Defense Official Contradicts Murtha Claim that Petraeus Didn't 'Talk to Any of Us'

CNS News ^ | May 3, 2007 | Mark Finkelstein

[Kaslin]

(CNSNews.com) - Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) this week criticized Gen. David Petraeus for not meeting with members of Congress during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., to report on the status of operations in Iraq, but not only did the commander of Multinational Force - Iraq meet with hundreds of lawmakers, he personally briefed Murtha himself.

Murtha told MSNBC's Chris Matthews on Tuesday, "They bring Petraeus back - purely political move. Petraeus comes back here. He doesn't talk to any of us. He only talks to the news media and so forth trying to sell this program."

But a senior Defense Department official told Cybercast News Service that Petraeus personally briefed Murtha and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in an April 24 phone conference that lasted 20-30 minutes.

The following day, Petraeus conducted two 90-minute, top-secret level operations intelligence briefings for representatives and senators.

The first, to which all members of the House of Representatives had been invited, was attended by 250 congressmen, and the second was attended by 86 senators. After brief opening statements at the two briefings, Petraeus spent the remaining time answering questions from the congressmen in attendance.

"These were two of the most widely attended operations intelligence briefings in recent memory," the Pentagon official said.

The official also disputed Murtha's claim that Petraeus' briefings were a "purely political move."

"Members of the military are inherently non-political. Moreover, General Petraeus was unanimously confirmed by this Senate. He is their man, reporting to them on operations in Iraq. There is nothing political about that," the official said.

Attempts to obtain reaction from Murtha's office Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.

Roll Call reported on April 18 that Pelosi had initially declined the Pentagon's request to arrange a meeting for Petraeus with members of the House.

"According to an administration official, Pelosi and Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) initially declined recent requests from the Defense Department to schedule a briefing ... panel aides said they were 'too busy' to schedule a meeting next week, the administration official said. A second attempt to set up a briefing with the Speaker's office was likewise declined," the newspaper reported.

House Minority Leader John Boehner [R-Ohio] criticized Pelosi's reluctance to meet in person with Petraeus.

The Washington Times on April 26 quoted Boehner as saying that Pelosi had met with President Bashar Assad of Syria - designated a state sponsor of terror by the State Department - but that she "somehow can't find the time to meet with the American general in charge of our troops fighting the global war on terror."

[Kaslin]

[freema]

Using Pace to further his agenda.
Using Patraeus to further his agenda.
Unsing United States Marines to further his agenda.

[RedRover]

Murtha has a habit of lying about briefings.

Back on May 17, 2006 (the day Murtha-focker said Marines killed “innocent civilians in cold blood”), Murtha claimed General Hagee had briefed him about Haditha.

We later learned that General Hagee did brief Murtha—but not until May 24. And Murtha finally admitted that the general did not use the phrase “in cold blood”.

[Marine_Uncle]

And one of these days, the demorats will get so pissed off at his stupidity and lies that they will plot to have him silenced.
All it will take is enough counter punches on a few TV shows that show him as deliberatly lying for them to finally decide is is hurting their chances for 2008.

[Roadrunner52]

Wonder how Murtha can explain how PELOSI goes to SYRIA and comes back with an anti-war anti-troop bill? PELOSI listening to SYRIA and not the US Public?

You are correct MURTHA is a liar. Would love Golden Eagles group to show up at his office with White flags with a red circle and a line through it, representing NO SURRENDER.

MURTHA isn’t worth our time..........

[Roadrunner52]

I would also like to ask if anyone noticed that PELOSI stiffed General Patreas last week. Meets with Pres. ASSAD but won’t meet with General Patreas?

[bray]

Anyone who doesn’t know Turda is the most corrupt man in DC has not been paying attention.

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[desherwood7]

Murtha lied. Did anybody actually think that Chris Matthews would call Murtha up on it?

[Kaslin]

Are you kidding?

[desherwood7]

I knew that. Just wondering if anybody else did.