Longtime Supporters No Longer Cheering (Murtha)

The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, PA) | 09/03/2006 | Owen R. Hofecker, Jr.

[Siouxz]

I attended the annual Conemaugh Valley Friends of the NRA banquet in Johnstown. This fundraiser supports local youth hunting and shooting programs.

This year, the event was very interesting. Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey, candidate for Congress, and John Hugya, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. John Murtha, attended.

Both Irey and Murtha are longtime Second Amendment advocates.

The especialy (sic) interesting part? Attendees cheered every time Irey's name was mentioned and booed every time Murtha's name was mentioned.

While I thought it poor taste that Murtha was booed, it begs the question: Why?

Why would men and women who in the past always cheered our local congressman turn so vocal against him?

I believe it's because he has moved too far to the left in his quest for polital gain and no longer represents the views of most of his constituents.

While I disagree with his recent comments on Iraq, I think he's made a brilliant political move. The very worst that could happen is that he loses the election and retires a rich man.

If what happened at that banquet is any indication, and I think it is, Murtha is in trouble. He has alienated his constituents and is vulnerable in this election.

While I applaud all the good things he has done for our area, and greatly respect his military service, perhaps it is time for a change.

Owen R. Hofecker, Jr.
Johnstown, retired Army captain.

[Siouxz]

This editorial was in our local Johnstown newspaper on Sunday. There was also another negative editorial about Murtha (no positive editorials). If I have time later, I'll post that as well. Any typos in the article are my own.

[Ward_Republican]

Good, w3e need to get rid of his worhtles butt.

[gate2wire]

"While I thought it poor taste that Murtha was booed..."
I agree...so why am I smiling? :-)

[Admin Moderator]

What is the link for this editorial?

[ChadGore]

[ChadGore]

This it?

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/

[advance_copy]

Both Irey and Murtha are longtime Second Amendment advocates.

But only Irey's party, the GOP, is going to protect the Second Amendment. If you vote Democrat, you are voting for gun grabbing, period. Murtha will vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. Pelosi is a gun grabber. Irey will vote for Dennis Hastert for Speaker. Speaker Hastert uses his authority to stop the gun-grabbing bills.

[SoftballMominVA]

It's certainly interesting that there are no polls out there. Irey doesn't have the need for one--she knows she has to run as if she is within the margin of error at all times and campaign with all she has. Murtha would benefit if he could show a poll with him solidly in the lead and Irey far behind.

Since nothing has been released, it makes me think Irey is in his rear view mirror with the phrase "objects are closer than they seem" underneath her name.

[EGPWS]

I believe it's because he has moved too far to the left in his quest for polital gain and no longer represents the views of most of his constituents.

Pegged to a tee!

Push an agenda so much that eventually one is so used to it that it is no longer shocking and get constituents to follow your agenda instead of representing your constituents.

The democrat way.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for posting. This isn't a poll but it's a pretty good indicator of Mrs. Irey's efforts to reach the people.

[Khepera]

I think this is and overly positive negative piece. I wish it was more negative because it should be. Its way too positive.

[donozark]

If Mullah Murhta is such a strong advocate of the Second Amendment, why then does he rate a C- from GOA?

[GretchenM]

fyi

[Coop]

Thanks for posting, Siouxz. IPW, looks like an excellent addition for the Boot Murtha page.

Siouxz, I hope you and others will be joining us for the rally on October 1st. Please register at the Boot Murtha website: www.bootmurtha.com

[Siouxz]

This was in print. I'm not aware of any online link.

[Gritty]

[Coop]

Good, w3e need to get rid of his worhtles butt.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you'll actively join in our efforts to do just that.

[technomage]

Welcome to the forum. I hope you'll actively join in our efforts to do just that.

And learn to spell. :0

[Lazamataz]

Good, w3e need to get rid of his worhtles butt.

Not ALL typos are yours, Siouxz. ;^)

[W04Man]

THANK YOU THANK THANK YOU THANK YOU!

