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Rep. Murtha: Pennsylvania's Embarassment
RealClearPolitics ^ | June 21, 2006 | By Jack Kelly

Posted on 06/21/2006 4:55:17 PM PDT by .cnI redruM

Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Pa), imagines himself to be the scourge of the hawks in the Bush administration. Many journalists do, too, because they keep inviting him to appear on talk shows.

So why were the targets of Mr. Murtha's wrath doubled over with laughter during his appearance last Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press?" Rep. Murtha's newfound fame is a product of his call for immediate withdrawal from Iraq, or in the dishonest way he likes to phrase it, "redeployment" from Iraq.

Host Tim Russert asked Mr. Murtha to respond to a question White House political guru Karl Rove had asked rhetorically in a recent speech.

"My question is, what country would take us?" Mr. Rove asked. "What country would say after the United States cut and run from Iraq, 'Yeah, paint a big target on our back and then you'll cut and run from us?'" "We can go to Okinawa," Rep. Murtha responded. "We can redeploy there almost instantly."

Mr. Russert, mindful of the fact that Okinawa, Japan, is 4,899 miles from Baghdad, offered Mr. Murtha an escape, in case he had misspoken. "But it would be tough to have a timely response from Okinawa," he said. But Rep. Murtha dug himself in deeper. "When I say a timely response, you know, our fighters can fly from Okinawa very quickly," he said.

Mr. Murtha has been recommending redeployment to Okinawa ever since his rebirth as a dove last year, so what he said on "Meet the Press" was no slip of the tongue.

Let us be clear about the Murtha "strategy." It is insane. It would be easier to defend Germany from Chicago; Alaska from Miami, or Hawaii from Pittsburgh than to defend Iraq from Okinawa.

It would take 10-12 hours -- and six refuelings -- for F-16s to fly from Kadena AFB on Okinawa to Baghdad (assuming China and India would grant overflight rights, a dubious assumption). Mr. Murtha may regard this as "very quickly," but the Air Force does not.

As Bugs Bunny would say: "What a maroon!"

Another howler is Mr. Murtha's assertion that U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq would be "welcomed" in Okinawa. For decades Okinawans have been seeking a reduction in the U.S. military presence, both because they covet the land on which U.S. military bases sit, and because of a long history of pacifism. The U.S. recently agreed to withdraw 7,000 Marines from Okinawa.

"There is no way we can win (the war in Iraq) militarily," Mr. Murtha said. Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the al Qaida chieftain in Iraq until the Air Force liquefied his internal organs, had a different view:

"Here in Iraq, time is beginning to be of service to the American forces and harmful to the resistance," Mr. Zarqawi wrote in a document captured after his death.

The Bush Administration has "no plan" for dealing with Iraq, Rep. Murtha asserted.

Mowaffak al Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, begs to differ. Writing in the Washington Post Tuesday, he said:

"There is an unofficial 'road map' to foreign troop reductions that eventually will lead to total withdrawal of U.S. troops. This road map is based not just on a series of dates but, more important, on achievement of set objectives for restoring security in Iraq."

If you want to know the truth about Iraq, you should listen carefully to what Jack Murtha has to say -- and believe exactly the opposite.

Mr. Murtha's howlers about Okinawa obscured a more revealing comment he made earlier on CNN. He cited President Clinton's abrupt withdrawal from Somalia after 19 Rangers were killed there in 1993 as an example of the policy the U.S. should follow in Iraq.

Osama bin Laden gave the "change in direction" in Somalia Mr. Murtha applauds as the chief reason why he thought al Qaida could strike the United States with impunity.

"After a few blows... (the U.S.) rushed out of Somalia in shame and disgrace, dragging the bodies of its soldiers," Mr. bin Laden told ABC's John Miller in a 1998 interview.

Because he is a retired Marine Reserve colonel who served in Vietnam, Rep. Murtha is regarded as one of the Democrats' leading strategic thinkers. This, sadly, may be the case.

Mr. Murtha sounds less like a Marine colonel these days, and more like a male Cindy Sheehan. Has he become senile? Or was he always this stupid?

In either case, voters in his district should take a close look at Diane Irey, the Republican who hopes to put an end to the embarrassment to Pennsylvania Jack Murtha has become.


