4/20/2008
Would Kagen the statesman say THAT?
1/9/2007 Appleton: A statesman doesn’t brag about addressing the First Lady as “Barbara”, or about cornering Karl Rove in a White House restroom. It’s kind of weird.
“Texas Hold ‘Em Blogger” (and many others) picked it up from Charlie Sykes (here's the Journal-Sentinel take) who picked it up yesterday from a piece written for the Inside Scoop, which picked it up from the source, a piece written by Jim Lundstrom for The Scene, which is on valley news stands now and just last night was posted on the web.
I talked with Jim Moran, The Scene’s publisher, who mentioned that indeed, the unstatesmanlike (my word, not Jim’s) part of the article was just a sidebar – the cover story was an important discussion about peace. In talking with a participant of the meetings, I confirmed that indeed, Kagen-on-a-sidebar was just a few minutes out of a serious hour-long discussion on bringing war to an end in Iraq.
It’s an interesting article, peppered effectively with quotes from Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience.” Author Lindstrom sat in on a meeting the Fox Valley Peace Coalition had with Congressman-elect Steve Kagen to discuss the war. The Scene also includes a sidebar with the details of a United Peace and Justice peace rally in Washington D.C. on January 27.
It’s the 600-word sidebar about Kagen’s visit to the White House that gives one pause. “[Kagen] told the group one of the first lessons he learned in Washington is to never pass up a rest room because you don’t know when you’ll see one again.”
So Rep. Kagen finds a rest room in the White House and lo and behold, “who walks in, Karl Rove… After Rove washed his hands (‘At least he’s a hand washer,’ Kagen said), he attempted to leave, but Kagen prevented his departure by holding the door closed and said, ‘You’re in the White House and you think (sic) your safe, huh? You recognize me? My name’s Dr. Multimillionaire and I kicked your ass.’”
Read for yourself [no longer available to link to] the rest of the conversation with Mr. Rove and a tête-à-tête with Vice President Cheney as well. (Representative Kagen brags about walking away from the Vice President.)
Then he approaches the President: “’I said to my wife, “Honey, just follow my lead.” She said, “Steven, it’s the president.” I said, “Yeah, but he’s not any taller than I am.” …. I said, “Mr. President, thank you for coming to Green Bay. My name is Dr. Multimillionaire. That was before the the race. Now they call me Doctor Thousandaire’….’Then I go to his wife, “Hi Barbara, how are ya?” I did that because I learned on the campaign that the meanest thing you can say to another gentlemen is, “he’s a fine fellow,” and you then refer to his spouse by a different name.’”
I hope Representative Kagen learns soon that we expect our congressman to maintain a tenor of respect – especially anytime these guys with the ink are in the room.
COMMENTS
Would Jo the Political Junkie say THAT? Jo, FYI, the First Lady's name is Laura. It was the last President Bush who's First Lady was named Barbara. Rich
Rich, I know Laura's name isn't Barbara. And Rep. Kagen knew that too. But according to the press account, Dr. Kagen addressed the First Lady as "Barbara" as a show of disrespect. Again I say, it's weird. Jo
Rich Eggleston (Tue Jan 09 10:17:05 2007)
At first I was a little leery of this story because it sounded so bizarre, I was ready to put it in the category of an "urban legend". But now that we have an eyewitness, I'm ready to put Kagen in the category of a "total jerk".
Char Stevenson (Wed Jan 10 11:30:01 2007)
Bravo, Steve. It's about time someone had the guts to put that sleazebag Rove in his place. Rove has destroyed too many good people's lives and careers. Too bad Rep. Kagen is too much of a gentleman to stop at just the tonguelashing.
Yes, too bad Laura was included in the dissing. But for what Bush and Cheney have done making lives miserable for the vast majority of U.S. residents, destroyed our standing in the world, contributed to the destruction of the environnment, and bankrupted this country for many future generations, it was long in coming. I'm sure Dr. Kagen will now get down to business as the best representative Northeast Wisconsin has ever had, but this needed to be done. God bless you, Steve Kagen.
Dave Muench (Thu Jan 11 08:55:10 2007)
Eeeewwww! Steve Kagan was rude to the three masterminds of some of the most appalling behavior in the history of this country! Wait, wait, I feel an attack of the vapors coming on! Get me my smelling salts!
For crying out loud. Don't you remember the ads designed by Karl Rove and approved by BushCheney? Obviously that bunch was completely unconcerned about being statesmanlike, or comporting themselves with anything resembling respect or dignity. Steve Kagan (sic) held himself mostly above this during the campaign, ignoring the personal attacks. Now that he's won the election, I'm not going to criticize him for confronting these clowns face-to-face - like a man.
That's more than those cowards Rove or Bush have ever done, and the last time Cheney confronted an opponent - Senator Patrick Leahy - he told him [off]. And Cheney was unapologetic about that. Glad you got all that off your chest, Steve! I know we can count on you to settle in nicely and get to work now.
Glad you got that off your chest Joanne. - Jo
Joanne Roush (Thu Jan 11 14:17:48 2007)
Wow, Poor Steve, people said bad things about him.
What's that comment about kitchen heat? You all should know that in life he who loses his cool and temper first is often the first too lose. Our Rep lost his cool (if ever there was any) and instead of focusing on the issues he is focusing on HIMSELF.
Sure, the lefties of our area are high-fiving each other over this (as evidenced by some of the comments here) but when it comes down to it most of the people of this district are independent and want our elected officials to work together not to settle petty personal scores. Plus there is all the talk about reaching out to the other side. He just didn't tell us reaching out was to slap the other side. What a fun two years it will be for us bloggers.
Marcus Aurelius (Fri Jan 12 09:02:40 2007)
This Is Who Is Representing Us? The White House has called our Congressman Steve Kagen's story about verbal abuse he laid on First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and advisor Karl Rove during a White House reception for freshman lawmakers 'ridiculous'.
Kagen told the story to a local peace group at his Appleton campaign office December 19. A reporter for the The Scene was at the gathering and reported the story in their local newspaper. Now Kagen isn't commenting and says..."I couldn't verify the accuracy of that." One of two things is obvious. Either Kagen was lying about the incident taking place or we have elected a no class boob to represent us. In either case, we lose!
Marv Schuster (Fri Jan 12 14:48:23 2007)
Just when you thought the election was over.... I guess if your person doesn't get in you find find or create an issue to talk about. It sounds like another partisian witch hunt. Sad, we have so many issues that need attention that have been ingnored for over six years and it looks like more of the same old " Look at what his is doing!" .
Yes, really sad!
Norb West (Sat Jan 13 10:18:06 2007)
Yeah and George Bush gave Angela Merkela a back rub. Let's get priorities straight here.
There is quite a bit to discuss regarding Kagen's record and Bush's record etc. One of the reasons why this country is going down the tubes is because we don't talk about policy, we instead talk about people. Bush was perceived as a guy you could have a beer with instead of Al Gore or John Kerry. Big deal, all those warm and fuzzies have led us into disaster after disaster. Kagen may have his personal quirks but look at what he does or will do in the interest of this district and the country.
dave allen (Fri Dec 21 07:34:31 2007)
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