Posted on 11/18/2005 6:23:03 AM PST by conservativecorner
Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) is actively lobbying Democratic National Committee (DNC) delegates to select former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean as their next chairman.
The endorsement of the leading antiwar presidential candidate by one of the Democrats’ most prominent early supporters of the Iraq invasion signals a rehabilitation of Dean’s image in the House and greatly increases his prospects of leading the party, many Democratic lawmakers and aides said. patrick g. ryan Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) is writing letters in support of Howard Dean.
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Several lawmakers said support by the hardscrabble, old-school Vietnam veteran, who endorsed former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) in the presidential primaries, would compel the DNC to take a second look at the firebrand governor and not simply write him off as an extreme avatar of the party’s antiwar wing.
At Dean’s request, Murtha wrote to Pennsylvania’s seven delegates to the DNC last week explaining why he is endorsing a candidate with whom he shares so few positions.
“I am not with him on all the issues, but he understands the party’s problems, what we need to do and how to get there,” said Murtha. “And he has executive experience. … A lot of people in the party don’t understand just where we are. We need a change. We need something different.”
One senior lawmaker, who asked not to be named in order to speak more candidly about internal party matters, said his colleagues would be shocked to hear of Murtha’s support for Dean. The lawmaker added, “Maybe we’ll all have to take a second look. A lot of us will.”
Murtha said he contacted Dean to tell him of his support.
“We’re thrilled that Murtha has decided to endorse us. This is someone who is an expert on defense issues and it just shows Governor Dean’s broad appeal to Democrats,” said Laura Gross, spokeswoman for Dean.
In another sign of the significance of Murtha’s endorsement, the Dean campaign is apparently not asking all of his House backers to cajole voting DNC members to support their man. Several confirmed Dean supporters said they stood ready to do anything to help Dean but had not been asked to do anything yet. “Whatever he wants me to do, I’ll do,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).
But Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif) is also writing delegates from vote-rich California to make the case for Dean.
Dean has not formally declared that he is running, but Gross said that announcement was to be expected “shortly.” Dean would mostly likely inform his supporters of his final decision electronically.
Dean will speak at a regional DNC meeting in Atlanta this weekend, the first of four events where delegates will get to judge the candidates up close.
Other candidates for the chairmanship are also canvassing the House for support, competing for endorsements in a contest that will ultimately be decided by the 447 members of the committee. For example, Rep. Barney Frank is calling Massachusetts delegates on behalf of his onetime House colleague, former Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas), who was defeated Nov. 2.
In a late-breaking development, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk bowed out of the race yesterday evening and endorsed former Frost.
Frost also appears to have the respect of many of his former colleagues in the House, if not the unvarnished support. Many said that Frost’s obvious command of politics on every level and understanding of House Democrats’ goals would serve him will as DNC chairman.
One Democratic lawmaker who admitted that he and Frost had crossed swords in the past said that Frost “is just too smart not to take seriously.”
Another lawmaker added, “Tom DeLay wants to chip away at the Jewish vote, both in terms of voting and fundraising, and Martin Frost is not going to let that happen.”
Meanwhile, many House lawmakers said they thought that the House minority leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was clearly leaning in favor of former Rep. Tim Roemer (D-Ind.). While Pelosi has shied away from an overt endorsement, lawmakers said that in private conversations she is always pushing for Roemer.
“She’s always asking, ‘Well, what do you think about Roemer?’” one lawmaker said.
There is not that much retired military brass in the US politics. So, its hard to make any conclusions. But in Israel, tons of generals run into politics soon after retiring. Looking from outside, I have an impression that any and all political parties there, regardless of their political views have their own generals to parade (a far left Peace Now for example is headed by a former paratrooper). I would love to see statistics of their political distribution, but the easily observable fact is that military service and active duty experience is not by itself a predictor of the military officer's future political position. If its true for Israel, we can expect something similar to happen here too.
Exactly!
I wonder, the last time the dems went anti-war (McGovern) how did that work out for them?
So this is from January 5, 2005. I'm thinking what chair? Isn't Dean already the chair? Posting teh correct article date would have helped.
There is no greater insult then to be called an EX-Marine,
It means that the Corps has Ex-communicated you.
My guess is he won't be guarding heaven's scene like the rest of the EX-Marines
Oswald,
Garwood,
Ritter,
Kovic,
Massey,
Josh Rushing,
and that mincing little sun flower that carries around Cincy Sheehan's cape
All are EX-Marines and destined to be Hookers in hell
"Maybe I'm in a charitable mood these days, but everything this ***wipe is doing points to senility."
My thoughts as well.
Could he be said to be the Darth Vadar of the Marine Corps.
Thanks, Stultis. For a minute there, I thought it was Groundhog Day.
ConservativeCorner should be sent to the corner for posting this item and not indicating its relative date.
Further proof: James Carville is a Marine.
You are being generous today, but I think it has been a well coordinated campaign by the demoncrats with all concerned, including "supposed hawks", taking part. I give them credit for running a tight enough ship to pull this off. Meanwhile, the Republicans bumble along still trying to find their way out of a paper bag.The WH has gotten better in recent days and Mehlman is always a direct, forceful and intelligent speaker, but on the whole you are right about the Republican party. Very disorganized. A real Chinese fire-drill.
With all of the varied holiday traditions that families come up with, I realize I have no right to tell you what to eat for Christmas dinner, but might I suggest that this year you remove the intestines and other yucky innards from the turkey before you cook it?
I googled this up page yesterday at The Hill. The original date of the article is not indicated anywhere on the page.
Hey! Quit insulting Spongebob!
EX-Marine please, and for only two years at that.
trea·son (trzn) KEY
NOUN:
Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.
A betrayal of trust or confidence.
The LIBS use logic as if it was toilet paper...
Anyone that has served in the military knows that drill sergeants are privates with their brains beaten out.
Murtha is given this surreal stature as a retired Marine drill sergeant/coronel/military tactician. Lets get real folks, Murtha is no genius by any stretch. He is a politician pure and simple. By definition, "politician" is another word for suck-up specialist.
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