Posted on 11/07/2006 6:07:48 AM PST by jazusamo
JOHNSTOWN — A few years ago, the thought of another serious challenge to John P. Murtha’s 12th District seat would have seemed unlikely at best.
But since the 74-year-old Democrat stepped into the national spotlight last year and called for an immediate withdraw from Iraq, he has been under fire.
Murtha says he’s fine with it. He maintains his redeployment plan is the right one and that the majority of the American people agree.
Enter stage right, Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey. She says Murtha is “dead wrong” and that his words will haunt him on Election Day.
“It’s going to be a very close race, but I’ll beat him,” she said confidently.
The race for the sprawling 12th District has become a war over the war, and Murtha and Irey believe it’s to their advantage.
“I won’t stand by and let Mr. Murtha’s comments make America lose this war,” said Irey, 44, contending that victory is a must.
Victory, she said, means Iraq must be stable enough that its government and army can fight its own battles.
“There are soldiers making incredible sacrifices,” she said. “To withdraw would be viewed as surrendering. The world wouldn’t see us as a dependable ally.”
That’s Bush administration rhetoric, Murtha says.
“They have no clear plan for Iraq. We’re going backwards,” he said. “And what solutions has she offered?”
Murtha, 74, served in the Marine Corps for 37 years before retiring as a colonel in 1990.
He has been in Congress for 32 years, the first Vietnam veteran to serve. Since 1974, he has made a name for himself as a defense hawk who historically has been a staunch supporter of the nation’s troops.
“Who is he serving now?” Irey asked, blasting the Johnstown congressman for his statements about Marines under investigation for the alleged Haditha massacre. “A lot of people I meet on the campaign trail tell me he’s not the same Jack Murtha they voted for back then.”
Murtha points to his track record of bringing jobs — many defense-related — and hundreds of millions in federal dollars into the region.
Murtha says he’s the guy he always has been but with one glaring difference: “I’m out front now. I’m speaking out,” Murtha said, adding that he always preferred to solve problems behind the scenes.
He’s usually quick to point out that during the Persian Gulf War 15 years ago, he staunchly supported the Republican president behind it: George H.W. Bush.
“The difference is, this administration doesn’t listen,” he said. “I had no choice but to speak out.”
Irey contends that Murtha has a personal agenda, noting that he has expressed interest in the House majority leader post if the Democrats win control of Congress.
The disagreements don’t end there. Irey supports continuing the Bush administration’s tax cuts, while Murtha calls them a mistake.”
They also disagree on the Patriot Act — Irey for and Murtha against.
Irey also points to “career politicians” like Murtha as a reason why she supports term limits in Congress.
“I think 12 years is fine,” she said. “If you can’t accomplish what you wanted by then, step aside.”
Ping.
BIG BUMP
I have a very strong feeling that Murtha is brain dead as well. Have you ever sat through one of his agonizing attempts at speech?
God give us term limits -- PLEASE!!!!!
You're so right! I can't imagine why the Dems wanted him to make stump speeches for his fellow Liberals. It worked to our advantage though. He hardly campaigned in the 12th at all, leaving the field to Diana Irey.
Not in person but I've seen him on TV several times. Every time he's just put out a canned, memorized speech, he sounds like he can't think for himself and when he tries he makes huge gaffes.
Murtha's the best example in Congress for term limits, bar none.
He does! About 3 score years and ten.
One keeps looking for the drooling to commence.
Unfortunatly this is why incumbants win.....he got "federal" money for his state..pork barrel....but the votes...it works....
He is senile I think....
I agree that 12 years is enough....
The best indication that Murtha isn't so sure of his positions, or his ability to think (on his feet anyway), is his refusal to debate Irey.
Kinda like Ted Kennedy up here in Mass. He doesn't even bother with his opponents, and if he does, it is a total smear job via his mouthpieces.
oh, now, don't forget 'ole Fat Teddy, Captain of the Chappaquiddick swim team....
That's exactly what happened in this campaign. Murtha totally ignored Diana Irey and his mouth pieces bad mouthed her. They even hired a PI to investigate her for dirt and couldn't find any, that backfired on them.
What it the polling on this race?
Good point, I had a mental lapse. :-)
John Murtha, more like "Aunt" Bertha. Old, fat, scowling nag. I hope his head gets severed off in a car accident, right, NOW!!!!
Nothing at all in the last 5 or 6 weeks. One of those showed Diana Irey trailing 55 to 45 but a lot has happened since.
The FBI ABSCAM tapes were released after. Speculation is that Diana slightly leads him now but no recent polls at all.
If Diana Irey was to defeat John Murtha today, nothing else in this election would matter. Well, it actually would but oh, how sweet it would be.
I would love to see this guy loose big.
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