CNN: Murtha faces little backlash from constituents

[DeepModem Mom]

Murtha faces little backlash from constituents
From Mark Preston
CNN Washington Bureau
Tuesday, November 22, 2005


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The combination of a distinguished military career and an ability to deliver federal dollars to his western Pennsylvania district is shielding Democratic Rep. John Murtha from criticism back home over his recent assessment of the Iraq War.

Even a Republican official in Murtha's district acknowledged Monday that Murtha would easily win re-election next year.

"I think Jack is a good guy," said Robert Gleason, chairman of the Cambria County Republican Committee. "He has helped our community. He has been the king of appropriations. He has gotten a lot of great things here. This town would be a ghost town without him."

Since his arrival in Congress more than 30 years ago, Murtha has helped blunt the loss of the steel industry by pumping federal dollars into his district as a powerful member of the House Appropriations Committee. He has also been a hawk on military matters, reflecting the strong patriotic nature of this southwestern corner of the state.

That changed last week when Murtha called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq over a six-month period....


http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/22/murtha.reax/index.html

[tll]

1. nitpicking

"... hawk on military matters, reflecting the strong patriotic nature of this southwestern corner of the state"

Eeeargh!!

[existentialist]

2. contrariwise

Schmidt seems to be taking a lot of flack, including at home, including among some Republicans.

[Imalittleteapot]

3. "So, people are naturally willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."

Wonder why it didn't occur to Mark Preston that perhaps Murtha's constituents agree with him.

[vicman]

4. Yes

this story simply feeds into the MSM prevailing "wisdom" that the reaction to his words is the real story, thus negating any discussion of what he ACTUALLY said, or bringing up any real debate over his very reasoned ideas. Murtha has stood up admirably to this MSM crap and is trying hard to open a debate this nation desperately needs to have.

[pfitz59]

5. Shitty headline.....

Why should he be "back-lashed" for DOING NOTHING WRONG! Asshole media scum framing the news!

[bluedawg12]

6. Negative head line, should say Murtha gains support for his views.

Negative headlines are like a backhanded compliment.

[NYC Liberal]

7. I want to see how Schmidt is doing in her district.

[Upfront]

8. He is right!

Why would there be a backlash?

[Spazito]

9. This is appalling in it's slant, imo

There is nothing about him being an honest, honorable man whom his constituents trust. It is all about bringing home the pork, etc. Watching Murtha on CSPAN and on the various talk shows, he struck me immediately as a no nonsense, honest man and I can't help but believe I am not unlike his constituents in that way.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. And why would he receive backlash

for telling the truth?

[Spazito]

11. Exactly, he IS representing his constituents by reflecting their concerns

about the Iraq war and forcing the truth to be brought out.

[leesa]

12. Good. Thank you Pennsylvania, for standing up for a hero

I don't like hawks (unnatural ones, that is), but they can learn too.

The criticisms the whore CNN reported were from the White House and the GOP. The people of Pennsylvania seem to be smart enough to support him.

[depakid]

13. CNN's premise:

Murtha (and anyone like him) should expect backlash for speaking the truth and/or coming to rational conclusions.

After all- we'd muzzle or fire any "reporter" who dared to do that on our network.

CNN is insidious- its manipulation of language is far worse than anything Fox does with its overt lies and distortions.