Better Late Than Never

House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stunned his Republican colleagues yesterday by announcing that there will be a full and lengthy floor debate on the Iraq war. The decision is an attempt to outflank a Democratic-sponsored discharge petition that would begin 17 hours of debate over Iraq on the House floor. Four House Republicans have already signed onto it: Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Reps. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.), and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.).

The award for the most unintentionally funny statement goes to Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.).

"Having an open discussion on the House floor is unproductive," said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), an officer in the Army Reserve and chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. "The House floor is reserved for productivity."

To which Majority Leader Boehner said, "Oh, yeah. Well, your face is unproductive."

I wish.