The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is Montana Senator Conrad Burns. He gets the award for the following.

HELENA, Mont. - Sen. Conrad Burns (news, bio, voting record)' recent verbal attack on a firefighting team for its work on a Montana blaze angered some firefighters, drew harsh criticism in state newspapers and has left the three-term Republican scrambling to repair the political damage.

Burns, one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the fall elections, confronted members of a firefighting team at the Billings airport on July 23 and told them they had done a "piss-poor job," according to an official state report and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Hotshot crew had traveled 2,000 miles from Staunton, Va., to help dig fire lines for about a week around a 143-square-mile wildfire east of Billings.

The crew was awaiting flights home when Burns made his comments. The senator, who has a house in Billings, said he was expressing the frustration of ranchers who were critical of the way the fire was handled. He later apologized for his harsh remarks.

The report by the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation said Burns pointed to one firefighter and said, "See that guy over there? He hasn't done a g-- damned thing." The Forest Service dispatch log said, "Conrad Burns at BIL airport verbally attacking Augusta IHC crewmember."

The first word that comes to my mind is ingrate. Burns should have been thankful, instead he was an idiot who has given his opponent ammunition for the upcoming election. Like most politicians in DC, Burns is out of touch. Its probably time to send him home. For attacking instead of thanking the hard and dangerous work of firefighters, Senator Conrad Burns is our knucklehead of the day.

Note- I may give out a few knucklehead awards today. Stay tuned.
Hat tip- James Joyner at OTB
Open Post- Jo's Cafe, Bright & Early, Samantha Burns, Cao's Blog, Third World County, Basil's Blog, Right Wing Nation, Mudville Gazette,