Murtha commands spotlight over Iraq policy

Murtha commands spotlight over Iraq policy
A veteran backbencher becomes an anti-war movement darling

Amid the media frenzy over U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha's proposal to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq at the earliest practical date, the Pennsylvania Democrat got an interview request from an unusual source. He told an aide that he'd just gotten off the phone with Rolling Rock. "The beer company, Congressman?" the puzzled aide asked.

"No, that magazine all the kids read," he replied. The magazine, of course, was Rolling Stone. Few of his colleagues would have made that mistake in a town where most politicians covet press attention. And for some, the story spoke to the authenticity of a congressman who has long preferred a backstage role. That changed Nov. 18, when the Johnstown Democrat, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and legislative hawk, moved debate over the war in Iraq to the top of Washington's agenda by saying it was time for the United States to start pulling out.

The man described by another top Democrat, U.S. Rep. David Obey, of Wisconsin, as someone "who likes to get things done with virtually no spoken words," has become a regular on the news talk shows. He has become a celebrity in blogosphere. One blogger recently dubbed him as the "anti-war movement's new darling," while others have begun picking apart the millions of dollars he has channeled back to his district.

Mr. Murtha's media omnipresence has opened him up to sometimes unmerciful ribbing from friends such as U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Swissvale. They have chuckled over his adjustments to prime time, most recently, his horror when a television producer tried to coax him into wearing makeup, and warned him about overexposure. But this very public role is one Mr. Murtha is taking seriously. "It's not about me, but I've become the spokesperson," he said in an interview last week during a break from negotiations over defense spending legislation. "There wasn't even a debate before, they just went blindly on. ... But we're starting to get the attention of the thoughtful people."

After the initial interview, the photographer for Rolling Stone showed up for the shoot and tried to wrap him in an American flag. Mr. Murtha's aide nearly jumped out of her chair at the request, but the congressman quietly said, no, he wasn't going to do that.

rest of the article
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05360/628068.stm

Thank God for Murtha.

The Rolling Rock part was great. Actually, Rolling Stone wrote a very good article about him in their latest edition. They are talking about "Mavericks", and he's one of them.

I'm sure thankful to have him as my rep.

Just you wait......

That was sweet. It shows he's about the reason and not the publicity and all that. :)

Historians will look back on the sorid war for profit plundering of Iraq and point to Murtha's statement as a turning point that began to make "moderate" and "conservative" heads turn. He was the voice of reason that shook that little voice in their heads that told them privately that this war wasn't a good thing and kicked it up to the active level. Many are confused about how this mess should end and how one can separate their support for the grunts as opposed to contempt for their "leaders", but a growing majority now believes this illegal invasion is wrong. Congressman Murtha crossed a big breach...his credibility shone in a time when the powers-that-be look more and more crooked and inept.