His career may be long and distingushed, but he has obviously not given any thought to what will happen if we pulled out tomorrow.
Although he at one time served his country he has now decided to serve the Demorat party. Too bad. Is it true he has to kiss Kennedy's ring each morning before starting work?
Yes he has...
Murtha Supports Iraq Resolution with Reservations
WASHINGTON, DC, October 9, 2002 -- Congressman John Murtha today said he would vote for the resolution authorizing military force against Iraq despite a number of serious reservations.
Murtha said, “Obviously we have reason to be concerned about Saddam Hussein -- there’s no question that he’s a real threat to us and we need to make sure he’s not developing nuclear, chemical or biological weapons to use against us or against other nations in the Middle East. We also need to make sure that Iraq does not resume Afghanistan’s former role as the host nation for terrorist training camps.
“But I’ve urged great caution before we move forward with military action against Iraq. My concerns have been heard -- we’ve seen a major shift in the White House position, and the resolution that will come up before the House will address my two biggest concerns. The resolution will make clear that we need the support of other nations before we proceed, and that we need Congressional approval before we commit forces. So the resolution will demonstrate our national resolve to Hussein and increase the pressure on him to open the doors for full and unfettered inspections,” he said.
Pentagon Cites Progress in Iraq Democracy
Friday, July 22, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon told Congress on Thursday that progress toward establishing democracy in Iraq is on track despite an adaptable and deadly insurgency, but it offered no estimate of when U.S. troops would start withdrawing.
In its most comprehensive public assessment yet of conditions in Iraq, the military released a 23-page report that described progress and problems on the political, economic and security fronts.
Some Democrats were quick to criticize, saying the accounting fell short of helping the public understand when U.S. troops can leave.
"They missed an opportunity," said Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, the lead Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. He said the report lacks specific criteria for judging when Iraq will be stable enough for U.S. troops, now numbering 138,000, to withdraw.
The report says the key will be reaching the point when Iraqi security forces are trained and equipped at a level at which they can assume primary responsibility. The report does not estimate when that will happen.
"How do you measure success? That's the criteria that we aren't getting," Murtha said.
As for the training of Iraqi troops, Murtha said: "We've got a long ways to go, let's put it that way. ... They just aren't ready to take over."