Posted on 10/30/2008 6:18:39 AM PDT by Kaslin
The anti-incumbent tide is so strong this electoral season it just might sweep out one of the most powerful bulls from the House of Representatives.
Residents in Pennsylvania's 12 District have tolerated much controversy from Rep. John Murtha (Pa.) but his recent remarks about some Pennsylvanians being "racist" could end his 34-year Washington career.
Murtha’s recent accusation that some voters in his state are “racist” has given his Republican opponent William Russell, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, some much-needed ammunition to unseat the incumbent.
“There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area,” Murtha told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Murtha fumbled again when he attempted to clarify that statement to Pennsylvania’s WTEA television station. “This whole area, years ago, was really redneck.”
Murtha, known for his gruff temper, has previously fumed there is “no g** d*** way” Russell would beat him, but a recent Pennsylvania poll conducted by Dane & Associates gives Murtha only narrow 1.8 point edge over Russell, 45.5 percent to 43.7 percent.
Sensing opportunity, the National Republican Congressional Committee is pouring $84,000 into the race to boost Russell with an ad titled “Enough.” The spot uses Murtha’s quotes about the “racist” part of his state and reminds Pennsylvania residents about his assessment that U.S. Marines murdered Iraqi civilians in “cold blood.”
One of the Marines Murtha accused of murder later sued Murtha for libel, but the Marine’s case was ultimately dismissed.
Murtha, an outspoken critic of the war, is chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on defense and has used his position to try to cut off funding for the war. He’s also used his committee clout to route hundreds millions of dollars in earmarks to his district.
The left-leaning Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has named Murtha one of the “20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress” over the millions of earmarks Murtha’s secured for lobbying defense firms headed by his former employees.
Murtha looks like the north end of a southbound horse.
“Murtha looks like the north end of a southbound horse.”
But the horse is smarter and considerably more civil ...
We have been promoting Russell for months now. Glad to see the RNC finally came to their senses as well,took long enough.
He shouldn’t get more than 5% of the vote, but hey, I guess they ARE RACISTS and REDNECKS.
Arrogance and Ignorance are not pleasant in combination, and Murtha is an ugly package for both.
I heard they offered the money to Murtha as an incentive to step down. Allegedly, he said he "was not interested......at this point."
ABSCAM Excerpt
A short clip from the videotape shows Murtha stating "I'm not interested, I'm sorry. At this point..." in direct response to an offer of $50,000 in cash.
There is a small part of me that not only sees Murtha going down but some more of these idiots. Not a 1994 scenario but not the sweep the Socialists (formerly the Democrat Party) believe.
I didn’t know that the marine’s libel suit was dismissed.
Which case was that? And does anyone have a link to the dismissal news?
Has he always been such a nasty person or unlike wine he has grown sour in his old age....
Residents in Pennsylvania's 12 District have tolerated much controversy from Rep. John Murtha (Pa.) but his recent remarks about some Pennsylvanians being "racist" could end his 34-year Washington career.
Yeah, they don't mind being called red necks or having our military members, including one of their very own, referred to as murderers of "innocent civilians in COLD BLOOD", but they draw the line at being called racists.
Makes no never-mind, as long as they FINALLY oust the lout!
Donate to LTC Bill Russell and rid us all of the embarrassment aka as Murtha, aka al-murthawi.
Pride comes before a FALL. Therefore I predict this FAUX man will lose big time and take BAMA with him.
I’d love to see a 527 ad along the lines of “Frankenstein”. It would intone “30-odd years ago the voters created the Murtha creature. Now it has turned on us.” Cue Frank/Murtha, complete with bolts in neck lurching around and roaring “Arrgh! Rednecks! I’M ENTITLED!”
Pan to a crowd of villagers labeled “Voters” with pitchforks and torches coming after him, with the voice saying “It’s time to cage the monster we created. We voted you in and we will vote you out.”
Word is LtCol Jeffrey Chessani is also seriously considering suing the bloated traitor. I wish him all the best.
Neither did I!
Donate to LTC Bill Russell 
Help rid us all of the embarrassment known as Murtha, aka al-murthawi.
Murtha is toast.
Next up? Taking down that filthy liar and thief Rangel.
It isn’t the “anti-incumbent tide” that will result in Murtha’s downfall. It is his own stupidity.
The writer of the piece got it totally wrong. The slander suits (not libel) are very much alive and well. In fact, Murtha will be served with papers this week in the Sharratt suit.
Whoops. Didn’t see that you had already corrected the record.
bttt what she said
“When I say racist, I mean ignorant!”
Contact me to be added to ping list.
Why am I not surprised?
The arrogance of Murtha is unbelievable. He's had it his way so long he doesn't even realize what's coming out of his mouth any longer. He didn't think there was a thing wrong with saying that, I'm sure.
He doesn’t give a damn.
Here’s his letter to MoveON.....
Dear Friends,
After decades of fighting for this country and our troops, I am up against the right-wing attack machine again.
Because of my work to end the Iraq war, they have thrown hundreds of thousands of dollars behind my opponent, who lives in Virginia with his family, not in my district in Pennsylvania. Now, I am suddenly being outspent 3 to 1.
They are up to the same old tricks, “swiftboating” me again as they did two years ago. So I am asking people who have stood with me on Iraq to stand with me again to stop them in their tracks.
Can you chip in $25 for me and a few other candidates at the link below?
https://pol.moveon.org/give/6days2.html?id=14796-4910505-NZUsM0x&t=3
This is a real emergency—with just 6 days left.
People like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity are calling me a traitor and worse.
Initially, I brushed it off, because calling for a responsible end to the war was the right thing to do. Now, finally the Bush administration has started negotiating a timeline to bring our troops home, something I supported for almost three years.
This year I’ve spent most of my time campaigning and raising money for other Democrats, including Barack Obama, instead of myself. It worked in 2006 and we threw the Bush Republicans out. But now my own race is tight so I am asking supporters for help. Can you chip in?
When I ask for help, it is because I really need it. It is urgent. I will not back down from this fight, but I need you with me to repel the right-wing smear machine once again.
Thank you, God protect our troops and bless America.
–John P. Murtha
October 29, 2008
It’s good to see him snivel like a snot-nosed kid after he brought all of this on himself.
I knew you’d have the most accurate info. I was simply trying to put a Band-aid on the “wound” until you arrived. :-)
It is, but after all, he's just looking for a little help from his friends...
Yep: MoveOn=Soros=Osama=Obama
That sounds about right to me, Jaz.
EXCELLENT timing! Hope Justin arranges to have a camera crew on hand to record the reaction of this pos!
Thanks for the correction. I know I have missed a lot, but I didn't think I had missed that much!
I told his lawyer I'd pay for photographers myself! At the moment, I'm standing by for further info.
That’s a fantastic offer, Red. You have my deepest admiration.
If he takes you up on the offer, let us know so we can help! ;*)
I have many comments to make, but break time is over!
I shall return. BTW, post 24 should have its own thread.
Opportunists. I guess that pretty well describes the slimebags in the NRCC. A pox on them. I reckon y'all can recall two years ago when they were running the other way.
Am I bitter? Yep. Murtha has had an extra two years to spread his corrupt sliminess all over his district due to the ineptness of the NRCC.
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