This Murtha Moment





Frankly we can't figure out why anone would want to kneecap that big, fuzzy wuzzy red eared Congressman John "Jack" Murtha. Murtha looks like he wants to take the whole world fishing. He fairly reeks of gradfatherly lovingkindness (the not entirely unpleasant fragrance of mothballs and sadness). he speaks for military veterans.

But he has, of late, been the Democratic Party's frontman on the war. And, what's more, he is Nancy Pelosi's beloved right-hand man. So, fo course, this leaves him vulnerable to "Swift Boating." According to KDKA:

"The congressional campaign in the 12th district heated up over the weekend.

"That's the seat held by Congressman John Murtha -- a strong military man who attracted national attention when he called for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

"That has brought a lot of attention to the local congressman.

"They call it swift-boating -- telling untruths about military veterans and their service to this country and now Murtha thinks he's the victim.

"'We're tired of swift-boating in America,' said Former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland. 'It stops right here in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.'

"On Saturday, supporters of Murtha, the outspoken former marine, rallied in Johnstown and accused his opponents of distorting his record.

"'Of course, he's going to be target,' said Gen. Wesley Clark, a former NATO Supreme Commander. 'This guy has laid his life on the line for us and our country. And we're not going to let any swift boaters, shrimp boaters, or anybody else take out after Jack Murtha. He's our guy.'"

Murtha is in a two-front war. Aside from keeping his seat, he is battling a difficult race to become -- should the Dems win the House in November -- the Majority Leader. This past Sunday, he went on the offensive on the talking head shows trying to nationalize the Mark Foley pedophile fiasco, which may or may not solidify the votes he needs to achieve Majority Leader. Wesley Clark, of course, is running hard to become either Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense under the next Democratic Party President.