[W04Man]

This sums it up!

http://Vets4Irey.com

[W04Man]

And just the think, HE'S NOT YET ON THE VETS4IREY.COM LIST! there are more out there in the 12th District!!!

[AndyJackson]

Real men don't spel chek.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping!

We don't need no steekin convolutin poll (spit) to know our Diana is gaining ground. ;*)

[jazusamo]

BTTT

[Eagles Talon IV]

Hey Coop, how about the polls?

[Eagles Talon IV]

dam rite they dont

[freema]

Retired Army editorializes Diana Irey cheers and murtha boos at Johnstown NRA banquet. murtha, of course, was in cut and run mode, as usual.

[Coop]

Hey Coop, how about the polls?

I agree!

[EQAndyBuzz]

"While I thought it poor taste that Murtha was booed, it begs the question: Why? "

Because the NRA and its members are true American patriots and Murtha isn't.

I think that would sum up the why.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"It's certainly interesting that there are no polls out there."

The MSM and the DNC are trying to get Murtha in under the radar. Any polls or debates places Murtha squarely in the line of fire.

This is how Marxists operate.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

While I disagree with his recent comments on Iraq, I think he's made a brilliant political move. The very worst that could happen is that he loses the election and retires a rich man.

Yes siree....a great and noble statesman....just you're humble servant doing what he can for the good of his country...yes siree...Thanks Owen R. Hofecker, Jr. and Johnstown voters.

[phillyfanatic]

Look, Benedict Arnold was a hero before the Amer. REV. I admire his work as a military strategist. But, during the Rev., he betrayed the nation and frankly any boos would have been deserved. Murtha has been at the fair too long and deserves retirement.

[USS Alaska]

The NRA has endorsed Irey. As a member, I'm all for it and am going to Johnstown on October 1 to support her.

[AFPhys]

Good Luck, Diana Irey.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Here's hoping Murtha will be SWIFTBOATED out of Congress.

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHA!

[gate2wire]

I was kidding. Hence the "smiling" part. The guy's a traitor and we should do more than boo.

[Eagles Talon IV]

"I agree!

How could you not?

[W04Man]

Isn't it strange how the Trib-Dem doesn't post any letters to the editor on their web site?

[RaceBannon]

I heard through he grapevine that his military service is in question, and those questions maybe raised soon enough!

[Clintonfatigued]

This is more good news. The article is not from inside the beltway but from the grass roots itself.

[Clintonfatigued]

Diana Irey ping

[jazusamo]

The article is not from inside the beltway but from the grass roots itself.

Exactly, and it sounds like many of these people supported Murtha in the past.

[Coop]

The NRA has endorsed Irey. As a member, I'm all for it and am going to Johnstown on October 1 to support her.

Outstanding! Please register here for the rally, if you haven't already. Cheers!

[Coop]

I heard through he grapevine that his military service is in question, and those questions maybe raised soon enough!

I'll say it again. There's just no reason to look into the sleazeball's military record. His despicable behavior today is more than reason enough to redeploy and retire the jerk. IMHO going after his medals carries much more risk of backfiring than succeeding.

[IPWGOP]

Thanks, got it on BootMurtha.com now...

[GBA]

Wow! I sent her money to beat Murtha, but didn't realize she is so attractive. Murtha doesn't stand a chance.

[Coop]

Bump

[Eagle74]

"Good, w3e need to get rid of his worhtles butt."

Spell Check, the posting page has a spell button for those of us who are spelling challenged.

[Marine_Uncle]

The boos are fine, but it is all the little old ladies and men that vote a straight ticket and all the folks that have benifited from his years of service, that I am worried about. They probably see nothing wrong in him. They don't have any clues as to what has pulled off. He probably is a wonderful guy in their eyes. We have to remember, the masses do not get a fair balanced story on anything let alone info that effects demorats in general.