Posted on 06/24/2006 10:59:20 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Local Democrats rally around war critic Murtha
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 25, 2006
WEST PALM BEACH--
Americans don't support the war in Iraq and need a Democratic Congress to force President Bush to change his policy, a leading war critic told about 600 Palm Beach County Democrats at the local party's annual fund-raising dinner Saturday night.
"This is going to be our year.... We know America wants a change," said U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat who wants the United States to begin pulling troops from Iraq immediately.
Murtha said the situation in Iraq is steadily deteriorating and "the truth is there's no plan for victory."
The congressman, who spoke for less than 20 minutes, urged the partisan crowd to help elect Democrats in November.
"We need your help. We need Democratic members of Congress. We need a Democratic majority," Murtha said.
"The Congress is an equal body, but we've been losing our power because the Congress won't stand up to this president."
Palm Beach County is home to two congressional races in which Republican incumbents are being challenged by Democrats.
Democratic state Sen. Ron Klein of Boca Raton, who is facing U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, in a nationally watched race, followed Murtha at the podium at Saturday's dinner. Klein criticized Shaw as an unquestioning "cheerleader" for the Bush administration, which Klein said is waging "a war without a plan."
While critical of the war, the senator does not support setting specific dates for the removal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Tim Mahoney, a Palm Beach Gardens Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce, met with Murtha before the dinner. Mahoney has said America can "win the peace" in Iraq by firing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and building an international coalition.
Both Democratic candidates for governor, U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa and state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua, attended Saturday night's event at the county convention center, although Davis arrived after Murtha's remarks.
Also attending were Democratic U.S. Reps. Robert Wexler of Delray Beach and Alcee Hastings of Miramar, along with a host of other Democratic officeholders.
Wexler, who introduced Murtha, said he expects 2006 to be a victorious year for Democrats. He said Murtha's antiwar stance would be a big factor.
"The tide turned when Jack Murtha stood up and told the nation that there was a better course in Iraq, a better way in Iraq," Wexler said.
Copyright © 2006, The Palm Beach Post. All rights reserved.
MR. RUSSERT: What’s your response?
REP. MURTHA... We can go to Okinawa.
MR. RUSSERT: But it’d be tough to have a timely response from Okinawa.
REP. MURTHA: Well, it—you know, they—when I say Okinawa, I, I’m saying troops in Okinawa.
______________________________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Stultis:
What happened last night?!
How they gonna keep him down on the farm, now that he's seen Paris? Since Irey's called him outside and is willing to fight-he's just boning up on 'the cut and run'
...a dry run (or is it the dry rum?)
Moonbats always fly south.
I know the plan, why don't they know the plan?
Dump Murtha, Elect Irey!
Thanks for the post (#19). Very interesting. BTTT!
Must be something in the water, eh? Or they're firming up the cut and run policy and operations. Maybe they've found out about the big military HQ and operations in Florida, decided it was a better option than Okinawa, and in consultation with John Kerry have flip flopped on that decision. Can we expect an announcement shortly they've decided to call it Operation C.H.A.D. ?
The Cut and run Higher authority for Asshat Democrats
Very nice! :-) Don't think of it as retirement, but rather as redeployment.
Does he feel so secure in his own district that he can campaign in florida?
..Who cares what Florida thinks about ol' Cut-And-Run .....
My two cents.
It would apppear thet there is no other 'Rat course but to run against the war. To do so requires a loud voice and that loud antiwar voice is best heard from Murtha. He is in Florida to make loud noise to rally the voters to the cause.
The fact a Florida candidate has to import an antiwar voice is to me insightful. It is a desperate gamble that enough voters will favorably receiveve such an unpartiotic message. There are only a desperate few who can call themselves patriots and damn the military with a straight face.
Me thinks the Rat cause is lost......
Wonderful.. The Dummycrats are trying to sell America that the right policy in Iraq is one where we threaten a fledgling democracy (Iraq) that if they do not do more for themselves we will pull out our troops (Redeploy to some far off place) in an attempt to save ourselves from the costs of war? Wow cowardly is an understatement.. Oh but then what if we do and the inusrgency takes over and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda gain control of the government... hmmm let me see then we are to what send the troops back in? Nuke the place? The Liberals have seriously lost their minds...
We (true) Floridians don't consider SE Florida to be part of Florida. Think of it as a transplanted NE U.S.
Murtha should be in Okinawa making preparations for 130,000 troops to be billeted there as a rapid reaction force for Iraq.
Was Murtha screaming when clinton left our troops to die in mogadishu?????NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!Its okay for dems to kill our troops out of cowardice but have our troops defending freedom with their life .........HORRORS!!!!!!!!!
"This is going to be our year.... We know America wants a change,"
yup. Just not the change Murtha, et al, are expecting...
BTTT
Good ones freema!
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