I disagree with him on almost every political issue I can think of, but Rep. [tag]Walter Jones[\/tag] Jr. (R-N.C.) seems to have learned a great deal over the last few years, particularly when it comes to the [tag]war[\/tag] in [tag]Iraq[\/tag].<\/p>\n
Jones, you may recall, came up with the idea of changing the name of “french fries” to “freedom fries” in the House dining hall in 2003. Asked why the move was necessary, Jones said, “This isn’t a political or publicity stunt…. It’s a gesture just to say to the French, ‘Up yours!'” Classy.<\/p>\n
That was then. By May 2003, Jones was publicly criticizing the war, saying we invaded Iraq “with no justification.” He lined the hallway outside his office with “the faces of the fallen” and ultimately suggested that lawmakers may have been “given misinformation intentionally by people in this administration.”<\/p>\n
Indeed, the so-called “[tag]debate[\/tag]” [tag]Congress[\/tag] had this week was, in fact, largely Jones’ idea. A few months ago, it was Jones who sent a letter around to his colleagues calling for “an open and honest debate on the future of U.S. policy in Iraq.” He wanted 17 hours of debate on the House floor on whether lawmakers believe Bush should “develop and implement a plan for the withdrawal” of U.S. troops. When House Majority Leader John [tag]Boehner[\/tag] (R-Ohio) agreed<\/a> to hold just such a debate, Jones was thrilled. Finally, he thought, the House could engage in some serious discussion about the most important issue facing the country.<\/p>\n Then the GOP leadership decided to shuffle the deck a bit and “improve” on the idea of a floor debate. It was a classic bait and switch: Republican leaders promised a debate on the war, but delivered a debate on whether “the United States will prevail in the Global [tag]War on Terror[\/tag].” No amendments or changes were allowed. Is Jones still pleased? Not so much<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jones now says he feels duped by his own party’s leadership. “Maybe I should have been less trusting, but I felt it would be a debate that would allow us to talk about policy,” Jones told me. “I don’t see how we would have gotten hurt if we had allowed members of both parties to go down to the floor to offer an amendment.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n