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Pennsylvania; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: buffoon; cutnrun; durkadurkamurtha; idiot; iraq; moron; murtha; murthawatch; okinawa; seniledementia; traitor
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The voters of his district need to responsibly redeploy Jack Murtha to The Shadyvale Retirement Home.
1 posted on 06/21/2006 4:55:19 PM PDT by .cnI redruM
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To: .cnI redruM


Senile old fart,keep talking all the way to November you pathetic retard :-)


2 posted on 06/21/2006 4:58:41 PM PDT by Para-Ord.45
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To: Owl_Eagle; brityank; Physicist; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA; GOPJ; abner; baseballmom; Mo1; Ciexyz; ...

Redeploy Murtha ping


3 posted on 06/21/2006 5:02:46 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: .cnI redruM

How will Murtha reply to WMD's found in Iraq? These Libs are not hurting Bush, but bringing down their own party.


4 posted on 06/21/2006 5:03:27 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
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To: .cnI redruM
Murtha's district has to one of the most gerrymandered districts in the whole US.

http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/congdist/pagecgd109_pa3.pdf

Check out PA #12. (It's irregular mate supports a 'Pub)

5 posted on 06/21/2006 5:04:03 PM PDT by Paladin2 (If the political indictment's from Fitz, the jury always acquits.)
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To: .cnI redruM

Murtha is nothing more than an old gas bag who will be all out of hot air by November.

And I get a chance to use my tagline!


6 posted on 06/21/2006 5:04:20 PM PDT by JillValentine (May Murtha's safe district be as safe as Zarqawi's safe house.)
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To: .cnI redruM

Diana Irey in November!!


7 posted on 06/21/2006 5:06:15 PM PDT by PhillyRepublican
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To: JillValentine

The Marines are moving from Okinawa to Guam soon, anyway.


8 posted on 06/21/2006 5:06:30 PM PDT by aviator (Armored Pest Control)
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To: Paladin2

Rostenkowski's was similar in 1994.


9 posted on 06/21/2006 5:06:57 PM PDT by .cnI redruM (The last President from VA named George was good too! Allen in 2008!)
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To: .cnI redruM; Coop; smoothsailing

[The voters of his district need to responsibly redeploy Jack Murtha]

Exactly, and Diana Irey is going to do it in November. Good piece, thanks for the post

http://www.irey.com/

http://vets4irey.com/





10 posted on 06/21/2006 5:07:11 PM PDT by jazusamo (DIANA IREY for Congress, PA 12th District: Retire murtha.)
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To: Para-Ord.45

SOF ping!

;^)


11 posted on 06/21/2006 5:07:30 PM PDT by elcid1970
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To: fight_truth_decay

You could say he is a WMD - Weapon of Mouth Destruction :)


12 posted on 06/21/2006 5:08:04 PM PDT by .cnI redruM (The last President from VA named George was good too! Allen in 2008!)
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To: .cnI redruM

One question if this Jack Kelly, the brother of the late Princess Grace.


13 posted on 06/21/2006 5:08:29 PM PDT by mware (Americans in armchairs doing the job of the media.)
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To: .cnI redruM

Doddering old fool.


14 posted on 06/21/2006 5:10:58 PM PDT by veronica ("A person needs a sense of mission like the air he breathes...")
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To: JillValentine

He has been gien enough rope to hang an entire precinct....Hopefully the hangmen (voters) will do what must be done.....


15 posted on 06/21/2006 5:12:08 PM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: .cnI redruM

Sound the yellow-bellied pork-sucking Abscaming traitor alert: "Durka Durka Murtha!"


16 posted on 06/21/2006 5:12:22 PM PDT by Sisku Hanne (*Support DIANA IREY for US Congress!* Send "Cut-n-Run" Murtha packing: HIT THE ROAD, JACK!)
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To: Sisku Hanne
That's good.

Dirka, Dirka Murtha Jihad.

I can see the bumper stickers now.

17 posted on 06/21/2006 5:15:19 PM PDT by Paladin2 (If the political indictment's from Fitz, the jury always acquits.)
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To: Paladin2
Murtha's district has to one of the most gerrymandered districts in the whole US.

It was created that way (by the Republicans in the PA legislature) in order to shore up the next-door 18th District for Republicans.

The gerrymander will probably be the ONLY thing that saves Jackass Murtha this time around, assuming he even wins re-election. The 12th District prior to 2002 was far less Democratic than this one - G.W. Bush won the old 12th in 2000 and only narrowly lost the new 12th in 2004. Under the old lines, Kerry wouldn't have come close.

18 posted on 06/21/2006 5:16:52 PM PDT by PermaRag
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To: .cnI redruM

What's with all the historic losers who have materialized out of the Marine Corps--e.g., John Murtha, James Carville, John Glen, Lee Harvey Oswald?


