NY Times Delivers Front Page Murtha-Basher

The political winds have shifted - Murtha was a hero about to be "Swift-boated" at CBS - but the NY Times buries Congressman Jack Murtha as a king of pork who routinely delivers Democratic votes to help Republicans pass closely contested bills. 

A possible motivation - despite his anti-war stance, proper progressives are not lining up behind Murtha's bid to move up to House Majority Leader if Pelosi becomes the next Speaker.  Here we go from the Times:

Trading Votes for Pork Across the House Aisle

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 — For more than a decade, Representative John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania has operated a political trading post in a back corner of the House of Representatives.

A gang of about two dozen Democrats mill around his seat. A procession of others walk back to request pet spending projects, known as earmarks. And Republicans come by, asking him to enlist some of those Democrats to join them on close votes. “Whether they get what they want in the bill or they get the votes they are looking for, nobody ever leaves completely disappointed,” said Representative Paul E. Kanjorski, a Pennsylvania Democrat often found in what is known as the Murtha corner.

Outside Washington, Mr. Murtha, a Vietnam veteran and longtime hawk, may be best known for his break with the president over the Iraq war last fall. But inside the Capitol, he is best known for turning earmarks into power. As the top Democrat on the House military spending subcommittee, he often delivers Democratic votes to Republican leaders in a tacit exchange for earmarks for himself and his allies.

In the last year, Democratic and Republican floor watchers say, Mr. Murtha has helped Republicans round up enough Democratic votes to narrowly block a host of Democratic proposals: to investigate federal contracting fraud in Iraq, to reform lobbying laws, to increase financing for flood control, to add $150 million for veterans’ health care and job training, and to exempt middle-class families from the alternative minimum tax.

In one case that particularly irked Democratic partisans, Mr. Murtha led three others in voting against a politically vulnerable Louisiana Democrat’s proposal to divert money intended to be spent on base closings to research prosthetic limbs for veterans. It failed by one vote.

For their “nays” on that and other matters, all four Democrats were rewarded. In the weeks after the vote, they claimed credit for a total of more than $250 million in earmarks in the 2006 appropriations bills. Mr. Murtha alone brought home about $80 million for his district and $120 million for his state, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group that tracks such projects.

   

Murtha gets his power from an old reform adopted by the Democrats and preserved by the Republicans which gives him great power over defense appropriations:

After becoming chairman of the defense spending panel in 1989, Mr. Murtha imposed a new discipline. Previously, the House often debated defense spending bills, which account for about half of federal discretionary spending, for weeks of contentious amendments and speeches, both in the committee and on the floor. Most Democrats often voted against the measures. “It took day after day after day,” Mr. Murtha recalled.

Not any more. Mr. Murtha installed a new system that the Republicans have continued: the chairman and ranking member work out the details behind closed doors, pack the bill with plenty of earmarks, and link future projects for members to their support for the bill. The appropriations committee now typically debates and approves the bill in less than eight minutes and the full House in less than half an hour. (The $437 billion measure passed last week took under 20 minutes.)

“The defense community has some presence in almost every Congressional district — or so long as you vote for the bill, it does,” said Mr. Moran, the Virginia Democrat. Mr. Murtha would “see to it” that members understood that those with earmarks in the bill who considered voting against it “better set their sights lower the next time,” Mr. Moran said.

On the vote-trading:

Mr. Murtha leans right on abortion rights and gun control but left on labor, tax and economic issues. And he consistently opposes ethics reform or disclosure requirements, including a proposal this year that would have required lawmakers to sign their names to earmarks, on the grounds that voters police lawmakers’ actions.

He has sided with Republicans 169 times on close votes since 1994, more often than all but three of the most conservative Democrats. Many of those votes have been on nonideological but politically pivotal questions. For example, Mr. Murtha has often led members from his corner crowd to vote for procedural rules that limit potential amendments or debate on Republican bills — votes that typically follow party loyalty.

Dick Armey, a former Republican majority leader, said his party’s strategists would often tell him, “Murtha will get us some votes.”

The mandatory whiff of scandal is provided by Murtha's involvement with Concurrent Technologies Corporation:

Mr. Murtha’s patronage has transformed Johnstown into a national hub of the defense business, attracting giants like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. He even built one contractor from scratch. In 1988, Mr. Murtha asked the chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh to set up a nonprofit that could use Navy money to establish a Center for Excellence in Metalworking in Johnstown.

