Murtha P.I. on Trail of Challenger Irey

Observer/Reporter (Pittsburgh suburbs) ^ | 7/20/06 | Barbara S. Miller

[Coop]

A private investigator working for the campaign of U.S. Rep. John Murtha has been collecting information about his opponent in the congressional race, Washington County Commissioner Diana L. Irey.

"Everybody's talking about it," Irey said Wednesday, adding that she became aware that an investigator hired by the Murtha campaign was checking up on her in a county outside Washington a couple of weeks ago.

About the same time, a woman arrived at the Washington County elections office requesting copies of Irey's campaign finance forms in her county commissioner races and information from a statewide database that would show how often she went to the polls.

The database shows Irey as a registered Republican who since at least 1986 regularly voted in both primaries and general elections, most recently in the May 16 primary.

"There's nothing sinister about checking public records on someone running for Congress, especially when that person is not well known," Murtha said through a spokeswoman.

Asked if the investigation goes beyond the public record, Irey said, "That's the rumor," and claimed that the Murtha campaign has previously looked into other opponents' pasts.

"It's been done before," said Irey, a three-term county commissioner. "I was told when I entered this race that he's done that to other candidates as well. I've been investigated before. I don't have anything to hide."

Although news releases from Irey's campaign sometimes refer to its "investigation" of Murtha, she said she uses the word in a different context, meaning an examination of Murtha's voting record in Congress.

"We have not hired a private investigator," Irey said.

The 12th Congressional District stretches from the West Virginia line to Cambria County, taking in all of Greene County and about half of Washington County. The Johnstown Democrat was first elected to Congress in 1974.

[Coop]

I suppose Murtha is correct in saying that and I hope he realizes that there is nothing sinister about checking into FBI tapes that have been in the public arena showing a Congressman tabling a proposed bribe to a later date. I believe Murtha has much to fear about bringing up past behavior whereas Ms. Irey has nothing to fear, but as she says, she hasn't stooped to hiring a PI to dig up dirt.

I actually agree with Mr. Murtha (which doesn't happen much). There's nothing sinister about looking into public records.

However, I fail to see why he would need a private investigator for such a simple procedure.

Can you spell ABSCAM, boys and girls? How about Kit, as in brother Murtha?

I knew you could! :)

[Coop]

Just got off the phone with my brother-in-law. He was with Irey and about 25 other people up in Apollo,PA. Lots of rain! They split into groups and just knocked on doors to get the word out. He said the response was pretty much 50/50 toward the two candidates.

50/50? At this juncture I'd say that's very encouraging. Ms. Irey is just starting to get her name out. And even that approx. half supporting Murtha at least now knows who she is and that she means business!

I'm also encouraged by the approx. two dozen volunteers helping her out. During the summer heat when few are paying attention to politics and everyone would rather be sipping a beverage by the poolside.

Please thank your brother-in-law for me! I'm going to get up there soon to help the campaign out. I know some others have expressed interest in doing the same.

[ClaireSolt]

Frankly, I don't see why he bothers. I haven't heard any respect for facts when he speaks. Send the PI to Okinawa.

[Coop]

Thank you. Please join the team and help us accomplish the goal. Whether it's a donation of money and/or time, forwarding news to friends in or near her district, writing a letter to the editor, support sites like Vets4Irey.com or BootMurtha.com, there are a lot of things we can all do.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I sure hope her background is clean. If so, this will backfire on Murtha BIG TIME!

Uh, she's been Washington County commissioner for 10 years. If she has done anything improperly it would have came out by now.

Typical Dims -- when you can't defeat your opponent on the issues, resort to political smear campaigns.

[Coop]

They can't blame the Republicans for Murtha's mouth, however.

[shalom aleichem]

Re: door-to-door response being 50-50 is not good. Ordinarily when you drop by and ask for support for your candiate, you'll either get a yes or a non-committal. People are usually polite face to face. Very seldom will someone say they're for the other guy (doofus in this case). We need to work harder. Irey need not "hire" a PI. She has FR on her side. Let's roll.

