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."
Not only that, but we will be back again, at an even higher cost in blood and money.
Looks like we have the basis for our own deck of cards: THE MOST REVILED.
Zacs Mom, there is a creative challenge for your skills. The deck would be a best seller.
I don't know what 20 people he is talking about, the other 20 million don't think so.
Absolutely spot on! Right in the middle of the ring. We must constantly remind folks of this and hammer it home. The systems works. It worked and we are going forward with that official tally until something changes it...as well we should.
This has nothing to do with what the people want. It is all about the liberal-demos lust for power and control. Nothing more.
Rush Limbaugh today," THEY (DEMOCRAT PRTY) ARE COWARDS !"
He doesn't speak for this soldier, nor most any other soldier I know, with the exception of a VERY few who came in brainwashed by their leftist teachers. A dose of reality tended to end their leftist views, especially when they saw what the MSM and leftist traitors were really doing.
No, I mean going to war. There has never been, to my knowledge, an actual vote, by the people, on whether or not we should go to war.
How can something done today, soil/undo what was done yesterday?
I could care less about how the public feels. What do they think, or aren't they able to think anymore?
Thank you for your service! I suspect those soldiers that he does speak for are the ones who "signed up" for a free education and benefits but never bothered to read the rest of the contract.
Read the tagline Murtha. Then go eat a salad, fatso.
This should have been accompanied with a "Murtha-Off-His-Meds" Alert.
Well, duh. 100% of Americans back an Iraq pullout --when the time is right. Including President Bush.
I saw a poll last week that showed 70+% of Americans REJECT an immediate pullout of troops from Iraq.
So I don't know what polls Murtha's talking about. Sounds like he's conflating, deliberately, the ones that ask about general approval of the war, vs. those that ask when pullout is appropriate.
There are a lot of ways to spell it! And say it, I reckon.
My "second home" was not too far from Johnstown...Central City...ever hear of it? Not many have.
mmmm pirohi...[however you spell it!]
Sheesh
Battle of The Bulge, over 16,000 Americans died in six weeks of combat.
Ho can he be so sure and yet not have enough courage in his conviction to vote for his own idea.
Is there anybody up there on the Hill that knows what the hell they are doing?
Oh, is that the case? Links?
I just bet you will turn out to be correct.
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