Is Murtha An Ethics Blight For Democrats?

Questions Surround Speaker Pelosi's Choice For House Majority Leader

(CBS/AP)  In the House, a bitter battle is under way after Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would prefer Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania to be majority leader over her current lieutenant, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland. Critics accused Pelosi of backpedaling on a pledge to scrub the House of corruption.

The Democrats, after all, ran against what they called Republicans' "culture of corruption" this election cycle, CBS News' Capitol Hill reporter Evelyn Thomas observes.

Democrats also said they wanted to stop the avalanche of earmarks, which are inserted into bills just before they are voted on and which members often don't know about. Murtha is a very big believer in earmarks for his district and brings home lots of pork, Thomas says.

Murtha, a decorated Vietnam veteran who favors an immediate drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq, has also fought charges for years of using his senior status on the Defense Appropriations subcommittee to award favors to campaign contributors. He voted against a Democratic package of ethics reforms earlier this year and was touched by — but never charged in — the Abscam bribery scandal a quarter-century ago.

CBS News Capitol Hill reporter Allison Davis explains that the Ethics Committee cannot investigate an allegation of anything that occurred more than three Congresses ago. Since Murtha's supposed involvement in the Abscam sting doesn't fall within those time limits, it might not be as much of a sticking point in his candidacy for House Majority Leader as one might think. Yet Abscam continues to follow Murtha, as it has since the first allegation surfaced.

Another thing to look for on the Murtha front in the 110th Congress is possible allegations that Murtha colluded with another member of Congress to prevent the Ethics Committee from pursuing allegations into his wrongdoing relating to Abscam, Davis reports.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a Democratic-leaning watchdog group, accused Pelosi of compromising her ethical standards by endorsing Murtha.

Shot back Jennifer Crider, Pelosi's spokeswoman: "House Democrats will lead the most honest and open Congress in history. Leader Pelosi has pledged to change the way business in Washington is done, and that's what she'll do."

The Baltimore Sun reports that Pelosi and her lieutenants are pushing Democrats to back Murtha. Some Democrats — freshmen and senior members eager to secure plum committee assignments — are said to be feeling intense pressure to commit themselves to Murtha or risk being blacklisted.

Rep.-elect Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who was summoned to Pelosi's office to explain why she wasn't backing Murtha, Hearst Newspapers reported.

"I thought we were above this type of swift-boating attack," Murtha said in a statement issued by his office, referring to unsubstantiated allegations about John Kerry's Vietnam War heroism from a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth during the 2004 presidential race. "This is not how we restore integrity and civility to the United States Congress."

Murtha appears to be the underdog to Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House Democrats' whip. Both Murtha and Hoyer claim to have commitments from a majority of Democrats, but the balloting Thursday will be secret and commitments often change.

[rafterman1]

Murtha may be getting "swift boated" on the ABSCAM stuff, but the earmarks thing is what it is, it's pretty hard to argue what's on the record. The Dems have to do it better and cleaner than the Repubs if they want to keep their seats for a while and putting a top pork spender in a management position and threatening other Dems with committee seats is the same cr*p that "The Hammer" Tom DeLay was pulling all these years. Not a great start for Nancy Pelosi.

[perception5]

CBS, there you go again! Censored the most important news of the day. Looks like Americans might have kicked out the wrong party on November 7th. Yeah, looks like there is 6-8 Democratic senators that are corrupt. As reported by ABC news and the Drudge Report please see below:


Sources close to the investigation say Abramoff has provided information on his dealings with and campaign contributions and gifts to "dozens of members of Congress and staff," including what Abramoff has reportedly described as "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators."

ONCE AGAIN, Americans are having issues with our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack providing us with ALL the news......
What should Americans do about our corrupt MSM??

[bluestardad]

This is a political spin against Murtha because this other stooge supports Bush and his policies. So the democratic leadership is looking for cover to not pick Murtha.

[pakaal]

Rafterman1 is right. The Dems got voted in on corruption issues (amongst other things) and here's Pelosi already vowing to support Murtha. Granted, he crystallized war issues for many, but he's also known for generous earmarking, not to mention voting against some ethics legislation. Then there's Abscam....

Pelosi probably felt obliged to give a nod to Murtha for the heat he took standing up on the Iraq issue, and here it is. In the end, Murtha's the long-shot, and I doubt any believe he'll get the vote. Hoyer's going to win this easily.

[b4815]

So why did the msm not report any of Murtha's dealings before the election??? ..biased...nahhh.

[pakaal]

b4815, this is your country - don't expect to be spoon-fed your news, go look it up for yourself. Murtha's ethics problem, like Trent Lott's racism problem, is common knowledge. MSM is just surprised that Pelosi would even nominate Murtha - like many Democrats are. Not that it matters, Hoyer will win anyway.