Since then, Mr. Murtha has delivered earmarks to the organization, now called Concurrent Technologies Corporation, for work like consulting on counterterrorism, designing ejection seats for pilots and developing software. The military and other federal agencies have paid Concurrent nearly a billion dollars in grants and contracts since 1999. In the most recent defense bill, Mr. Murtha inserted $1.3 million for Concurrent to research Army tank designs.

“It is Murtha’s pet rock,” said Stephen Gage, chief executive of an Ohio economic development organization that once worked with Concurrent.

Concurrent’s executives, in turn, have given more than $114,000 to the congressman’s campaigns over the last three elections, making it one of his biggest corporate donors. The organization pays about $500,000 a year to a lobbying firm, the PMA Group, whose executives and clients have given Mr. Murtha more than $1.2 million in donations since 1999.

Mr. Murtha’s brother, Kit, recently retired from a smaller lobbying firm, KSA Consulting, that sought defense earmarks and represented many companies in Mr. Murtha’s district. From 1998 through 2003, he received more contributions from military contractors than has any other member of the House, according to the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan group.

So why is the Times hitting us with this just now?  I have no idea, but- Murtha's hat is in the ring to become the next House Majority Leader if Nancy Pelosi becomes the next Speaker, but, per this recent Hill article, progressives are opposed:

Liberal House Democrats are not lining up behind Rep. Jack Murtha’s (D-Pa.) leadership candidacy in the numbers he had hoped despite his outspoken stance against the Iraq war.

Murtha’s failure to line up staunch opponents of the war could prove a blow to his hope of denying the majority leadership to Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) in the event of a Democratic takeover of the House in the 110th Congress.

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), a friend of Murtha who has been helping him with the race, said tepid support among some progressives was a worry to him. “It does concern you when people you think are going to be with you turn out not to be. Some of that’s cultural issues, guns and abortion,” he said. “But we still have the votes.”

Liberal Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Diane Watson (D-Calif.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) are all backing Hoyer even though many admire Murtha’s stance on the war. All but Lewis opposed Hoyer in a 2001 leadership race against House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Some liberals believe Murtha’s record on social issues is too conservative, especially on such topics as gun rights, gay marriage and abortion. Others avow that they are happy with Hoyer’s performance as minority whip and want to maintain the status quo in their leadership.

Personally, my advice would be to engage in this bitter internecine warfare after the election, but carry on.

Comments

[Neo]

There is already jocking for the best offices.

[Semanticleo]

Like we don't know how DC greases the wheels
of government. Anyone who doesn't like it should eliminate Lobbyists and go to publicly-
funded elections. The only way you're gonna get the corruption out is to remove the corrupting influences.

[Rick Ballard]

Do you take the stupid pills with water or milk, Tic? Assuming, of course, that any artificial aids are necessary.

[boris]

Actually I've heard that cleo drinks dummy juice. It's made from straw.

[Sue]

How did the NYTs and progressives get away with criticizing a VIETNAM WAR VET?

[Semanticleo]

Coming from you idiots, that is a compliment.

[Florence Schmieg]

Before every election, the NY Times goes into full campaign mode. You can always see the lie of the land in the Democratic party there. They will now destroy Murtha as previously they destroyed Howard Dean. Don't know yet if it is Pelosi or Hoyer they favor but that should become apparent soon. I still think it won't matter in the long run. Even with this Foley debacle, I feel the Republicans won't lose control but they sure are trying hard to. And expect the Times to do everything within their power to insure they do.

[Rick Ballard]

Sue,

It has to be read with an understanding of what will be necessary when the Beast of Chapaqua enters the presidential lists in January. The Times now has a bit of cover of the 'look, we're evenhanded' nature for their planned attack on McCain. In the unlikely event that the Dems take the House, the Beast wants only trustworthy libs at the top, with "trustworthy" being much more important than "lib". Murtha doesn't bend a knee quite quickly enough to suit her holiness.

[maryrose]

Pelosi better hold off measuring for curtains because she'll be sitting in the minority for the next two years. Recent efforts to trash Hastert will come to naught. They thought they accomplished something by sidelining DeLay an unforgivable slander, but in the end they will be hoisted on their own petard.

[clarice feldman]

How will the nutroots like that?

My friend on the ground has been saying she thinks Ivey is in good position to defeat Murtha BTW..He's been playing hardball to get Pelosi's spot in the mythical Dem takeover while Ivey's been building support in his fiefdom. The local papaers have covered for him--hiding his most controversial stuff from the hometowners, but his Haditha remarks have soured his voters--an old fashioned sort of Dem constituency(patriotic, support the troops) .

[maryrose]

Rick:
"Beast of Chappaqua"
LOL. I still contend she is unelectable. Her 47% negatives are just too high. Besides I think there are many dems who would like it if Bill and Hil just went away.

