Democrats turn from policy to prayer after learning of shuttle crash
FARMINGTON – U.S. House Democratic leaders replaced their intended message on the security and prosperity of the nation with a pledge to pray after hearing Saturday morning news reports that the space shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas. The Associated Press relayed the early reports to staff members of the House Democratic Caucus just before a 9:30 a.m. press conference at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa, where the minority party legislators conducted their annual retreat. Saturday was the last day of the three-day issues conference, which focussed this year on the nation’s security and economy.
“We are deeply disturbed and moved by the breaking news, of the potentially tragic news, of the Columbia space shuttle,” said U.S. Rep. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
Standing grim-faced at a podium in the resort’s Golden Trout Restaurant and flanked by several of his colleagues who had planned to speak to the media, Menendez said faith is an important element of the Democratic caucus and that the members would include prayer in each session of the rest of the retreat. In fact, the retreat adjourned early with no further comments from the legislators.
“We had intended to come to this press conference with our message about security and prosperity for America’s future,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Pelosi said the members’ thoughts and prayers were with the families of those on board the space shuttle as well as with the American people, “who place so much hope and who associate themselves with the courage and the bravery of those who venture into space.”
She said the 150 representatives gathered for the retreat represented record participation from among the 200 Democrats in the House. She said the caucus conducted its business with seriousness and wanted to talk about the issues, but such discussion would have to wait.
“We thought that matters we were dealing with were of the greatest seriousness, but it isn’t of the greatest urgency for us to discuss them right now. What is urgent is that we retire to the room with our colleagues to lead them in prayer,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi acknowledged U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) for inviting the caucus to Nemacolin Woodlands.
Murtha was present for the retreat but did not attend the press conference. Gov. Ed Rendell spoke to the caucus members at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
House Democratic Caucus communications director Andrew Kauders said the rest of the agenda for the day was subject to change. Asked by the handful of print and television reporters present whether the press conference could be delayed, Kauders eventually confirmed the opportunity was canceled.
“They are saying the leadership doesn’t really want to say anything,” he said. “They are really trying to digest this.”
Kauders said ranking party members discussed various issues at a committee level during the retreat, but he offered no details at that time on those discussions or the speeches by special guests that included former President Bill Clinton, who visited the resort on the first day of the retreat Thursday.
Security was an obvious part of the event for the sake of the legislators, said Kauders.
U.S. Capitol Police kept a close watch on visitors, stopping vehicles at the resort’s main entrance to check for identification. The Capitol K-9 Unit served as a second stop with a dog and officer circling vehicles before they could proceed to the Chateau Lafayette to meet escorts.
Nemacolin spokeswoman Susan McCarthy said resort security assisted the federal officers in securing the area throughout the three days.
She said the main part of the resort was closed to the public during the retreat, although she said the spa and other attractions remained open.
McCarthy said Nemacolin Woodlands owner Joe Hardy stopped by the retreat but did not have a chance to talk to Clinton.
She said it takes a lot of planning to host an event like the Democratic Caucus issues conference.
“We had about a year to get ready with site inspections and meetings, like any other group does,” she said.
This was the third time the House Democratic leaders chose Nemacolin Woodlands for their retreat. McCarthy said she did not yet have notice of whether the event would be held there again next year.