Having exhausted the list of usual suspects who might address a controversial issue like Goode’s comments, I had to get creative.
Presidential hopefuls usually like a chance to get quoted. I tried Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and former New York city mayor Rudy Giuliani, and left messages at both offices.
Next, moderate GOP senators. Let’s try the women from Maine, Sens. Olympia Snowe (R) and Susan Collins (R). Snowe’s D.C. and Maine offices were closed; I left a message for Collins. She should have something to say: she’s the outgoing chair of the Homeland Security committee.
What about Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)? There are Muslims in Minnesota, right? Plus he’s spent time on Collins’ Homeland Security committee. Alas, his D.C. office was closed. I left a message at his St. Paul office.
A thought struck me — I ought to call Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA). He’s Catholic, but he’s one of the few (if only) members of Congress with immigrant parents. He’d have a position on curtailing immigration to a particular religious or ethic group, wouldn’t he?
Maybe he does, but I don’t know it. I left a message for his spokesman; here’s hoping he calls back.