Weigel

GOP Congressman on Shutdown: “We’re Not French. We Don’t Surrender.’

Pet Sessions is Texan, not French.

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The #occupation of the World War II Memorial by heroic congressmen continues to be a source of quality pandering. One videographer was on hand when Texas Rep. Pete Sessions (who as 2010 NRCC chairman did a lot to create the House majority) visited the memorial and responded to a heckler. Mercifully, about halfway through, the videographer realized that vertical phone videos are a menace, and turned the camera the right way, just in time for this exchange.

HECKLER: A clean resolution—if it passes, it will pass.

SESSIONS: Look. We’re not French. We don’t surrender.

HECKLER: Surrender what? You created the fight!

This is only the third time a World War II metaphor has been applied to the crisis, but it is the first time someone besides Ted Cruz went there.