thedrifter
10-01-06, 09:22 AM
Murtha Brings Out Political Artillery At Rally
(KDKA) JOHNSTOWN Ahead in the polls but under attack by critics for his stance on the war in Iraq, Congressman John Murtha held a rally today for his re-election.
He defended his position on the war.
The former Marine brought out some heavy political artillery for ground support.
“Let me tell you that, in my view, Jack Murtha's critics don't know Jack,” said Sen. Bob Kerrey, a Medal of Honor winner.
“I'm up here for Jack Murtha. He is a great man, he is your congressman. And he is one of America's real heroes,” said Gen. Wesley Clark, former NATO supreme commander.
Considered a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker, and one who could work with the other side of the aisle, Murtha has come under attack after he criticized Marines accused of atrocities against Iraqi civilians and saying the war was militarily unable to be won.
“This is a failed policy, wrapped in illusion,” Murtha said.
But supporters of the war disagree.
“We have first information of guys coming back from Iraq, saying, you got to get rid of this guy Murtha,” said Larry Bailey, a Navy Seal who went to Vietnam.
He’s behind a rally planned for Sunday, calling for Murtha’s ousting from congress. Murtha’s comments about Marines’ accused atrocities sent Bailey on a mission.
“It wasn't just because he said that. He was doing that in context of advancing his own political career, now being the tip of the spear of the anti-war movement,” Bailey said.
Bailey acknowledges Murtha was a past friend of the military but says that was then, this is now and all’s fair in love and this political war.
“The route we have chosen is in a sense the dark side. We emphasize the negative,” he said.
(KDKA) JOHNSTOWN Ahead in the polls but under attack by critics for his stance on the war in Iraq, Congressman John Murtha held a rally today for his re-election.
He defended his position on the war.
The former Marine brought out some heavy political artillery for ground support.
“Let me tell you that, in my view, Jack Murtha's critics don't know Jack,” said Sen. Bob Kerrey, a Medal of Honor winner.
“I'm up here for Jack Murtha. He is a great man, he is your congressman. And he is one of America's real heroes,” said Gen. Wesley Clark, former NATO supreme commander.
Considered a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker, and one who could work with the other side of the aisle, Murtha has come under attack after he criticized Marines accused of atrocities against Iraqi civilians and saying the war was militarily unable to be won.
“This is a failed policy, wrapped in illusion,” Murtha said.
But supporters of the war disagree.
“We have first information of guys coming back from Iraq, saying, you got to get rid of this guy Murtha,” said Larry Bailey, a Navy Seal who went to Vietnam.
He’s behind a rally planned for Sunday, calling for Murtha’s ousting from congress. Murtha’s comments about Marines’ accused atrocities sent Bailey on a mission.
“It wasn't just because he said that. He was doing that in context of advancing his own political career, now being the tip of the spear of the anti-war movement,” Bailey said.
Bailey acknowledges Murtha was a past friend of the military but says that was then, this is now and all’s fair in love and this political war.
“The route we have chosen is in a sense the dark side. We emphasize the negative,” he said.