Some pogue Colonel named Bubp learned the hard way why COMBAT MARINES like Rep Murtha will ALWAYS be respected by other COMBAT MARINES:)
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A state representative has disputed comments attributed to him by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt in a speech on Iraq that caused a furor on the House floor and drew ridicule on national TV shows.
In the speech on Friday over a resolution calling for troops to immediately leave Iraq, Schmidt, R-Ohio, said state Rep. Danny Bubp told her in a telephone conversation to send Congress a message to "stay the course."
She was booed off the House floor when she said that Bubp, a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves, told her to tell U.S. Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record), D-Pa., that "cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
House Democrats rose in protest at the suggestion that Murtha, a decorated Vietnam veteran and the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, was a coward. Murtha has called for a troop pullout from Iraq.
Schmidt's speech was parodied on TV's "Saturday Night Live."
Karen Tabor, spokeswoman for the Ohio House GOP caucus, said Bubp, a Republican from West Union in southwest Ohio, never intended his remarks to be used against another serviceman.
"I don't think he ever made reference to Congressman Murtha with Congresswoman Schmidt," Tabor said.
Bubp did not return calls to his office Tuesday seeking comment.
Tabor said Bubp was concerned that the remarks attributed to him by Schmidt, whose district is east of Cincinnati, would be taken as an attack on Murtha and American veterans.
"That's certainly not how they were intended," Tabor said. "The intent of his conversation with Congresswoman Schmidt was to express his concern with immediate withdrawal and the potential to leave (MIA) American forces behind."
Barry Bennett, Schmidt's chief of staff, said Bubp did not know Schmidt was going to use their conversation as the basis of her House floor comments. He said the two have spoken and are planning to attend political events together during the weekend.
Schmidt has sent a note of apology to Murtha and did not intend to imply he was a coward, Bennett said.
Schmidt could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Messages seeking comment were left at her office Tuesday.
Other Republicans had criticized Murtha for calling for troop withdrawal. President Bush and other administration officials have since said that while they don't agree with Murtha, they do not question his patriotism.