Sheehan criticizes Bush, doesn't spare Democrats

Before an enthusiastic Seattle audience, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan ripped into President Bush, describing him as a "maniac," "the biggest recruiter for al-Qaida ever" and a "bigger terrorist than Osama bin Laden ever thought he would be."

But Sheehan, who lost her soldier son in Iraq, didn't have kind words for congressional Democrats, either.

Speaking at Town Hall, Sheehan's visit is part of a series of anti-war demonstrations planned around Mother's Day, including a protest at a Central Area recruitment station and a parade through Columbia City this weekend. The events are organized by Mothers Day Original Movement Against the War and CODEPINK, a group opposed to the Iraq war.

This is the second time Sheehan has been in Seattle. The first was two years ago, when she traveled to Fort Lewis to meet with Bush, who held a closed-door gathering with military families.

Though an opponent of the war at the time, Sheehan initially described the president as "a man of faith." She later became involved in the fledgling peace movement and gained national attention last August when she kept a vigil outside Bush's Texas ranch.

As she took the lectern Monday, Sheehan noted that she saw a handful of people carrying signs that read "Cindy Shame on You" and "Cindy Lies, Our Troops Die."

Donna Watts was one of those outside. "It's very important that people understand that not everyone in the Seattle area is against the war and against the troops," she said.

Sheehan, citing polls that show dwindling support for the war, lambasted her detractors: "We are not the fringe. We are not the lunatics. They are. We are mainstream America."

While Sheehan lauded Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott of Seattle — she attended a fundraising dinner for him Sunday — she said there wasn't much difference between the major parties.

"We all want Democrats to take the House back in November, but I'm just thinking I don't know how much difference that will make. If it looks like a Republican, smells like a Republican, votes like a Republican, call yourself a Republican for God's sake," Sheehan said.

Her position on Iraq is unequivocal: The U.S. should withdraw troops immediately, close all bases in Iraq and turn peacekeeping over to an unarmed Arab force. "We are the problem. When we leave, problem solved," she said.

During a question-and-answer session with audience members, Sheehan engaged in a testy exchange with a man who said he disagreed with her and asked whether she considered the insurgents in Iraq to be freedom fighters.

"The people in Iraq have a right to resist an occupation," she said to applause. "I wish they didn't, otherwise my son wouldn't be dead."

Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124