[Sara (Squiggler)]

“Murtha wants to “chat up” the enemy,
go hat-in-hand to Osama bin Laden.
But if you go hat-in-hand, you better be prepared to leave with your head in your hat in your hand.”
-- David Beamer, Boot Murtha Rally keynote speaker

--------------------

Murtha used gov’t Veterans Affairs Office
to promote, bus vets into his political rally

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Rep. John Murtha’s campaign contacted and used a government Veterans Affairs Office to promote his campaign's political rally – held Sat., Sept. 30 in Johnstown, PA.

Rally promotional materials for Congressman Murtha’s campaign event list John Panichella as head of the Westmoreland County Veterans Affairs Office and give his courthouse office telephone number for contact purposes. Panichella used his office in the courthouse to arrange bussing veterans to the campaign event.

------------------

Murtha admits ABSCAM guilt
on Wolf Blitzer show -

the same day the full 54-minute FBI sting surveillance tape hit the internet

Last Friday, Murtha’s 26-year ABSCAM lie abruptly ended – the same day the full 54-minute FBI sting surveillance tape hit the internet. Appearing on CNN’s Wolf Blitzer’s show that night, Murtha made this admission of guilt:

"They offered me $50,000." [LINK to transcript]

House ethics rules require members to immediately report any bribe offers to the FBI. Murtha was offered a $50,000 bribe in 1980. Did he report it? No. He lied:

"I did not consider that any money was offered." – Murtha, 1980 [LINK]

Murtha then lied to 1980 House Ethics Committee member Don Bailey, who in turn convinced the Committee (barely) not to file charges against Murtha -- a decision Bailey now deeply regrets. [LINK]

Twenty-six years ago, that admission would have brought charges against Murtha. Twenty-six years ago, that truth would have ended Congressman Murtha’s political career.

With the truth now out, the question remains: will Murtha remain in office?
----------------------

Stephanopoulos to Murtha: "Democrats are worried about your leadership"

Congressman John Murtha was questioned this morning by Sunday morning talk show host George Stephanopoulos regarding his announcement Friday that he is again campaigning for House Majority Leader. Stephanopoulos said Democrats are worried about his leadership. The reason? Murtha's questionable ethics.

Stephanopoulos cited ABSCAM and tens of millions of Defense contract dollars going to the KSI lobbying firm of Murtha's brother as reason for Democrats' concern.

For full articles, see: BootMurtha.com

[Sara (Squiggler)]

Twenty Reasons not to vote for Jack Murtha

1. Murtha wants to Cut and Run from Iraq. This has already proven deadly for America:

Osama bin Laden cites the Cut and Run from Somalia (1993) as the main reason he believed al Qaida could strike the U.S. with impunity. Cut and Run is wrong now in Iraq for the same reasons. read

2. Murtha demoralizes our troops during war with his public statements: read, read

3. Murtha aligns with & accepts awards from radical, anti-military, soldiers-harassing organizations:

Code Pink/Murtha photo-op, accepting their award: here
MFSO/Murtha photo-op, in Washington, D.C.: here

4. Murtha stonewalls constituents who are Iraq War veterans: read, read

5. Murtha called Marines 'cold blooded" murderers prior to completion of an investigation:

read, read, read

6. Murtha says he would not join the military today, nor should others: read

7. Murtha voted for re-instituting the draft: read

8. Murtha says it "doesn't matter" if PA's overseas service members vote, declines to help.

9. Murtha lies about military recruitment not meeting its goals: read

10. Murtha refuses to sponsor the Stolen Valor Bill, which exposes phony war heroes: read, read, read

11. Murtha himself questions his military medals, refuses to release his military records: read

12. Murtha repeatedly slips Congressional pay and honoraria limit increases into bills: read

Since 1995, John Murtha has voted 11 straight times in favor of raising his own pay.

13. Murtha voted against securing our borders: vote results

14. Murtha voted against protecting the Pledge of Allegiance: read

15. Murtha voted for stem cell research, which destroys live human embryos: read

16. Murtha gutted and weakened our military as Chairman of the Defense Committee: read

17. Murtha loots the Defense Budget with non-military spending earmarks, then complains
there's not enough money for body armor for our troops: read

18. Murtha's blatant cronyism shovels millions of Defense $ to his brother, friends, colleagues:

$20 million to his brother in 2004 [read]
Millions to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's nephew [read]
Millions to PA Rep. Paul Kanjorski's kids [read]

19. Murtha is the top beneficiary of defense campaign donations: read

20. Murtha pushed for premature 2003 deployment of the Stryker vehicle to Iraq without proper testing, resulting in the needless deaths of soldiers: read, read

[JM Hanes]

Sara:

As Senator Byrd has demonstrated time & again, it's tough to defeat a guy who brings home major bacon. I don't think the Times was intentionally burying the lede here, but unfortunately they made it pretty clear just how much bacon we're talking about in Murtha's case. I sure hope Irey can pull off an upset, and I've sent my $$ in, but it will take a David & Goliath moment to do it. I'm not sure she's got a big enough stone to sling.

