Murtha's Anti-War Role Could Imperil Him at Home

Human events Online ^ | Jun 28, 2006 | Robert Novak

[Patriot814]

Rep. John Murtha (D.-Pa.) appears to be suffering "Daschle-itis," a figurative disease which makes entrenched incumbents become national celebrities and, in the process, risk alienating the voters that put them in office.

Since seizing his party's anti-war mantle, Murtha has become a great draw for Democratic fundraisers, helping his party boost its prospects for a congressional takeover. Naturally, this helps his party-leadership bid as well.

But at the same time, his outspokenness made him a huge target for the Internet right. His district went for John Kerry with only 51% in 2004. What originally seemed like a long-shot bid by Diana Irey (R.) to unseat Murtha has taken on new credibility as she raises money from the Internet and as Murtha makes more and more outrageous statements.

Murtha's opposition to the war has never been the real issue. His assertion that the U.S. is the greatest danger to world peace is only the most recent and perhaps most striking example of his potentially dangerous venture into the great left. Even more offensive were his statements condemning Marines who allegedly participated in a massacre in Iraq, which gave no regard to the presumption of innocence or the existence of evidence (the Marines involved maintain their innocence).

In fact, by stating that he had high-level confirmation that a massacre occurred, Murtha may have set a trap for himself. As the court martial begins, he is likely to be subpoenaed in the pre-trial hearings to testify to allegations of inappropriate command influence on the trial. He risks having his high-level sources of information exposed, or exposed as flimsy -- or even non-existent.

Irey, who looks quite young, is a bit green, but her handlers see her as great raw material. She has scored a series of unopposed television appearances on Fox News that have helped her raise money, and her message could resonate in what has always been a conservative Democratic district. Murtha was previously known as a pro-life, pro-gun Democrat. He received biennial votes for speaker from Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), who, until this year, had refused to support any candidate for the position who was pro-choice on abortion. Leaning Democratic Retention.

[Cobra64]

You gave us your opinion and then asked the question.

[ElkGroveDan]

As for Murtha, he's just another in a long line of pennywise, pound-foolish idiots on the Democratic side that fall in love with the media spotlight and forget who put them in Congress in the first place

Not just Democrats.

[Vigilanteman]

[blake6900]

Not just Democrats.

Good point.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

anyone got poll numbers or know where I can go to view them?

[Paleo Conservative]

I sure wish Cindy Sheehan would go to Pennsylvania to fast/campaign for for Murtha.

[Cobra64]

Could they be sisters?

[smoothsailing]

Anybody got a picture of John Murtha on A HORSE?

[jazusamo]

Use a picture of any horse, he's the back half. :-)

[potlatch]

LOL, I'm laughing here!

[DakotaGator]

Does Murtha have any children?

I'm aware of a son and a daughter. Not sure if there are any more.

[gov_bean_ counter]

So I guess he hasn't always advocated a premature pullout.

[george76]

Here is the Murtha farm, but not horse...yet.

[DakotaGator]

hehehe...always good to hear the other boot drop ;-)

[Defiant]

Anybody got a picture of John Murtha on A HORSE?

I've heard there are some of him with a horse. The one he rode in on.

[potlatch]

This one seems appropriate for Murtha!

[Socratic]

Ah, yes. Emma can peel for me.

[Smartass]

LOL, looks like a Dinosaur-Horsey...fits him good!

The old hotdog Murtha may get voted out in this next election.
Diana Irey is closing in on him. Talk about putting a
dent in the Dems anti-war machine if she wins.

 

[potlatch]

Used the funniest one I could find, Mexican painting I think!

[devolve]