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Influential House Democrat Wants Immediate Iraq Withdrawal
NY Times:"It is time for a change in direction," said Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania, the leading Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee. "Our military is suffering, the future of our country is at risk." Mr. Murtha, a conservative who voted in 2002 for the resolution authorizing use of force in Iraq and who supported the Persian Gulf war in 1991, called for "the immediate redeployment of American forces." "It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf region," Mr. Murtha said during an emotional news conference on Capitol Hill. His remarks were quickly denounced by House Republicans as defeatist and wrongheaded. ----- Representative Kay Granger of Texas, a Republican member of the Appropriation's defense subcommittee who appeared with Mr. Hunter, said a quick withdrawal from Iraq would break faith with America's troops. As for the Americans killed in Iraq, she said, a withdrawal would mean "their lives have been lost in vain." Earlier, Ms. Granger called Mr. Murtha's remarks "reprehensible and irresponsible," according to The Associated Press. "It shows the Democratic Party has chosen a policy of retreat and defeatism which will only encourage the terrorists and threaten the stability of Iraq," she said, according to The A.P. Mr. Murtha's demeanor and personal history as well as his status on the Appropriations Committee may lend extra weight to his words. He generally shuns publicity and does not often speak on the House floor. ------ After serving in the Marines in the early 1950's, he re-enlisted in 1966, at the age of 34, and served in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry, according to The Almanac of American Politics. When he won his House seat in a special election in February 1974 he became the first Vietnam veteran to serve in Congress. From his backgroud, he sounds like an old-school Democrat, the kind I used to vote for before the weenies highjacked the party. Wonder why he's pushing for an "immediate" withdrawal, though - it seems like that would send a message of weakness to our enemies, plus dishonor the sacrifice of our fallen warriors. Posted by: Glaviling Ebbosing9255 2005-11-17 |
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