Murtha became big news because the Democrats needed to push Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) off the stage.
Dems were embarassed that the public has learned that "Loose Lips" Rockefeller told foreign leaders that Bush was determined to invade Iraq.
There is no doubt the Democrats used Murtha, a decorated veteran, to put forth an attack on the Bush administration.
They have promoted him as a Hawk, but he is not.