Posted on 07/01/2006 11:21:30 AM PDT by Coop
Last weekend, it was widely reported, Jack Murtha was one of a handful of political leaders who called senior officials of the New York Times to urge them not to publish the story. But in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Monday, June 25, New York Times editor Bill Keller seemed to suggest that Jack Murtha had NOT, in fact, urged the newspaper not to publish.
So the following day –- Tuesday, June 26 -– we asked Jack Murtha a simple question: Did you or did you not urge senior officials of the New York Times not to publish the offensive article?
We have yet to receive a response.
On Thursday, June 29, the U.S. House of Representatives considered H. Res. 895, a resolution "supporting intelligence and law enforcement programs to track terrorists and terrorist finances conducted consistent with Federal law and with appropriate Congressional consultation and specifically condemning the disclosure and publication of classified information that impairs the international fight against terrorism and needlessly exposes Americans to the threat of further terror attacks by revealing a crucial method by which terrorists are traced through their finances."
In other words, this was a resolution that would put the House on record in the matter of sensitive leaks of national security information regarding financial tracking of terrorist activities. A "YES" vote in support of the resolution would be an indication that a Member thought the decision of the New York Times editors to publish their article was the wrong thing to do.
Surely, a political leader who had called a senior official of the New York Times to urge him not to publish a sensitive article based on illegal leaks of highly classified material would vote in support of such a resolution, wouldn’t he?
And yet … and yet Jack Murtha voted "NO" on the resolution (which, despite his "NO" vote, passed by a 227-183 margin –- with 17 Democrats voting in the affirmative).
Today’s question for Jack Murtha:
If you DID urge senior officials of the New York Times not to publish an article based on illegal leaks of highly classified material, why would you vote "NO" on H. Res. 895?
*An ongoing investigation of Jack Murtha, brought to you by Diana Irey for Congress.
Original thread: Because We Don't Know Jack (6/28/06)
Keep the pressure on the despicable EX-Marine, Commissioner Irey!
Another excellent press release from the Irey campaign!
Very funny. This fall will have some interesting races.
Yep. Methinks Murtha was the official "outside the administration" that did not tell the Slimes to withhold the story.
I know Jack's last name....
I've wondered about your tagline.
It's a fascinating race, and even though it's not statewide, you would think at least one polling firm would have done something. Not being a big-city district, maybe it doesn't catch local TV attention.
I wonder what candidates' polls are showing. Murtha doesn't seem to be scared, but Irey is running an aggressive and amazing campaign for a challenger and she would have easily won, even in this district, if the seat were open.
I know his middle name. (Hint: It has three letters.)
Wonder if the reason Murtha isn't running scared is after 32 years he just arrogantly assumes the job is his by right? That it's "his district" no matter what he does?
I honestly don't think Murtha's paying any attention to his House race. He's too busy basking in the media attention. But that will likely change after the second quarter fundraising reports come out!
I would guess Murtha would still have a significant lead against Irey head to head, but I'd also bet his approval ratings have taken a hit. And they're going to continue to drop as Ms. Irey 1) becomes better known, and 2) keeps calling him out on his abhorrent behavior, comments and votes.
This is going to be a race. Remember, John Kerry only managed 51% of this district's vote. And Murtha can't realistically hope for such a Dem turnout this time around. Plus PA has already shown an anti-incumbent mood from earlier in the year.
Who knows? It's a fact that Murtha wouldn't know which way the wind is blowing if he were in a hurricane.
This is the best time for Irey. I guess the fundraising reports will get enough of Murtha's attention to get him to start campaigning.
Jack is wrong. I have studied the demographics of the 12th district and it should be up for grabs. Those folks who are not republicans are essentially Reagan Democrat types. Kerry won this District with only 51% of vote. Here is a map that shows the location. Basic honest, hard working folks who are patriots. They figured Jack was patriotic too until his recent ravings.
http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd108_named/ind_loc_pdf/PA_CD12loc.pdf
Irey versus Murtha doesn't fit the media's agenda. Every interviewer lets Murtha spout unchallenged. But now I wonder if people (like O'Reilly and Hannity at Fox who repeatedly said Murtha opposed the publication of this story) will now feel obliged to investigate?
bttt
Actually it is reletively close to Pittsburgh and one would think that the Pittsbugh Tribune-Review and Post-Gazette would have commissioned a poll, but they maybe waiting closer to Labor day to put out a poll.
And when spoken with a British accent, does it sound like it has four?
It's in the Pittsburgh region vaguely, but not enough to really catch the yinzers' attention yet.
Pinging to the "enemy within" vote.
BTTT
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