[b4815]

pakaal...you guys are SPOON FED every little thing about the GOP from the msm!!

[b4815]

If this was a republican it would have been front page news for 3 weeks...[Mark Foley].

[pakaal]

b4815, you haven't a clue as to where I get info on stories from, stop making ignorant generalizations, they don't help your case.

Oh, and read the news sometime so these stories don't catch you by surprise.

[pakaal]

ozilot, the good news is that even with Pelosi's backing, there's not much chance Murtha will win the position. Hoyer's going to take it.

[afmca]

After seeing Pelosi in action since the election I am really wondering whether she is capable of being the Speaker of the House. As a life-long Democrat her actions in two short weeks have depressed me. If Democrats are to stay in power past 2008 they have to be different. High Ethical Standards, No Pork, and a House Leader that is the anti-DeLay. So far Pelosi is not the woman for the job and Murtha is definitely not the man to be second in command. Pelosi seems to be taking intelligence lessons from Bush. How can the Democrats go from being the saviours on Nov 7th to becoming the same clueless and inept party they just replaced.

[one_american]

Rep. John Murtha told a group of moderate Democrats that an Ethics Reform Bill is "total ***."

So much for Pelosi cleaning house!

[one_american]

Rep. John Murtha told a group of moderate Democrats that an Ethics Reform Bill is "total cr@p."

So much for Pelosi cleaning house!

[clestes-2009]

Oh for God's sake! Much ado about nothing. No matter who she wanted, there would complaints, allegations, whispers, etc.

According to all records, Murtha has never been charged with anything and I would like to find ANY congressman who has not brought the pork home at some point. She knows what she is doing. Does anyone really think after the scandels of the last congress, she is going to go down the same road?? I don't think so.

[getcentered]

GO MURTHA!

Murtha is fine for the job. So he gets money for his district. So what, that is his job amongst other things. Notice how nobody is saying what he got the money for his district for. It could have been well spent as far as I'm concerned.

About the other thing "the Abscam bribery scandal" he was never charged in, that as 25 years ago, enough said.

[fredhetz]

One thing that has to be considered when noting with shame that an ethics reform bill was voted against by someone is the actual content of the bill. It's conceivable that someone didn't vote for a bill like that because it might not have been tough enough or for some other reason other than they don't support ethical behavior. Americans are not good at putting things in context or - God forbid - having to read or research something beyond what is spoon-fed them.

[mjv2944]

Ethics?????? I bet they can't even spell it let along change it. Pelosi is just another political hack doing what all hacks do, which is nothing for the good of the country, only whats good for them and their worthless parties. Same sh*t different day.

[shutupmurtha]

Murtha is the best man to show off the democrats...let him be in power and bare all that the dems have to offer!!!! We want Murtha, The people have spoken give us JAck*** Murtha!

What better person could there be to show the face of "the most ethical congress in history" than the "above reproach" flawless character of Jack Murtha? This is a guy you would as your pastor.

Sure he tried to smuggle some mooslem A-Rabs into the country in return for some hefty funds being dumped into his district and has a mouth that would make howard stern blush...big deal. Im a republican and I WANT JACK MURTHA to be the face of the DEMS!

[shutupmurtha]

Democrats smemocrats and Ethics Smethics, give us Jack Murtha!!!

[shutupmurtha]

Start Chanting...

JACK, JACK, JACK, WE WANT JACK!!!

This is Pelosi's best idea ever!!!! JAck Murtha he's our man if he cant be bribed than no one CAN!!1 GIVE US MURTHA, Come on NAnci, screw the best interest of the country (or even your party) gives us Murtha!!!

[shutupmurtha]

Jack Murtha and Nanci Pelosi are the best thing that could happen to the republicans...I mean democrats. You dems are the best!!!! What a great day for the world...Nanci Pelosi and Murtha, This must be heaven. Nanci you will look like a weak *** if Murtha doesnt get in, and if he does you will be butchered by media and the republicans, and the American people.

This shows the courage of Pelosi, she doesnt care what anyone, or even her party thinks. She has balls to put support Jack.

I know he must have helped her get some of her terrorist friends smuggled into the country...

[one_american]

Rep. John Murtha told a group of moderate Democrats that an Ethics Reform Bill is "total cr@p".

So much for Pelosi and the Democrats cleaning house!

Ha ha ha ha!

[one_american]

From ABC News:

"As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was one of the members of Congress Abramoff had allegedly implicated in his cooperation with federal prosecutors."

Looks like the "culture of corruption" can't even get in office before they start to smell bad...

[shutupmurtha]

She needs to pay him back now

[angryliberal-2009]

Jack, Jack, Jack, JACK!!!!

[one_american]

We know Jack!
We want Jack!
Give us Jack!
Jack attack!

