Clyburn declines to apologize for Stark’s remarks

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Thursday that he will not apologize for Rep. Pete Stark’s (D-Calif.) controversial comments on the Iraq war, claiming that the outspoken lawmaker “is responsible for his actions.”
 
During an interview on CNN’s “The Situation Room” with Wolf Blitzer, Clyburn distanced himself from Stark’s comment earlier this week during floor debate on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
 
{mosads}Triggering a GOP outcry, Stark charged that Republicans “don’t have the money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
 
Pressed by Blitzer, Clyburn said, “I’m responsible for my actions. He’s responsible for his actions. I would not use those words, but Pete Stark is Pete Stark.”
 
Appearing with Clyburn on the show, House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) said that Clyburn “should demand that he apologize.”
 
When Clyburn repeated that he is not to blame for Stark’s remarks, Putnam responded, “Fairly or unfairly, party leadership ends up being responsible for the actions of their members.”
 
Clyburn countered, “I don’t think you’re responsible for some of the comments I have heard some of your members [make].”
 
Stark’s office could not be immediately reached for comment Friday.