The GOP opponent of Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) is criticizing him for using the names of the two U.S. journalists beheaded by Islamic militants during a Saturday debate. Udall invoked James Foley and Steven Joel Sotloff while arguing against an “impulsive” response to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the atrocities it has committed.
“I can tell you, Steve Sotloff and James Foley would tell us, ‘Don’t be impulsive,'” Udall said, in a brief clip published by National Review Online. “Horrible and barbarous as those executions were, don’t be impulsive. Come up with a plan to knock (ISIS) back.”
Udall’s comments came during his debate with Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), the Republican nominee, while discussing how to respond to ISIS.
Gardner rebuked Udall in a Monday statement.
“Americans have watched in horror in recent weeks as two of our fellow countrymen have been brutally executed by terrorists, and it’s outrageous that Senator Udall would put words into the mouths of dead Americans,” he said in a statement.
The Udall campaign did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.
UPDATE: 6:00 p.m. ET
Udall apologized Monday in a statement.
“When addressing ISIL during this weekend’s debate, I should not have invoked the names of James Foley and Steven Sotloff,” he said. “It was inappropriate and I sincerely apologize.
“My intent was to emphasize the importance of taking the right next steps as we confront this serious threat. It is critically important for the United States, our allies and countries in the region to beat back ISIL,” he continued. “These terrorists are a serious threat to U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East, and Americans are counting on their leaders to get this right. I will continue to push the Administration and demand that our country’s approach is both tough and smart.”
I thought it was “lambaste” here in the colonies.
Whichever you favour, I suppose.
Carry on.
So republicans when speaking about Benghazi never use names of those who died? I suppose it is only wrong when democrats do the same thing.
Colonies?
Ha-ha-ha!
I think you need to update your information because you’re close to 250 years behind the times. For your reference, the US kicked Britain’s ass in 1776 and we’ve never been anyone’s colony since.
On the other hand, Britain would now be part of Germany if the US had not saved you in WWII, maybe England is now a colony to the US…?
Republicans only rule by impulse and knee-jerk responses. Look at how many freaked out when Obama said we don’t have a plan for dealing with ISIS yet. How dare he think and plan, rather than invade everyone!
That’s why reading this hurts. Udall was elected too late in the game to have any excuse for reflexively accepting the way Republicans frame a narrative.
And, by the way, Mark, now we’re talking about the tiny way you’re wrong rather than the big way you’re right.