Murtha Statement on Iraq War Draws Fire

AP ^ | 05/06/04 | JIM ABRAMS

[Pikamax]

Murtha Statement on Iraq War Draws Fire

Thursday May 6, 2004 6:31 PM

By JIM ABRAMS

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A statement from a pro-defense Democrat that the Pentagon's current military strategy in Iraq made the war unwinnable drew a sharp rebuke Thursday from Republicans, who accused Democrats of using the war for political gain.

The furor over the position taken by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a decorated Vietnam War veteran and top Democrat on the House Appropriations defense panel, highlighted the increasingly partisan divide over the current course and future of the war in Iraq.

``We cannot prevail in this war as it is going today,'' Murtha said Thursday at a news conference with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Murtha said the incidents of prison abuse in Iraq were a symptom of a problem where U.S. troops in Iraq are undermanned, inadequately equipped and poorly trained.

``We either have to mobilize or we have to get out,'' Murtha said, adding that he supported increasing U.S. troop strength rather than pulling out.

Republicans responded at their own news conference, with Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, saying that ``this morning, in a calculated and craven political stunt, the national Democratic Party declared its surrender in the war on terror.''

He said Democrats ``want to win the White House more than they want to win the war, and our enemies know it.''

Democrats, said Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, ``basically are giving aid and comfort to the enemy.''

Murtha, a strong supporter of robust defense spending, denied that he was criticizing the troops. ``I know what affects them. They want to be taken care of and they're not being taken care of.''

[prion]

Whoa, Mister Delay! Way to stick it to 'em good!

[The South Texan]

Democrats, said Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, ``basically are giving aid and comfort to the enemy.''


This is the whole M.O. of the Today's Democrat party. Sad, but very true.

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

I'm not quite sure whether to be outraged or to encourage the left to keep it up. Those who are fooled that these people are normal need something to wake them up.

[meenie]

Wishful thinkiing does not win wars. Thinking does. So far there has been more wishing and damned little thinking. You either get in or you get out. The decision has to be made George.

[KillBill]

"adding that he [Murtha] supported increasing U.S. troop strength rather than pulling out." - How is this giving aid and comfort to the enemy?