Pros and Cons about John Murtha as Majority Leader:

As soon as he announced his intent to throw his hat in the ring as Majority Leader some cheered, some sneered.

Yes, he's down on the disasterous Iraq war, yes, he's down on Bush, but I hear every positive point shot down with negative ones. He's too old and established, he's too military, he's too brash, he makes us look bad, etc.

I'd like to hear more DU opinion on this proposed run for Majority Leader by Murtha, pro and con.

John Murtha is an honorable man. If you don't agree with him on all points, I believe you can count on him for honesty, a fair hearing, and to take a stand when times are tough. How does that make us look bad? We have a fighter in our midst and sometimes you need someone to fight. Yes, he has been in the military, as have many of our family members. What I hear him saying is that he understands the terrible tragedy of war and that it is truly a last resort. And he cares about our nation.

Not me though, I admire the guy.

I've not heard anybody say Murtha makes Dems look bad. What are people talking about when they say that?

Hell I don't know, I like the guy just for being brutal and honest and not concerned about being popular.

And of course, the other side calls him every vile name in the book, coward, defeatist, etc., but of course I don't give a crap what they call him or us.

Those are the exact reasons I wouldn't want him as Majority Leader, but I wouldn't say he'd make Dems look bad. That's what confused me.

on some issues....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2670815

IMO - which is becoming less and less humble - DEMs as a group need to stop looking for that PERFECT candidate. They all have warts - get over it!

Unlike certain prominent Democrats, I can say "John Murtha" and "leadership" in the same sentence and keep a straight face.

It's up to the congresscritters to choose their leaders. Is Murtha a good spokesman? Is he skilled at building consensus and coalitions? These are some of the things they'll be looking at. The position has as much or more to do with political and interpersonal skills as political philosophy. In many ways it's a highly technical job.

I have not agreed with him on many issues in the past. However, he would bring a respectability to that position that has been missing for many, many years, as well as to the image of Democratic leaders in Congress. He doesn't play the games that many do now. He does what he says and says what he means. Yes, he can be brash. But you always know where he stands, so you don't have to worry about any ulterior motives.

I wish he were more liberal, but I would rather have someone to the right of my own ideology who I would respect rather than someone to the left who would back down when the going gets tough.

I also think that his age is helpful in that, if we do regain Congress and retain power for an extended period of time, we know that his stay there won't be for too long. In that time he could bring national credibility to our Democratic Party, which would help in the next presidential election. And possibly after four or six years when he is ready to retire, someone a little more liberal will be ready to fill that position.

Of course, his position on the war and his disdain for how the republicans have run the executive branch would be extremely beneficial in the short term. He could call for multiple investigations on all of the illegal crap going on, and the right-wing controlled press would have a hard time labeling him as some left-wing liberal nut out to destroy America and make us less safe from terrorists. (of course they will still try)

In fact when he makes his anti war points, they are all the more credible.

http://www.ontheissues.org/PA/John_Murtha.htm

I appreciate his stand on Iraq and would prefer him to Hoyer, but let's look at the whole guy.

anything else?

Just because he has finally come out against the killing in Iraq does not mean he would be good for us or America. He has been a War Monger his whole career and I doubt that is going to change much. The only reason he wants us out of Iraq is because he thinks we are losing and not because he thinks we were wrong in going there in the first place. He was quite proud of his vote to begin the killing spree we have been on. We will not advance any Progressive causes by lurching farther to the right.

Of course, he's as right wing as it gets.....anti-choice, pro-school prayer; he even co-sponsored an anti-flag burning amendment to the Constitution with Duke Cunningham.

:shrug:

Don't flatter yourself. :D

How are those discussions of the Progressive Democrats platform issues going? I notice you've really set the board on fire with those (snicker)...

within threads whenever you ask for them, instead of in new threads to which you never respond. I just haven't seen you ask lately. Have I missed a request?

Not even the progressive purists here give two shits about the PDA.....

and I wasn't posting for the benefit of the people who already knew about them. If one's audience isn't interested in honest answers to their questions, I don't see the point in starting a bunch of new threads to provide those answers.

Murtha voted no on CAFTA.

...like him more than the other candidates for majority leader, but it amounts to nothing unless the democrats actually take control of the house. Until then, this talk is premature and possibly bad luck.