Is there a Murtha/Irey debate on the schedule? Murtha would be insane to agree, because he often fumbles even the softball questions he gets handed on air. I haven't been keeping up on the details, but I think pushing really hard for debates would be a win/win for Irey. She can either make major hay out of a Murtha refusal or make mincemeat of the Congressman himself on stage.

[clarice feldman]

JMH, For what it's worth my boots on the ground source says Irey is going to beat him (and that's not in any calculations I've seen of the election results.)

[Sara (Squiggler)]

JMH -- Well Murtha held a rally in J-town on Saturday and had about 200 show up, Irey held a rally on Sunday and had over a thousand. Murtha had Gov. Rendell and Wesley Clark, Irey had dozens of Gold Star parents, 9/11 victims, and lots and lots and lots of Vets. The overall press coverage everywhere, not just the Times, has changed drastically in tone in the last month and not to Murtha's credit. Irey is raising money hand over fist, but Murtha, unfortunately, started with a war chest so big, she has no hope of ever catching up money-wise. But Murtha's legal problems may bury him. Irey has asked for Justice Dept. probe on his using earmarks as campaign promises and he is dirty on that. Now the full ABSCAM video that shows he has been lying thru his teeth for 25 years, it all hurts.

See: http://www.irey.com.

The Murtha Must Go site, http://www.murthamustgo.com deals with Murtha's terrible relations he has with the military community today.

http://bootmurtha.com deals more with his financial dirty dealings. Both sites are brutal when it comes to Jack Murtha.

Just about the only people supporting Murtha today are those in Code Pink and the Sheehanistas.

[JM Hanes]

Make it so!

[maryrose]

Re:
Murtha:
what goes around comes around. Notoriety comes with a price. His 15 minutes are almost up. He probably should have stayed below the radar if he wanted to survive as a
congressman.

[clarice feldman]

I don't think the Dems saw this coming and now that he's creating internal agita, I wonder if they will do all they can to help him.

It's a longshot but the local press' lipsticking this pig is not enought this time. I have hopes for Irey.

[Sara (Squiggler)]

The way I see it, there are two groups of people in senior leadership today. Senior being those in their fifties and sixties.

Group One are those who belonged to the flowerchild and sit-in groups of the '60s. Those who demonstrated violently against the Vietnam War and caused us to withdraw in shame. These are the same people who when in their own youth were spitting on, throwing garbage at, and doing everything they could to make military men and women ashamed of who they were and the mission they were honorably trying to fulfill.

Group Two are those who were part of that military, their families, children, etc. They are also those who despite the sex-drugs-rock'n'roll mindset of the peaceniks and socialists, were trying to finish school or make stable family lives.

Now all those over-the-hill hippies are members of Code Pink and can be found at any anti-war demonstration. They want us to fail otherwise, their miserable lives have no meaning. They may show up in business suits, but they are still members of the great unwashed underneath. If they were soldiers, they were Winter Soldiers.

Group One can not abide having Group Two succeed today. By succeeding, Group Two makes it crystal clear what cowards Group One really are. It makes the shame of deserting our military in Vietnam all the more shameful.

Murtha may have served, but he is a Winter Soldier. He disgusts me.

[Neo]

The skinny on Murtha wasn't so much him, but his brother who is a lobbyist for a number for defense contractors.

Since when has a senior member on Arms Appro said bad things about this war or any war ? When the war isn't generating the need for the kinds of logistic items that his district (to be kind) or his brother's buddies are selling.

This is the mirror of the whole Haliburton "evil conspiracy" stik, but with a Democratic face.

Personally, I must say that Murtha has had everybody going. What a smooth operator.

[Sadie]

I hate to throw cold water on this discussion. Buuuuttt,
Does anyone here live in Murtha's District?
My sister who does live there says there is no chance for Irey. All of the union people will vote dem and for Murtha - 80% of these voters are union members or union families.

[clarice feldman]

Redstate says she's really closing the gap and has the momentum. My friend on the ground says she's going to win. Thoaw Dems are old-fashioned conservative Dems who were unaware of Murtha's more outrageous moves and the local papers have been covering for him.