19 posted on 06/21/2006 5:19:58 PM PDT by PeoplesRepublicOfWashington (No More White House Dynasties! Two Adamses and two Bushes are enough. No more Clintons or Bushes!)
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To: .cnI redruM

Murtha is a national embarassmemt . . .


20 posted on 06/21/2006 5:20:20 PM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( I.S.L.A.M. stands for - Islams Spiritual Leaders Advocate Murder .. .. .. ))
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To: .cnI redruM
Another howler is Mr. Murtha's assertion that U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq would be "welcomed" in Okinawa.

I was in Okinawa the other day and I stayed on base the whole time because I know how much the locals hate us. In fact, the air station at Futema is being relocated to Guam because the locals want us out of there. Murtha is a joke and the Rats don't even realize it.

21 posted on 06/21/2006 5:21:37 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (Everyone should have a subject they are ignorant about. I choose professional corporate sports.)
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To: fight_truth_decay

First: Are you people blind and deaf or just a bunch of idiots!!!!! Do you see what is really going on here!!
Bush is not a conservative!!! And anyone who supports him is supporting a WAR CRIMINAL and a TRAIDOR to our country!!! 911 has nothing to do with IRAQ!!!! Check the facts! Second: Murtha is a Republican you retard!! Third: There are NO WMD!!! That has been proven to be a fabrication a by Bush and Cheney! Murtha was a hero who fought for our country and ANYONE who will do that for there country should be honored for their and their families sacrifice.

Bush does not care about our troops. All he cares about is money!! How much evidence do you need? Our troops should be in Afghanistan and Pakistan looking for Osama! When was the last time you heard Bush say he is looking for the man who was suppose to be responsible for attacking and killing Americans on American soil. Bush says he doesn't spend that much time on it. THF is that all about. Us being in Iraq has nothing to do with terrorism, it has to do with oil and power.
If he really cared they would have sent in enough troops to begin with, secure the country and go about restoring it. Instead we have chaos killing of our soldier and civilians. NO power or water even for our troops.
Halliburton stock has gone up 600% Police and education in our own country is being cut and we have a dept that is bigger than any other dept we have had put together!! Who is making the real sacrifices not Bush or his cronies! It’s the American people and Bush is trying to get rid of the biggest part of American
the middle class.

I’m sorry to call anyone names I just think a lot of people are talking about things without checking the facts. For some reason people want to go against their own best interest and the interest of the people. Look at who the real terrorists are they are the lying GOP who cares more about stupid issues like gay marriage and flag burning then about the lives of our soldiers and what is really best for our country.


22 posted on 06/21/2006 5:33:58 PM PDT by the real truth 2001 (WAR CRIMINAL and a TRAIDOR to our country!!!)
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To: the real truth 2001

Fresh Kitty Food?


23 posted on 06/21/2006 5:36:23 PM PDT by Paladin2 (If the political indictment's from Fitz, the jury always acquits.)
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To: the real truth 2001

TRAIDOR ZOT!


24 posted on 06/21/2006 5:37:59 PM PDT by OSHA (If Jesus wants to work at Six Flags, he will have to cut his hair too.)
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We need to TRAID you for a real American who can think about things other than Halliburton.


25 posted on 06/21/2006 5:39:59 PM PDT by Paladin2 (If the political indictment's from Fitz, the jury always acquits.)
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To: .cnI redruM
You could say he is a WMD - Weapon of Mouth Destruction :)

You could say he is a WMD - Weapon of Mouth Diarrhea :)

26 posted on 06/21/2006 5:42:48 PM PDT by MrEdd (I would have gotten away with it too - if it weren't for those meddling kids and their stupid dog.)
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To: .cnI redruM

Diana Irey for Congress bump-it-up!


27 posted on 06/21/2006 5:43:30 PM PDT by RedRover
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To: the real truth 2001
NO power or water even for our troops.

Dang, three years without water. Our troops are even tougher than I thought!!

28 posted on 06/21/2006 5:44:28 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: OSHA

HEY! Moderator! Put that post back up there!

I LMAO! Either that was a sane man doing an excellent imitation of an idiot or it was an EXCEPTIONAL idiot. Either way, it was good reading and I got a kick out of it!


29 posted on 06/21/2006 5:44:53 PM PDT by OkiMusashi (Beware the fury of a patient man. --- John Dryden)
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To: PeoplesRepublicOfWashington
Castro's pal Ron Dellums-who the Dhimmicrats made the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee for God's sake from 1992-94.
30 posted on 06/21/2006 5:46:01 PM PDT by 91B (God made man, Sam Colt made men equal)
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To: OSHA; Paladin2

The turd was flushed.


