Why did Democrat Ike Skelton refuse to swear in Gen. Petraeus?

Question

Isn't it normal protocol to testify to Congress under oath?

Answer 1

Ike Skelton, who has been able to shake off numerous charges of drunk driving despite injuring himself in a one-vehicle accident in his home state of Missouri, is not to be blamed for this (just as he is not to be blamed for his "incidents" where people thought he was driving drunk).

It's really not his fault. It was merely from disappointment. He thought he was supposed to swear AT General Patraeus, not swear IN General Patraeus.

Answer 2

I didn't see him refuse to swear in General Petraeus, but I did catch his preliminary speech to Petraeus and the audience, where he accused (before he even bothered to hear the General or read his report) the general of bringing a "report" that would favor Bush and laud administration talking points, and that he was going "patiently" hear this and make Petraeus account for this. He and Lantos accused Petraeus of lying before Congress before they even heard his testimony.

Ike Skelton is a joke who needs a lot of help governing his committee. Rep. Burton pointed out to Lantos protesters with signs and T-shirts in the audience whose intention was obviously to heckle the general, but Skelton would not remove them until they stood up and tried to throw off the general. By throwing off Burton, Skelton allowed the protesters to do this and create chaos in the House. Skelton did not even bother to make sure Petraeus' microphone worked. Skelton's and Lantos' committees were never interested in hearing a progress report. They were trying to intimidate Petraeus and demean him as a successful commander of boots on the ground.