Jim McDermott: a fine american, mediocre talk host, great politician, sucky congressman

Rep. Jim McDermott wraps up his week as fill-in talk host for KIRO's Dave Ross Show today.

We were disappointed.

But we've been disappointed many times before by our elder Congressman- despite his progressiveness, despite his headline-grabbing propensity for speaking his mind to power.

We didn't really expect too much of him as a talk host- it's a profession (like that of politician) that takes special talent, training, and experience. We admire greatly those who do it well, and there was little expectation from anyone that MickDee would be carving out a new job for himself this week.

He's a rambler and a droner, and given to elongated verbal back-slaps that suit the job o' politics better than that of interviewer or radio provocateur.

No one called in to engage him, even though his very name conjures up sputtering apoplexy from the god-fearing, patriots of the right.

But listening to him blart cordially away every day has reminded us how lame Sunny Jim McDermott is as a public servant, and politician- professions he's practiced since the earth cooled.

What we know about MickDee is what the whole country knows. He went to Baghdad just before the war started and said Saddam Hussein was more trustworthy than George Bush. That got him on national TV, assailed by the right, iconized by the left, interviewed by Michael Moore in Fahrenheit 911.

That's made him more citizen rockstar than citizen statesman.

He's been mired in a nasty legal kerfuffel for 8 or 9 years with now-Majority Leader John Boehner over a secretly taped conversation among Boehner, then House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and other Republicans planning a Machiavellian potluck over a cell-phone. MickDee leaked it to the media, Gingrich lost his speakership and Boehner sued. MickDee at first denied it, then had memory lapses which infuriated judges, obstructed and elongated the process. He lost in the 9th circuit, but is now taking a very noble First Amendment stand that may go to the Supreme Court.

It'd have been a lot less embarrassing for Seattleites, and the work of the district might not have been stymied by partisan acrimony and ill-will, had he taken that stand and told the truth in the first place.

He did a great thing exposing Gingrich's evil machinations and getting him fired as Speaker. If he'd just 'fessed up and taken his slap on the wrist, he'd been hailed a hero. And the whole thing could have been over long ago. He's had plenty of chances to settle this; instead he's been in obfuscations and expensive legal entanglements, and a prolonged pissing match with the R's who really, really hate his guts.

Our district has suffered.

Besides the unproductive wrangling, another reason not much gets done for the Seventh is: McDermott's lazy.

While he's junketed around the world, hung out in courtrooms and with Bono, Senators Murray and Cantwell did the cookin' honey, they paid the rent. The ladies get the bacon, and worry about the roads, fixing the schools, saving the military bases, cobbling up a viaduct.

McDermott is a big picture guy, more interested in the gravy than the grits.

After 9 terms (that's 18 years) in Congress, this is all his official resume has to show for itself:   

In the Congress, he is especially active in health care reform issues. He founded and chairs the Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS, and introduced the AIDS Housing Opportunities Act, for special housing assistance for people with AIDS. Rep. McDermott, the co-author of Single Payer health care legislation, is leading the fight in the House of Representatives to guarantee all Americans comprehensive health care coverage.

We've been hearing about this single-payer bill of his for years, it's Jim's Big Idea. Big ticket dreams such as this need a lot more than proposing, they need bi-partisan foreplay, political shoe leather and at least a ceasefire with the opposition leadership. 

But instead of the fearless innovator working hard for an important cutting edge piece of legislation that could save lives and America, we get McDermott as a right-wing piñata because of his refusal to say "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor.

The R's wanted to get him, get even- they watched his lips, it's reported, and crucified him, putting Democrats in the difficult position of having to defend him.

It was silly, untoward, and a waste, under God, of time and political capital.

We spent some time last year talking to 1st District's Jay Inslee. Made us wish we had somebody in our district with not only the brain for big ideas, but also the energy, and the woof to get real stuff done in Washington.

Made us remember what it's like to have a congressman who inspires by example rather than by distraction. We're not embarrassed by McDermott's national headlines, but we get a little tired of him chasing those butterflies of ego on the people's time.

Democrats complain that McDermott does best by staying away from candidates with hard races lest his wacky reputation rub off on them.

Representing the Seventh District is a sweet, lifetime job for a Democrat and one which lots of Democrats are rubbing their hands in anticipatory glee for when MickDee finally drops over or out.

Such a safe seat doesn't have to be a comfy rocking chair- it could be a firm foundation for a politician to launch great and wondrous things without having the enervating two year cycle of time and money incumbent in tighter districts.

The Seattle Times' David Postman blogged thurs that KIRO Program Director Tom Clendening said via e-mail that McDermott hasn't filed for re-election and gave KIRO a letter indicating that "at this time he is NOT a candidate for re-election."

