McCain calls hearing protesters "low-life scum"

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain referred to protesters who interrupted a national security hearing in Washington Thursday as "low-life scum" before having them ejected.

The group from the anti-war organization Code Pink began a disturbance at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing room as former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, 91, entered the room and approached the witness chair to offer testimony. They shouted "Arrest Henry Kissinger for war crimes" and held protest signs in opposition to Kissinger's role in the Vietnam War.

McCain, R-Ariz., called for the Capitol Police as Kissinger sat calmly, and as the protesters were removed from the room, McCain said, ""I've been a member of this committee for many years, and I've never seen anything as disgraceful and outrageous and despicable as the last demonstration," adding, "Get out of here, you low-life scum" to scattered applause.

A different group of protesters later interrupted the proceedings, causing former Secretary of State George Schultz, also there to testify, to stand and defend Kissinger, saying "I salute Henry Kissinger for his many contributions to peace and security" to a standing ovation. McCain later offered praise to Kissinger as well.