Posted on 08/07/2006 4:37:43 PM PDT by Coop
When the Rightroots effort began, it sounded like a great way to counter the KosKids/Nutroots incursions into key congressional races. One of the weaknesses of the Nutroots seemed to be picking candidates with their emotions rather than with their brains {if any}. Many of those Kos selected had no practical chance to win, so not only was the money raised a waste, but with each new defeat the project took on the air of windmill-tilting.
Then, when The Florida Masochist gave Rightroots his "Knucklehead of the Day" award, I began to worry. Diane Irey, opposing anti-war, anti-Marine John Murtha, is not only on the RR list, but has garnered the lioness' share of donations. The Florida Masochist pointed out that Murtha has won his district easily in recent elections, and the race isn't even considered a "race to watch" by any serious compilation of competitive seats.
Were we falling into the Kos "ego trap," and choosing candidates we merely hoped would win? Maybe not, thanks to Rep. Murtha.
As Bob Novak reports at Townhall, Murtha just can't keep his big fat foot out of his mouth. First, he declared the Marines accused of killing innocent civilians at Haditha guilty of war crimes before the investigation was fully engaged. NOW, after squad leader Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich sued Murtha for defamation of character, Murtha did it again:
Rep. John Murtha, responding Wednesday to a defamation lawsuit filed by a Marine accused of killing Iraqi civilians in 2005, mistakenly said Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich had been "charged in the incident at Haditha." In fact, no charges have been filed against anybody.
Murtha quickly issued a new press release Wednesday deleting "charged" and describing Wuterich as leader of "the squad accused of killing two dozen civilians."
With Murtha's continued help, Irey's chances can only improve. One suspects Murtha's easy reelections were in large part due to his military record. His open slandering of our men in harm's way can't help him, no matter how heavily Democratic his district may be.
The real "Knucklehead" is sitting in Congress - maybe not for long, if we all help.
Diana Irey is now over $7,000 on Rightroots, a new resource for conservative candidates.
Please FReepmail me if you'd like on or off the Irey/Murtha ping list.
Irey's total = $7,030.94, to be exact. But donations have slowed WAY down the past 3 or more days.
Jim Addison nailed the first part and the second part should read - he won't be for long because Mrs. Irey is receiving help from across the country.
I just got a nice letter from her campaign. She's got a crack team, that for sure. Swannie should take a few notes from Team Irey!
Prognosticators simply think voters are stupid...and they are definitely not stupid. They say Murtha has won by a gazillion votes everytime he has run. Well, maybe, but this is a different Murtha. For one thing voters know people get old and eventually become unfiut for office. They see this in their own families ad co-workers. Secondly the Murtha of old was a strong supporter of the military and all thought he was a solid veteran and war "hero". As folks take a fresh look at him they find he is slandering the military no less than Dennis Kucinich, Jacques sKerry, Michael Moore, or Jane Fonda. She he has left the voters, they aren;t leaving him.
Then they consider the fresh new face (Diana Irey), with ideas and programs for the 12th distrist. Someone who has served locolly for over 10 years in office, who knows the voters and their concerns. It is time for a fresh start. A change has to occur someday, and today is that time.
Yep, around here I darned sure do! :-) But it's really not FR that's been pushing that total. Rightroots is all over the conservative blog scene, and that E-mail from the RNC probably did the most for collecting money.
Several times the disgraceful EX-Marine ran unopposed, including in 2004. Now PA-12 voters have a real alternative to that sack of garbage.
Ping
Thanks for the ping.
You're welcome, and I finally remembered to add you to the list. :-} Sorry for the delay!
I got a nice letter, too. Diana Irey has built a first-class organization. She'll need it, of course, when she gets to Congress!
BTW, it would probably be more appropriate to call the French candidate Jean Kerry, unless you are trying to link him to Jacques Chirac.
No problem. Thanks again for adding me.
I got out my trusty Almanac of American Politics 2006 to read today. I was disenheartened when I saw the map of the distirct and saw both how little of Washington County (where Irey is commish) is in the district and how little of the district is in Washington County.
Just be glad how much Pittsburgh is NOT in District
BTTT
No biggie. That made name recognition a big challenge for her at one time. That's not a problem any longer. :-)
Her biggest liability right now, IMHO, is a significant gap in funds. Her biggest asset is Jack Murtha and his big, despicable mouth.
Bump
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