay. The Tribune's Rick Pearson reports:
"OK, I questioned [Durbin's patriotism]. And maybe that's fair. Maybe it's not," Sauerberg said. He said Durbin's comments and other actions are raised by the public along the campaign trail and "undermine our troops, their ability to fight, our nation's credibility in the world."
"I'm going to question a lot of things about my opponent, his positions," Durbin shot back at Sauerberg, his voice filling with emotion. "I would never question your patriotism. I think that is the refuge of scoundrels. I think what you have done here, to raise a question as to whether I love this country is the lowest form of politics. The lowest."
"I apologize if you're upset with me and I understand, but the fact of the matter is, you shouldn't say these things," Sauerberg said. "People are hurt. They're still hurt." The Republican said every veteran he has spoken with holds Durbin "in great disdain."
"You need to meet more veterans," Durbin said, pointing out he recently received the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
markg8 on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 08:31
Durbin is going to be the senior US senator from Illinois for as long as he wants to be. He's damn good at his job.
leo (not verified) on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 20:53
What's more, Durbin is a senator we can all be proud of. He exudes decency out of every pore.
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