Murtha: 'Nooo...This Could Look Like A Victory'

[Annie]

http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200601060811.asp

January 06, 2006, 8:11 a.m.
Murtha Fears a Withdrawal that “Makes It Look Like There’s a Victory”
The antiwar congressman speaks out — again.

Representative John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has come to national prominence since his call for a quick withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, said Thursday night that he worries about "a slow withdrawal which makes it look like there's a victory."

Appearing at a town meeting in Arlington, Virginia, with fellow Democratic Rep. James Moran, Murtha said, "A year ago, I said we can't win this militarily, and I got all kinds of criticism." Now, Murtha told the strongly antiwar audience, "I worry about a slow withdrawal which makes it look like there's a victory when I think it should be a redeployment as quickly as possible and let the Iraqis handle the whole thing."

The meeting, which attracted an overflow crowd, was promoted by the Internet activist group MoveOn.org, which said that "Congressman Moran has extended a special invitation to MoveOn members in his district and nearby." It was also promoted on some antiwar websites like afterdowningstreet.org. War supporters organized by the conservative freerepublic.com demonstrated outside.

Murtha said he has told some Democrats who are considering a run for president that they are missing an opportunity by declining to call for a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. "A number of senators who are running for president have called me," Murtha said. "And I told them there's only two policies. That's the policy of redeployment, which I've suggested, and the president's policy — stay the course is not a policy. And you folks, you're in between, you're missing an opportunity to show leadership. If you want to run for president, you can show leadership."

The loudest, longest applause of the evening came not after any statement by Murtha or Moran but after a member of the audience said that "Bush and his cronies" had been "criminally negligent" in the run-up to the war in Iraq. "My question is simple," the man continued. "With this criminal negligence going on, why shouldn't you impeach Bush/Cheney?"

"I tell you, I get a lot of letters just like that," Murtha said. But he did not answer the question, turning instead to the enthusiastic reception he has received after taking his antiwar stance. Moran, however, took the issue straight on.

"I don't think impeachment is the right course of action," he said. "We have a democracy, and the right course of action is to express yourself at the polls."

"I voted against President Clinton's impeachment," Moran continued. "I think impeachment is inconsistent with the democratic process. And the other fact is, it's not going to happen. Congress is controlled by the Republican party. This is a moot issue."

Later, as he was leaving the meeting, Murtha was asked about impeachment by National Review Online. "At this point, we just don't have enough information," he said. "I'm very hesitant, even with Nixon, to support impeachment until I see the facts. And I just don't see enough facts to support impeachment at this point."

Asked whether he would support an impeachment inquiry, Murtha continued: "Well, I'm not even sure that I have enough facts to support that at this point. There's only one reason for impeachment as far as I'm concerned, and that's treason and treasonous acts. That's very complicated, not something I can answer. I hesitated to say anything about Nixon until the very end when I heard the tapes, so that's not something I would say anything about at this stage."

 

[Stephanie]

I've lost all respect for this military person, who would sell out his own military service for a political position. The heck if he served. You can not guilt me into not saying I wouldn't #$##@ out of him(if he was younger). I work for the military and I would fight for them, as well as for my country. Here goes my pc right out the door, but Murtha make's me sick. Another sell out Wesley(the weasel) Clark.
Gosh I'm in a bad mood tonight.... sheesh. :spank3:

 

[Annie]

I've lost all respect for this military person, who would sell out his own military service for a political position. The heck if he served. You can not guilt me into not saying I wouldn't #$##@ out of him(if he was younger). I work for the military and I would fight for them, as well as for my country. Here goes my pc right out the door, but Murtha make's me sick. Another sell out Wesley(the weasel) Clark.
Gosh I'm in a bad mood tonight.... sheesh. :spank3:

I can't imagine any American, much less a member of Congress, that would basically say, "I want the US to look like they've lost..."

 

[rtwngAvngr]

What a pathetic loser Murtha is.

 

[Avatar4321]

Yeah heaven forbid a victory actually look like a victory.

Seriously how do these politicians survive in the military?

 

[NATO AIR]

I have egg all over my face, if not worse.

I thought this idiot was a man of principles, no matter my disagreements with them.

It turns out, he has no such principles, nor anything resembling honor. Here he is recently saying he wouldn't join the military of today, he doesn't agree with it and thinks its bad.

To hell with this bastard... send him to Iraq on a USO mission and then abandon him in the wrong part of town. We'll see where his "feelings" get him then.

 

[Annie]

I have egg all over my face, if not worse.

I thought this idiot was a man of principles, no matter my disagreements with them.

It turns out, he has no such principles, nor anything resembling honor. Here he is recently saying he wouldn't join the military of today, he doesn't agree with it and thinks its bad.

To hell with this bastard... send him to Iraq on a USO mission and then abandon him in the wrong part of town. We'll see where his "feelings" get him then.

Hey my son,
Congrats on getting substantial linkage on the awful story out of Japan re your shipmate. Take care, there could be repercussions on that one.

 

[Gunny]

I've lost all respect for this military person, who would sell out his own military service for a political position. The heck if he served. You can not guilt me into not saying I wouldn't #$##@ out of him(if he was younger). I work for the military and I would fight for them, as well as for my country. Here goes my pc right out the door, but Murtha make's me sick. Another sell out Wesley(the weasel) Clark.
Gosh I'm in a bad mood tonight.... sheesh. :spank3:

He is NOT a military man. He is a Democrat politician serving in Congress, and THAT is how he should be addressed. I'm sick of seeing "37 year Marine vet Murtha." He is not making statements in the capacity of a Marine, nor representing the US Marine Corps. He most definitely is not indicative of the general attitude of any US Marines I ever knew.

And criticizing him as a Democrat Representative to the House is NOT an indictment against his service, and it is that myth the left keeps perpetuating I am sick of.

IF the left wants to drum up his service, then I want one simple question answered by "Col" Murtha ....

How could a Marine Col even consider, much less speak such a strategically STUPID plan? Marines do not retreat when they're losing, much less when they're winning, and Marines do not walk off without finishing what they started.

Now THAT is an indictment against his service, and his ability to lead as a Marine.