From: "Richard Hong" 

>> you said "even a statewide office" and the context/intent was
unmistakable.

Mark,

The intent was to diminish his background, mostly because I don't consider
the House to be very meaningful in terms of service.  But I am well aware
of Bush's record in Congress (including a controversial vote on a housing
rights act), and chose "statewide" very deliberately.

Now if you want to accuse me of deliberately choosing the word in order to
create a different *impression*, then I'm guilty.   I did that deliberately
in saying "statewide".  But what I object to from Bill is his
implication that I didn't know that George had been elected to Congress
from Texas.  I knew the fact, and in order to create the impression I
wanted, deliberately chose the *correct* word "statewide."

The father never won an election where the electorate was as large as
statewide or larger until he became President.  Therefore, "not even a
statewide office" is a very accurate description.  I pick words
carefully when arguing.  I may also choose to do so in a way where the
statement is true but not accurate (a great line from "Absence of
Malice.")

Rich

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