We only wish this meant that he wouldn't be running at all, but unfortunately it only means he hasn't filed yet, and KIRO won't have to worry about equal time.

If Seattle Democrats were worth a shit, they'd quit complaining about the old husk (and they all do complain) and put up someone good in a primary against him. 

Comments

[joanie]

Interesting if depressing commentary about McDermott. I don't see a lot of action from any rep . . . love Conyers because he keeps trying. Love McDermott because he says the stuff that needs to be said = we're still talking the Baghdad appearance and look how long it has been. And, he turned out to be right. Except for corrupt reps, how many of their names do you know? Pelosi was one I liked at first but she's just sounding shrill now. Bernie Sanders cause, like McDermott, I like his politics. I only know him because I hear him on Hartmann.

It seems to me that the House is chock full of people who are supposed to vote their constituents priorities. He does that and a little more whether you like his political correctness or not. For all of Conyers attempts to get to the bottom of Ohio's vote, what's he accomplished besides keeping it public?

Kucinich was my guy for president and I love what he does as a rep, but to what end? In the end, it is all posturing and wishful thinking. Still, they represent smaller pockets of people and that is the best they can do.

I don't see that the current repubs in the House have worked with any democrat. Not since Tip O'Neill have we had a House that was worth anything . . . but they don't have much opportunity to be unless they are a majority of people who care about Americans.

Rambling . . . sorry . . . I'll try harder when I'm not in a pinch for time! I think you're a little hard on the guy.

[David Tatelman]

Well Michael, I also beg to disagree. I think McDermott suits this district just fine and I enjoyed his week on the radio, too. Like you I was surprised that some of his critics didn't have the guts to call and take him on, because I am sure he could have blasted them. Instead I came away impressed that the man does have an open-mind and he really seems to be quite reasonable and thoughtful, not like the wingnuts would have us believe.

He was actually the hero of Farenheit 911, not just a bit player. And for that we can be proud, too.

I am dying of curiosity to know if he and Dori talked at all and what if anything happened if they did.

[KS]

Objective reporting - it is definitely time for a new Democrat in this District, along the lines of an Adam Smith to succeed MacDee (as you called him), someone who is more effective and relevant than the incumbent. Is there such a politician like this that exists in the most wacky liberal district in the State ? There hasn't been for many years - McDermott has had his own way without any serious primary opposition.

Now would be a good time for them to come to the surface, because the tea leaves say that the upcoming election could well be a bad one for the incumbents, even Dem incumbents. Go figure - Congress has a 23% approval rating.

[stodge charger]

It is the Bush loving incumbents that are in trouble. Mc Dermott is from a solid democratic district. He cannot lose , we will use him to crush the nuts of the GOP

[joanie]

Gee, Michael, you and KS are just two peas in a pod . . .

BTW, Postman "linked" you again. You guys a mutual admiration society? :)

[Donald]

That's funny. Jim McDermott got Newt Gingrich "fired". He resigned as fallout from the Bill Clinton sex scandals. Seeing as how he was banging one of the staff and all. Gingrich is a sleazeball, but he did the right thing. Screw or get blow jobs from the staff in public office and you should go.

[Boom Boom]

McDermott's time in the 7th is done, someone else will take his place. I don't even believe the GOP has a challenger.

And the kid who wants to use McDermott to "crush the nuts of the GOP" may want to find someone else, cause the way things are looking, the only thing getting crushed is McDermott's hip.

[Fremont]

I have always revered McDermott because he IS the avatar of single-payer health care...for that issue, alone, he deserves respect. However, as Bla'M pointed out, it's been a long time coming...and miles to go before we sleep....long...miles.....

[Misty]

Will somebody PLEASE explain to me why no democrats in Seattle will mount any kind of primary challenge to this guy???? I just don't get it. I'm not liberal, but I just KNOW you libs could do better than this guy. What's up with all this????

[joanie]

"I just don't get it."

It strikes me that many people do not read earlier posts before commenting.

[Mike Barer]

I have to applaud you for putting yourself in the crosshairs of both sides in this bitter debate!

[rosco]

The parties don't want challenges in the primaries. They want one candidate with lots of dough. If anyone's going to challenge McDermott it should be the Greens or some other 3rd party.

[S.E.]

I like Jim McDermott and will vote for him again and again. True, sometimes he is wacky in Congress, but the points he makes are very clear. He is a progressive - why change it? Just because you are tired of him doesn't make him tired. If I were to put trust in one man in congress to protect our Constiutional rights, it would be him...and those are the people you DON'T get rid of in Congress. They are pretty rare on both side of the isle.

[Joanie]

Nice tribute to McDermott, S.E. I like a man who says what he thinks and McDermott doesn't pull any punches. Like him or not, you know where he stands. I'm with you, keep him.