[Coop]

I disagree. 50/50 response in July against an entrenched incumbent by a relative unknown? I find it quite encouraging.

[ardara]

Join those of us who have contributed to the Irey campaign. Semper Fi

[RedRover]

I'm sure you'll let us know when a 12th district caravan gets organized. By the way, do you know if anyone from the Vets for Irey camp has done any media interviews? It'd be great for a John O'Neill type of spokesman to do some radio and TV.

[RedRover]

I'm sure you'll let us know when a 12th district caravan gets organized. By the way, do you know if anyone from the Vets for Irey camp has done any media interviews? It'd be great for a John O'Neill type of spokesman to do some radio and TV.

[freema]

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, fight fire with fire, and eye for an eye. But somehow, I know she won't lower herself to murtha's standard.



"The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward. The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room." The order further states: "Men who have merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The order to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to be a permanent one."

General Orders of August 7, 1782 George Washington

The PURPLE HEART is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

http://www.purpleheart.org/explain.html

[Clintonfatigued]

John Murtha shows his true colors again, albeit in a different way.

DIANA IREY FOR CONGRESS!!!

[jazusamo]

50/50 response in July against an entrenched incumbent by a relative unknown? I find it quite encouraging.

Exactly, especially when it's a 32 year entrenched incumbent and that he is supposedly the fair haired boy for bringing home all the pork for those years.

If half the people are showing support for Ms. Irey at this point, it is very encouraging.

[Coop]

Vets4Irey is just a one-person effort, to my knowledge. The Vets for the Truth, sponsoring Boot Murtha, is larger and headed by Larry Bailey. I think he has done some interviews and the like. You can probably find details on his site - www.bootmurtha.com

[Coop]

I'm sure you'll let us know when a 12th district caravan gets organized.

Yes, I plan to coordinate with the campaign and arrange a date, then I'll post some details and collect names.

[Coop]

A Dozen Reasons why Commissioner Irey Can Defeat Rep. John Murtha

1. John Kerry only managed to get 51% of the 12th district's vote in 2004, and Jack Murtha cannot realistically be expected to match that very high Presidential voter turnout.
2. Diana Irey has 10 years of experience as Washington County's Commissioner, including seven consecutive balanced budgets without a tax increase.
3. Veterans are incredibly upset with her dishonorable opponent, Mr. Murtha, and they are organizing to call attention to his despicable behavior. Two examples:
    >>>> www.vets4irey.com
    >>>> www.bootmurtha.com
4. Commissioner Irey understands that Okinawa is not located in or near the Persian Gulf.
5. Pennsylvania has already exhibited an anti-incumbent trend this year.
6. While Jack Murtha does not, Ms. Irey, Pennsylvanians and Americans in general still strongly believe in the presumption of innocence - especially when it comes to freedom's defenders during wartime
7. When Jack Murtha first joined Congress, American had not yet celebrated its bicentennial. Diana Irey is relatively young and attractive, while Jack Murtha is... not.
8. Diana Irey is articulate, while Jack Murtha is a tightly wound, stuttering idiot.
9. Mr. Murtha's brother - Kit - is a Washington lobbyist who in 2004 landed about $20 million for his defense contractor clients. Coincidentally (??), Jack Murtha has been the top recipient of defense industry dollars for the past three years. Source
10. Rep. Jack Murtha is an unindicted co-conspirator from the Abscam scandal; Commissioner Irey is not.
11. Diana Irey will be a member of the ruling majority party; Jack Murtha is twelve years removed from that position.
12. Because of your support! Click here to donate
    

[knarf]

Yo, Coop .. there ain't a red blooded, son of an American mother married to a patriot Dad that wouldn't step up, step in and step on .. for Diana's sake and honor.

[bmwcyle]

If nothing turns up, it will be her life on the line. Murtha is a connected crook.

[BoBToMatoE]

I have got to be wondering if Irey is closer than what the media believes to beating Murtha. We can only hope.