Demagogue

From Salon.com:

What were we saying this morning about Republicans who have internalized the idea -- all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding -- that Saddam Hussein was involved in the attacks of Sept. 11? It turns out that it's not just random Republican voters around the country who think that way; the Republican vice chairman of the House subcommittee on terrorism apparently does, too.

In an interview about the president's Iraq speech, North Carolina Rep. Robin Hayes told CNN this morning that Saddam Hussein was "very much involved in 9/11."

According to the transcript of the interview, CNN's Carol Costello told Hayes, "But there is no evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected in any way to al-Qaida."

Hayes' response: "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. There's evidence everywhere. We get access to it. Unfortunately others don't. But the evidence is very clear."

Costello asked, "What evidence is there?"

Hayes responded: "The connection between individuals who were connected to Saddam Hussein, folks who worked for him, we've seen it time and time again."

Costello narrowed her question: "Well, are you saying that Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11?"

Hayes' answer: "I'm saying that Saddam Hussein -- and I think you're losing track of what we're trying to talk about here -- Saddam Hussein and people like him were very much involved in 9/11."

When Costello said that there is "no evidence" to support the claim that Hussein was involved in 9/11, Hayes shot back: "Well, I'm sorry, you haven't looked in the right places."

What brilliant, highly-skilled men we have in Congress. Bill Frist is capable of assessing Terri Schiavo's medical condition by glancing at a video clip. And, apparently, Congressman Hayes is able to see evidence that ties Saddam Hussein to 9/11, evidence that no one else -- not even the White House -- can see.