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Posted on 10/28/2008 7:41:13 AM PDT by smoothsailing
By Linda M. Ritzer
Staff writer
lritzer@obserer-reporter.com
When Congressman John Murtha called for the immediate pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq in November 2005, it set off a national debate about the war, which continues to stretch the military's capabilities and the country's finances.
Murtha's statement also galvanized U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Russell to consider a challenge to the powerful Democratic incumbent. Russell, then a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who served in Iraq, said his decision was sealed when wounded Iraq veterans came to the Pentagon in March 2007.
"That was where I made the emotional decision that if I couldn't find another Iraq vet to stand up to Murtha, then I would run," he said during a recent interview.
Russell left the Army just shy of retirement and moved to Johnstown. He faced a ballot challenge that led to a successful write-in campaign for the Republican nomination in the primary, and the two will face off Nov. 4.
His campaign has raised more than $2.5 million, most of it from small contributors. "When you're running against an institution like Mr. Murtha, you're able to leverage a little of his name recognition," he said.
But Russell still recognizes the uphill battle he's fighting. "I'm running in a district with a 34-year incumbent that has a 2.2-to-1 Democratic registration edge."
War in Iraq
Russell is critical of Murtha's opposition to the war and of his statement that a group of Marines "killed innocent civilians in cold blood" after a 2005 battle in Haditha that left 24 Iraqis dead.
All but one later were exonerated of criminal charges. Justin Sharratt of Canonsburg, one of the Marines involved, is angry that Murtha has not apologized and has sued him for slander.
"He put the U.S. stamp of approval on enemy propaganda," said Russell, who also said Murtha, a Vietnam vet, gave "aid and comfort to the enemy."
Murtha, 76, the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a longtime supporter of the military, has not backed down from the controversy.
"I talked to (Sharratt's) dad at great length and told him how I felt," said Murtha, who maintains that the military did not immediately investigate the incident.
Murtha, who is seeking his 18th term, said he tries to get things done quietly, but speaks out when that doesn't happen.
"I say what I feel is in the best interest of the troops in the long run."
He still maintains the United States should withdraw."Everybody's come around to my position," he said. "It's been slower than hell. We've got to have a timeline. We've got to get out."
He believes it will take up to two years to draw down troops, and supports keeping a presence in the region.
Russell believes the United States should maintain a long-term presence in Iraq, even after troops are sent home. He would support the decision of the commander on the ground in Iraq on troop levels, and use public diplomacy to try to reduce the terrorist threat.
Energy and earmarks
The candidates agree that energy independence is another crucial issue facing the country. Both support expanded domestic oil exploration and production and the development of alternative energy sources.
Russell said development of coal-to-liquid technology could be a way to bring real jobs back to Western Pennsylvania.
He accused Murtha of using pork-barrel projects through earmarks to bring jobs to the region, instead of building sustainable industry.
"Earmarks are one reason our biggest export is our adult children," he said, saying that small businesses can't compete with companies that receive taxpayer money.
Russell said Murtha could have instead focused on coal-to-fuel technology to supply jet fuel to the Air Force.
"Murtha has made a big show of clean coal technology, but he has blocked it in committee and refused to let it out," Russell said.
However, Murtha was a sponsor of legislation to create a $1 billion fund for clean coal technologies through a fee on electric generation. A form of the legislation was included in an energy bill passed last month by the House.
And Murtha has earmarked nearly $38 million for Penn State University for coal-to-jet-fuel research over the past 20 years, according to figures supplied by his campaign.
Murtha is known for his ability to steer money to the 12th District through millions in earmarks, many to defense-related contractors.
"I don't apologize for what I do for the district," he said. The fiscal 2009 defense appropriations bill passed by the House in late September included more than $110 million in earmarks for Murtha's district. Taxpayers for Common Sense estimated he has steered $2 billion to the district since 1992.
The bailout
Murtha voted in favor of the ecomic bailout plan Congress passed on the advice of top economic officials who said it was needed. "I think it avoided a deep recession, but I think we're going to have a recession," he said.
"I am not convinced this bill will avert the crisis," said Russell, who added that it is "fundamentally wrong" to ask people who are paying their bills to bail out banks, corporations and people who have spent beyond their means. He also said he would do away with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as mortgage guarantors.
Murtha's outspoken approach has caused him problems more than once. Discussing Barack Obama's chances to win the state, Murtha said Western Pennsylvania is a racist area.
Russell accused him of "making wild and reckless statements about the people he represents."
Murtha apologized the next day, saying he believes people are able to look beyond race.
"I try to be as straightforward as I can," he told the Observer-Reporter editorial board. "And I shouldn't have said it's a racist area. I should have said there are elements of racism in Western Pennsylvania. What the hell, everybody will tell you that."
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
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Everyone should google 12th district, PA. What a Gerrymander! Murtha has lovingly custom-designed his district for himself over the decades. If he can be toppled...
I still think the SCOTUS should impose a simple (geometric/topological?) rule for congressional districts. Something about the length of the boundary not exceeding the ratio of area to.. etc. etc. A variation of the old pie ‘r square.
Actually, I firmly believe that the districts should be drawn by private companies trained in the requirements of the law about districts. Get the politicians out of it, that would be one way to actually get a bit of power back to the voter, something we no longer seem to have.
Aren’t there some states that use an appointed board for drawing up congressional districts?
I forget the pundit who wrote the phrase: “politicians choosing their voters, rather than the other way around.”
What a bipolar nutjob.
Contact me to be added to ping list.
Ping to #8 and then #1. I at least remembered to put my shirt on this morning. :)
And I bet it’s a real fine shirt, too! ;-)
I figured you’ld pick up on that. You bet it is, it’s a Russell Brigade “Boots On The Ground” T-Shirt. HooAhh!
Murtha the Movie | King of Pork (Wm. Russell video ad)
Go! Russell Go!
Beat the slug and send him home!
Thanks for the post, Pookie! Bill Russell’s campaign has done some great TV ads. The campaign runs them during the evening local news hour and during Pittsburgh Steeler football games.
Actually when redistricting happened in 2000 they also did CD 18 to favor republicans so we could get rid of a leftist congressman Mascaro. We tried for six years to unseat him and this was the only way to do it. Then Murtha cried foul and they gave him what he wanted. A district that would elect him for life until now....... maybe.
How many private companies are actually non-partisan? And appointments - are they non-partisan?
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