DIANA IREY COUNTDOWN TO VICTORY THREAD-UPDATED DAILY!!

WHY DOESN'T JACK WANT TO DEBATE? REASON NUMBER 21: HE DOESN'T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW HE'S VOTED HIMSELF 12 CONSECUTIVE PAY RAISES

(MONONGAHELA, October 16) -- Washington County Commissioner and Pennsylvania 12th district Republican Congressional nominee Diana Irey -- responding to Jack Murtha's refusal to meet with her to debate the issues -- today released this statement:

"Why is Jack Murtha scared to debate me? Two leading newspapers in our district -- the Washington Observer-Reporter, and Jack Murtha's own hometown newspaper, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat -- have now urged him to debate. Several TV stations have offered to air the debate, so that the public can tune in for themselves and see the contrasting visions we have. And the League of Women Voters has offered to sponsor and set up the debate.

"Yet Jack Murtha refuses. His official response was, 'My record's out there for everyone to see … I've done it the same way all the time.'

"Of course, Jack Murtha is counting on the fact that everyone in the district thinks he's the same old Jack Murtha they always knew. But we know otherwise. As I've pointed out before, if you think the Jack Murtha of 2006 is the same Jack Murtha you've been supporting for the last three decades, you don't know Jack -- and for proof, you can visit YouDontKnowJack.org to read up on the Jack Murtha you never knew.

"As I said last week, the only reasonable conclusion one can reach is that Jack Murtha is flat-out scared to debate me. He knows I will hold him accountable for his record, and for his behavior as our Congressman. And he knows that debating me would be a sure-fire loser for his campaign.

"But just because Jack Murtha is scared to debate me doesn't mean the voters of the 12th District should be denied the information they would have received had Jack Murtha been willing to meet to discuss the issues. So today, and for the remaining days of this campaign, I will offer one reason per day why Jack Murtha is scared to debate me. There are 21 days left to campaign, so I will offer 21 reasons.

"Reason #21 that Jack Murtha is scared to debate me: he doesn't want anyone to know that HE HAS VOTED HIMSELF TWELVE CONSECUTIVE PAY RAISES."

Yet another good reason to support Diana.

This prepared gibberish was sent out yesterday by the DCCC above Murtha's name:

From: "Rep. Jack Murtha, DCCC" {dccc@dccc.org}

Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert

Subject: Disgusted

Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:07:37 -0400

22 Days Left

We Are Counting On You

Dear Lewis,

Those guys in the White House and their Republican buddies in Congress are telling us to sit down, shut up and 'stay the course' - well, I'm not going to. And I don't think you will either.

We've only got 22 days to go until Election Day. If you're as disgusted as I am, then you need to get involved in this election today. You can and will make a difference.

Everyone wants a stable Iraq, but victory is a goal not a strategy. Democrats are united behind the fight against terrorism. Democrats are united behind our troops. Democrats are united behind a strong America. Now, let's show them that Democrats are united behind winning this election.

I am doing everything I can to support the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) efforts to win a Democratic majority. Today, I'm asking you to do the same. The DCCC is dedicated to working day and night to elect a Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives this November. We only have 22 days left and are running out of time. I know you have been following this election closely and that you know just how high the stakes are.

Today, one of the best actions you can take to help win in November is to make a secure online contribution to the DCCC. Can I count on you to help our Democratic candidates by giving to the DCCC?

Make a secure online contribution of $35, $50 or more to the DCCC now.

The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion, when what America wants and deserves is accountability and a real plan. It has become increasingly clear that the only thing we're going to get out of the White House and the Republicans in Congress are rosy scenarios and political slogans. Our troops deserve answers, not spin.

'Stay the course' is not a plan and it is not a solution to the quagmire the Bush administration has created in Iraq. Even as the British Army Chief is calling for their troops to leave Iraq because their presence is making things worse, our Army is drawing up blueprints to keep ours there through 2010. Crying "cut and run" and calling Democrats "defeatist" will not silence the critics of Bush's failed foreign policy. Democrats recognize that we're headed for a far greater disaster in Iraq if we don't change course - and soon. That is something the Bush ideologues know very little about -- realism!

In these last few weeks there is one thing we can count on and that is that the GOP attacks are only going to get more malicious. Republicans have said in recent days that they are preparing to lose seats, and indeed the results could fall anywhere between seven and thirty seats. Whether the DCCC has the resources to put our candidates across the finish line, or they fall just short, will depend on whether they can compete financially. And that depends on YOU and the thousands of other people who are committed to win this November.

Make a secure online contribution of $35, $50 or more to the DCCC now.

Despite objections from a majority of Americans, Iraqis and most world public opinion, and in the face of a deteriorating situation, this administration's insistence on a "go-it-alone, stay-the-course" policy defies logic. Karl Rove may have another name for it, but can anyone living in the real world deny that we are heading in the wrong direction?

I have served in Congress for 17 terms and I have many friends on the other side of the aisle. But my Republican Rubber Stamp friends who are insisting to 'stay the course' -- have it all wrong, and so my dear friends, we are forced to fight this war on two fronts. One is to combat the spin and intimidation that defines this administration and the Republican Congress. The other is to fight to change course, to do things better and demand answers and accountability. We will stay in this fight until the end, and we will win. But we need your help.

We must begin the new Congress with a clarion call to substitute slogans with strategy in Iraq. Democrats will put policy before politics and will provide the new direction we desperately need.

We must stop Bush's irresponsible policies now. We need a new direction. Today, I am asking you to make the additional action of giving a gift to help our candidates win in November. I would not ask if it were not so critical. Please give to the DCCC today. We are counting on your support!

Make a secure online contribution of $35, $50 or more to the DCCC now.

Sincerely,

Jack Murtha

Member of Congress, Pennsylvania's 12th District

P.S. -- The Bush policy in Iraq has been one plagued with surprises, errors and inaction - resulting in the quagmire we are faced with today. Bush and his policy makers are to blame for the situation in Iraq being a quagmire yet he refuses to hold those responsible accountable. With all the money and loss of lives we are expending in Iraq today, we can no longer afford surprises. We need to take control of our destiny in Iraq, and a Democratic majority is the only hope for that.

Make a secure online contribution of $35, $50 or more to the DCCC now.

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