DENVER — Sen. Mark Udall, Colorado Democrat, apologized Monday after saying that two U.S. journalists beheaded by Islamic State terrorists would not have wanted Americans to be “impulsive” in their reaction.
Mr. Udall’s comment, which drew heated criticism Monday on social media and from Republicans, came during a non-televised Senate debate with Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, sponsored by Club 20 in Grand Junction.
“I can tell you that Steve Sotloff and James Foley would tell us, ’Don’t be impulsive,’” Mr. Udall said at the debate. “Horrible and barbarous as those executions were, don’t be impulsive, come up with a plan to knock ISIL back.”
Video of the debate shows the reaction from the crowd was immediate.
“Groans could be heard from the Club 20 audience in Grand Junction as Udall suggested the journalists would back his position” on Islamic State terrorism, said a Monday report on KUSA-TV. “Others in the audience applauded when his remarks concluded.”
After the comment was reported by National Review Online, Mr. Udall issued a statement saying, “When addressing ISIL during this weekend’s debate, I should not have invoked the names of James Foley and Steven Sotloff.”
“It was inappropriate and I sincerely apologize,” said Mr. Udall, who’s seeking reelection to a second term.
Mr. Gardner called the senator’s initial comment “outrageous” and admonished him for putting “words in the mouths of dead Americans.”
“Americans have watched in horror in recent weeks as two of our fellow countrymen have been brutally executed by terrorists, and it’s outrageous that Senator Udall would put words into the mouths of dead Americans,” said Mr. Gardner in a statement. “Furthermore, it’s deeply troubling that he views a terrorist organization like ISIL as not an imminent threat to America.”
During the debate, Mr. Udall, who sits on the Senate Armed Services and Select Intelligence committees, also stated that, “I said last week that ISIL does not present an imminent threat to this nation and it doesn’t,” according to a transcript from the Colorado Republican Party.
Mr. Udall toughened up that message a few notches in his Monday statement.
“My intent was to emphasize the importance of taking the right next steps as we confront this serious threat,” Mr. Udall said. “It is critically important for the United States, our allies and countries in the region to beat back ISIL.”
He continued, “These terrorists are a serious threat to U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East, and Americans are counting on their leaders to get this right. I will continue to push the Administration and demand that our country’s approach is both tough and smart.”
Colorado Republican Party chair Ryan Call said Monday, “It is disturbing and even dangerous of Sen. Udall to think ISIS does not pose a threat to our nation.”
“ISIS is raising $3 million a day, hundreds of its members have passports that allow them to enter and move about the United States freely, and they have even posted threatening pictures in front of the White House,” Mr. Call said in a statement. “Despite this, Mark Udall does not believe ISIS is an immediate threat to our nation.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.