Dems tout Harris' missed vote, mum on Edwards
His dereliction of duty is one reason, she said, the party must try to replace him in the next cycle. She contrasted Harris' vote-skipping to Democrats who "do the right thing for the right reason."
But Turnbull didn't mention another person missed the exact same vote: Democratic Rep. Donna Edwards, who represents parts of Prince George's and Montgomery counties. The congresswoman was at the luncheon at which Turnbull spoke.
Turnbull said later that she was aware that Edwards had missed the vote when she made the quips about Harris. But she distinguished between two because the vote occurred on Harris' first day of being a sworn member. Edwards has already been in office for two years, she explained.
Asked whether it was appropriate to hold Harris to a different standard than Edwards, she said: "Standing in a room full of Dems who are unhappy that he's a new congressman for Maryland? Yes.
"Do I think this is worth a Baltimore Sun article? No," she said. "I think it was a throwaway comment."
The vote was on a procedural motion that came to the floor unexpectedly. Twenty House members missed it.
Harris, who represents the Eastern Shore and parts of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties, took some time out of the House Republicans' retreat in Baltimore on Thursday to convey his frustration about not making it to the House floor on time.
He said his pager failed to go off and nobody heard the bells calling the vote. His office called to the floor to ask the vote to be held open, a common request for lawmakers of both parties. He said he burst into the House chamber yelling "one more vote, one more vote." But he was too late.
"I had a good voting record in the [state] Senate and I plan to have a good voting record in the House," he said.
Edwards declined to comment on why she didn't vote, though her press secretary said the congresswoman has an "exemplary" voting record.
Comments
So Mr. Harris, Congressional newbie, who missed a vote through no fault of his own, and yet made a reasonable effort to vote anyway, is chided and held to a different standard.
Meanwhile his seasoned counterpart misses the same vote and is given a pass, and declines to explain why.
We need more representatives like Mr. Harris, who are eager to do the people's business, and less like Ms. Edwards and the pompous, privileged, better-than-thou attitudes they represent.
Posted by: Zizzy | January 14, 2011 9:38 AM
Anne - I am a dem who also does not care for Mr. Harris, and would like to have kept the current blue dog in office.
More importantly, you should head the words of Ms. Turnbull and not if the story is indeed newsworthy or for the benefit of the dems to whom she was speaking and most improtantly proof your work, where is your editor?
Posted by: ken from Frederick | January 14, 2011 9:42 AM
Harford county Loves andy Harris or any Repulican that runs for office. the Democrats are big cry babies and need to stop throwing stones until they clean up their own house. Turnball should loose her position she just got it becuase of her connectio to the Omalley Klan
Posted by: Joe-Ball | January 14, 2011 10:06 AM
who represents Baltimore County and parts of the Eastern Shore
I think that should read "who represents the Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Harford counties."
////
From Annie: Good point, sometimes we just try to shorten the descriptors. Here's a full list of counties Harris represents at least some part of.
* Anne Arundel County
* Baltimore County
* Caroline County
* Cecil County
* Dorchester County
* Harford County
* Kent County
* Queen Anne's County
* Somerset County
* Talbot County
* Wicomico County
* Worcester County
Posted by: jfruh | January 14, 2011 10:07 AM
Why isn't this article on Mr. Harris trying to get to the vote ? Are we going to be subjected to two years of Democratic distortion or someone trying to make the change that 70% of Americans who asked for?
Posted by: kevin | January 14, 2011 10:14 AM
Where is the civility the President is asking?
Posted by: David | January 14, 2011 11:12 AM
Remember? Right after he got elected, he questioned when he would get his health care. Also remeber how he planned to try and overturn the health care bill that will cover you, as well as 30 million others. I just hope he forgets to show up for the vote on that.
Posted by: Steve | January 14, 2011 11:28 AM
An obviously partisan article from a (sadly) incresingly pro-republican leaning newspaper...red herring journalism (snidely sarcastic and suggestive) at its worst. It seems that journalism is going down the same geberal route as politics. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why many people no longer wish to spend their money subscribing to newspapers.
Posted by: Lyn S. | January 14, 2011 11:30 AM
Just more of the same TOTAL BULLSHITE from the democrats hate/attack machine.
Exactly as the Arizona shooting. Talk first and remember nothing of your own.
The dems seemed to take PLEASURE in opening their pieholes far before they know what the hell they are talking about.
Lose an election by historic numbers and have your programs repudiated by the voters and all hell breaks out. Attack with no facts! Attack with LIES! Attack those you hate regardless of the truth.
How sad it is to see such sorry arse losers react to the loss.
Posted by: When will they learn? | January 14, 2011 11:49 AM
I do not like Andy Harris at all but how can Susan Turnbull throw Harris under the bus but not super liberal Edwards is beyond me.
Yet another lesson in hypocrisy from Maryland's ruling junta.
Posted by: john | January 14, 2011 1:53 PM
Andy Harris is quoted in the morning paper as saying he doesn't think there is a problem regarding lack of civility. The comments above might cause him to rethink his position.
Posted by: Dahlink | January 14, 2011 5:26 PM