To be added to the Murtha Watch ping list please notify myself or RedRover.
Posted on 04/25/2009 11:27:07 AM PDT by jazusamo
WASHINGTON — So powerful was Representative John P. Murtha at one time that he used to put up billboards in his Western Pennsylvania district declaring that “the P is for Power.” Few in Congress dared disagree: he doled out or withheld billions in federal money each year for lawmakers’ pet projects, better known as earmarks.
Now, however, a string of federal criminal investigations of contractors or lobbyists close to Mr. Murtha, the top Democrat on the defense appropriations subcommittee, are threatening to undermine his backroom clout.
In the weeks since the news that prosecutors had raided the offices of the PMA Group — a lobbying firm founded by a former Murtha associate that became a gateway to his office and his biggest source of campaign money — about two dozen rank-and-file Democrats have risked his wrath by calling for a House ethics investigation of the matter. One Democrat has even foresworn seeking earmarks for the military contractors in his district because of ethical concerns about the process.
In a private meeting with the chairman of the House appropriations committee, Mr. Murtha, the unofficial leader of the “old bulls” who oversee the subcommittees, was forced to accept a series of new restrictions on his authority to grant earmarks, Democratic aides briefed on the meeting said. In previous weeks he had already acquiesced to another steep cut in the volume of earmarks he dispenses, down by half this year from a few years ago. He had also accepted new disclosure requirements, including public hearings, that cramp his ability to cut last-minute deals.
~snip~
Mr. Murtha, who declined to be interviewed, has brushed off such concerns. He has said publicly that federal prosecutors have not contacted him about any investigations.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
To be added to the Murtha Watch ping list please notify myself or RedRover.
Yeah...uh...Congreeman, it's called accountability.
Until they indict and convict him he stays where he is.
Can't say Murtha didn't warn the sheep they were about to be sheared.
Thanks, Red, that’s a great graphic!
Well, here's hoping the "cloud" turns into "the raging inferno from hell".
Excellent article by the NYT, Jaz, that's gotta really be getting Murtha's goat. The "media darling" days must seem so far away now!
With all the negative heat lately towards Fat Jack from the MSM he may just think it already has. LOL!
I was very surprised the NYT came down on him, he's definitely losing his fair-haired boy status with the enemedia.
Guess what, Burtha Burpa . . .
God Almighty has your number big-time.
However, HE won’t come a’callin’
You’ll appear before HIM when summoned.
Disposition will not likely be to your liking given your arrogance and refusal to confess and admit wrong.
Oh, and the asbestos haz-mat suit will be of absolute no use whatsoever. But then, you’ll likely be more or less naked before God anyway.
the NY Times is now holding his feet to the fire.
Naw . . . that’s hardly a candle . . .
compared to the warming fire’s he’s slated for.
Agreed, Quix. I’d surely hate to be in his position.
It looks like they've made a decision. It started with the editorial on April 2nd, remember...
The NYT has picked the fall guy for the Democrat corruption. Let the word go forth to the media everywhere, the Times has spoken!!!
He's one of my five least favorite Congress-scumbuckets.
Me either.
God have mercy on all who Love Him truly.
Thanks for your kind reply.
Yes, I should have remembered, this is the second piece for them.
Many of us have been waiting for this to happen. Even if the feds don’t nail him it has to be hurting him in many other ways, he has a huge ego.
Absolutely, Allegra, it would be HUGE!
The tax payer needs to stop this welfare for the rich and their flying hobby.
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