Posted on 11/21/2005 9:24:07 AM PST by Reagan Man
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a key Democrat on military issues, on Monday defended his call to pull U.S. troops from Iraq, saying he was reflecting Americans' sentiment.
"The public turned against this war before I said it," Murtha said. "The public is emotionally tied into finding a solution to this thing, and that's what I hope this administration is going to find out."
Murtha, 73, a decorated Vietnam veteran and the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, said he has received support from the public since calling for the troop pullout on Thursday. He said he has gotten e-mails from World War II veterans and parents of American soldiers in Iraq.
Murtha noted that his great-grandfather served in the Civil War, his father and three uncles in World War II, and that he and his brothers were Marines. Murtha said western Pennsylvania, where his district is located, is a "hotbed of patriotism and they've lost confidence in this effort."
He said Iraqis must take control of their own destiny.
"We cannot win this militarily. Our tactics themselves keep us from winning," Murtha said at a scheduled news conference after a speech to a civic group in his hometown of Johnstown, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.
House Republicans on Friday pushed for a vote on a nonbinding resolution to pull out the troops after Murtha's comments. It was rejected 403-3, but Democrats said the quick call for the vote was a political stunt designed to undermine Murtha's comments.
"The guys in Congress are scared to death to say anything because they might be vilified," Murtha said. "The soldiers can't speak for themselves. We sent them to war and, by God, we're the ones that have to speak out."
Murtha said he was unmoved by criticism he's received from President Bush, others in Congress and the public.
U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, spoke on the House floor Friday about a phone call she got from a Marine colonel who said, "cowards cut and run, Marines never do." Asked about it, Murtha called the comment ridiculous.
"You can't spin this. You've got to have a real solution," Murtha said. "This is not a war of words, this is a war."
Aware that his comments last week would draw fire from conservatives, Murtha said he specifically asked more liberal members of his party not to step forward to support him.
"I didn't want (the public) to think this was a Democrat position plotted from the left wing," Murtha said.
Murtha expressed confidence that terrorist bombings in Iraq would cease once U.S. troops were gone and Iraqis became solely responsible for their destiny.
"Absolutely, we're the target. We're the enemy," Murtha said. "(The Iraqis) are a proud people, they've been around a lot longer than we have. They've going to win this themselves, they're going to settle this themselves. They have to, there's no alternative."
Murtha said he believes President Bush needs to realize how citizens feel about the war.
"All of us want to support the president when he's at war," Murtha said "But you can't support him when he won't change directions, won't listen."
Please for give me for butting in, but I just got aphone call:
PLEASE HELP US PRAY FOR MY PASTOR!
My pastor, Rev. James Witherington, of East Acres Baptist Church, Millington, TN, was just admitted to Methodist North Hospital in Memphis, TN, for CHEST PAINS.
he has been preaching the gospel for over 50 years.
I have seerved under his ministry as Youth Leader for the past 7 years.
He is a great man of God and I BEG my fellow Believers to join us in prayer for Bro. Jim.
http://www.gtsyouth.blogspot.com
The old corrupt fool is speaking words that have been given him by the needy and hateful Democrat leadership.
****
The only thing missing when Murtha is standing and speaking is Edgar Bergen by his side.
Yo Dude, we're w-i-n-n-i-n-g. More soldiers died in the first 2 hours of the invasion at Normandy (4000) than have died in 2 years of us being in Iraq. We're fighting a group of rag tag insurgents who are making homemade bombs in their garages and you want to admit defeat?
Americans have become weak and intolerant of continued casualties. They don't want any more of our sons and daughters killed. In the 10-minute attention span of the average American, a three-year war seems like 100 years. It isn't just the MSM propaganda, either. We are being naive if we think so. The public has had enough of this war.
But the job of our political leaders is to try to educate the population and do what is right for American interests long-term, not to pander to the popular sentiment of a public with a short attention span. A military veteran above all should know this. That's why Murtha's stance is particularly disgraceful.
Murtha is a liar.
BTTT your comment post
Regardless of Jack Murtha being a former Marine, he's an assh*le today!
Sorry...it is YOU who are politicizing this.
Many, many more Iraqis are being killed by the bombings than Americans. The terrorists are TARGETING Iraqis who want a free country. We are in this fight WITH those freedom loving Iraqis Rep. Murtha...and we cannot, we dare not leave them now to this fight. We must fight shoulder to shoulder and secure and ensure their freedom. That will be the victory over our enemies...not a policy of leaving our friends to their own devices.
Already put to an accurate vote in November, 2004.
We know how America feels. And we Americans have a much longer memory than the jerk Enemedia think we have.
America shall not falter nor shall we Murtha to our enemies.
What a shame Congressman Murtha, you have soiled your own previous duty to the nation with your bought and paid for comments.
Lets see according to the liberals Cindy Sheehan speaks for all the mothers of soldiers, that one liberal from New Jersey spoke for all the 9/11 families and now Murtha speaks for all Marines, Military and Americans.
As a former Marine, I'm ashamed of this kook.
Semper Fi'
JarheadFromFlorida
Any truth to the rumor that Murtha and Cinnnnndeeee Sheehan are getting married?
Guess he wasn't there Friday night when they had a chance to vote the way their constituents "felt."
Looks like we have the basis for our own deck of cards: THE MOST REVILED.
Cowards.
;-) spell it right it's pirohi! (j/k) I agree and am about to send a message off to Murtha. Having been born and raised in Western PA I take offense to his words evn though I haven't lived there is 20 years. The man has lost his marbles.
Yeah and John Kerry speaks for all gigolo's, while his wife speaks for all tomatoes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.