31 posted on 06/21/2006 5:46:46 PM PDT by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: ncountylee

We have a "Floater".


32 posted on 06/21/2006 5:47:36 PM PDT by OkiMusashi (Beware the fury of a patient man. --- John Dryden)
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To: the real truth 2001

How's life in mommy's basement?


33 posted on 06/21/2006 5:47:48 PM PDT by RedRover
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To: .cnI redruM

bttt


34 posted on 06/21/2006 5:48:29 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: OkiMusashi

I stashed a copy in case they didn't put it back. It would be worth a Mod scolding to repost it for everyones enjoyment.


35 posted on 06/21/2006 5:48:50 PM PDT by OSHA (If Jesus wants to work at Six Flags, he will have to cut his hair too.)
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To: the real truth 2001
Check the facts! Second: Murtha is a Republican you retard!!

Geez-we don't get the high quality trolls like we used to.

36 posted on 06/21/2006 5:48:51 PM PDT by 91B (God made man, Sam Colt made men equal)
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To: the real truth 2001

ZOT!


37 posted on 06/21/2006 5:49:58 PM PDT by freedumb2003 (The Left created, embraces and feeds "The Culture of Hate." Make it part of the political lexicon!)
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To: the real truth 2001

Spell check is your friend, but even spell check can't help with what's wrong with you.


38 posted on 06/21/2006 5:50:33 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: the real truth 2001

Jack? Jack Murtha, that you? Hold on buddy. The FR LIVE interview doesn't start until next week.


39 posted on 06/21/2006 5:50:35 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
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To: the real truth 2001

BYe Bye Troll


40 posted on 06/21/2006 5:50:45 PM PDT by freedumb2003 (The Left created, embraces and feeds "The Culture of Hate." Make it part of the political lexicon!)
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To: Jim Robinson

lol!!!


41 posted on 06/21/2006 5:51:01 PM PDT by freedumb2003 (The Left created, embraces and feeds "The Culture of Hate." Make it part of the political lexicon!)
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To: the real truth 2001

"TRAIDOR"?

Perhaps you meant "trader"?

You cannot spell. You cannot read. You are to be ridiculed.


42 posted on 06/21/2006 5:53:33 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: the real truth 2001

"was suppose to be"


What is wrong with this?

I bet you think it is perfectly correct.


43 posted on 06/21/2006 5:55:31 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: fight_truth_decay
"How will Murtha reply to WMD's found in Iraq? These Libs are not hurting Bush, but bringing down their own party."

Just how will the liberals respond to the WMD's. They are waking up with a giant foot in their mouth.
This is just the beginning, time will come when loads of WMD's are found.

Poor, foolish dems.
44 posted on 06/21/2006 5:56:51 PM PDT by fabriclady
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To: the real truth 2001
... education in our own country is being cut ...

Judging by the rest of your post, it’s hard to deny that point.

45 posted on 06/21/2006 5:57:18 PM PDT by dighton
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To: the real truth 2001

"dept"

I am certain you meant depth.


46 posted on 06/21/2006 5:57:37 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: .cnI redruM

Okinawa?! Isn't there somebody in this guy's family who can intervene on his behalf?


47 posted on 06/21/2006 5:58:14 PM PDT by kcar
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To: .cnI redruM

bttt


48 posted on 06/21/2006 5:58:35 PM PDT by ShowMeMom (America: The home of the FREE because of the BRAVE.)
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To: PhillyRepublican

I posted earlier (two weeks ago) that i was sitting in the bar at the imperial palace casino in biloxi, mississippi with a friend having a drink (after losing my a55 on slots) when three young guys came walking in. they sat down by us and introduced themselves (first names only). turns out they'd just come back from ramadi, iraq and were out-processing at camp shelby. they were with the penn national guard. we started talking and the friend i was with asked how they felt about the MSM and democrats. they started trashing both and I said, well I can't stand that aa55hole jack murtha. turns out the one guy was murtha's nephew. AND he can't stand him anymore than most of us.....said he's a crook and he cannot stand him!!!! interesting evening!


49 posted on 06/21/2006 6:00:56 PM PDT by BamaDi (Taylor Hicks - AMERICAN IDOL!!!!)
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To: nopardons
So much for the Semper Fi of the Marine Corps, eh?...!

murtha is making lots of enemies.

50 posted on 06/21/2006 6:03:20 PM PDT by Constitution1st (Never, never, never quit - Winston Churchill)
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