[pakaal]

ShutUpMurtha, you are factually incorrect. Murtha did not try to "smuggle some mooslem A-Rabs into the country in return for some hefty funds being dumped into his district", he and others were targeted in an FBI sting with someone posing as an Arab sheik handing out $50,000 in briefcases.

And for the record, he didn't take the money offered, which is why he wasn't charged.

You can argue your case based on facts and people might listen, or you can argue it on lies, and embarass others on your side while making yourself look ignorant. Your choice.

[one_american]

pakaal:

You embarrass yourself! The fact is that Murtha was willing to be paid, but he declined to take it in the meeting.

That doesn't make him a saint, but indeed only a crafty crook.

[pakaal]

One_American, I've seen this floating around for a couple days now. So some 'sources' say Abramoff is going to spill the beans on the Democrats now. OK, well, I keep hearing that he's going to do this. Any idea when, I'm getting tired of hearing ABOUT it without actually hearing IT. Where's the beef, baby?

[pakaal]

One_American, the facts are that he declined the briefcase, and said he might be willing to take the money in the future, once he knew the guy better. I agree that's bad enough, and if you've read my posts on Murtha, I've been against his nomination from day one.

Not that it matters anyway, watch the vote. Murtha won't win this in any case, Hoyer will.

[nathanealy]

"The Baltimore Sun reports that Pelosi and her lieutenants are pushing Democrats to back Murtha. Some Democrats %u2014 freshmen and senior members eager to secure plum committee assignments %u2014 are said to be feeling intense pressure to commit themselves to Murtha or risk being blacklisted."

"Oh for God's sake! Much ado about nothing. No matter who she wanted, there would complaints, allegations, whispers, etc."

All this sounds very Republican. Which party won again?

[pakaal]

And for the record, One_American, the fact ISN'T that Murtha "smuggled in Arabs" and that other junk ShutUpMurtha was peddling.

Like I said, you can argue against Murtha's appointment really well without coming up with stuff that's just ignorant, and untrue, and it makes y'all look bad when you defend them.

[nathanealy]

Let me know when Murtha starts babbling about a "vast right-wing conspiracy." We have a have weaselly politician pool at work.

[angryliberal-2009]

First jack, I want to say thanks for getting my friend OSama Al Sheegaieter into the country. Secondly I hope you win this position because you are the just the type of honest person we need for congress!

MURTHA! MURTHA! MURTHA!

LEt's start the most ethical congress off right....with none other than JAck MURTHA!

[angryliberal-2009]

Can Jack put together a paragraph without using 2,700 profanities? What the **** who gives a **** We need this son of a **** to lead this country. He's great and I dont give a M***** F***'n S*** what the **** right wingers say, **** I dont even care what the libs say! Jack M***** F****'n Murtha is the man we need!!! He's got a lot of great M***** F****'n qualities....like....

Who gives a ****, It dont matter anyway! JACK JACK JACK JACK!!!

[getcentered]

GO MURTHA!

Murtha is fine for the job. So he gets money for his district. So what, that is his job amongst other things. Notice how nobody is saying what he got the money for his district for. It could have been well spent as far as I'm concerned.

About the other thing "the Abscam bribery scandal" he was never charged in, that as 25 years ago, enough said.

[angryliberal-2009]

Youdontknowjack.org

watch JAck's new movie, "How I Used My Power to try and Smuggle Arabs into the country in exchange for Money for my district in order to make me look better" or if you dont like that you can watch "Look, I can do whatever the **** I want and not get screwed for it" and see how he worked deals to break the law, They are both great films!

[angryliberal-2009]

Yeah so what he broke the law, abused his power, covered for other democrats who were taking $50,000 for the operation, and met with smugglers....We want Murtha!!!

JACK can let the American people know the values, views of the democratic party as good as anyone else in the party!

He's the man for the JOB!

[one_american]

Jack is crying now; says he is being "swift boated".

He gets blamed for everything he does wrong.

[Syndicate]

Very hypocritical of the Dems, but what did you expect.

[pakaal]

Y'all crack me up. ANGRYliberal, I appreciate how much support you're giving Murtha. So much corruption, no wonder the Republicans on this comments board are rooting for him, he's just like one of the family!

[b4815]

What we have here is complete democratic hysteria....bout 2 find out the guys u voted 4 r a bunch of CROOKS!!!!!!!!!!

[peterbaldwin-2009]

Abscam? Has the media no honor? First Kerry and now Murtha.

The Kerry attack backfired and so will this. The American people are sick and tired of the media doing the bidding of Karl Rove.

The Dems have to be wary of falling back into the Battered Wife Syndrome role of the appeasing, solicitous victim. They have fallen for the bipartisanship line (Bush promising not to be abusive if given another chance - "I promise") only to be slapped down by Bush with the Bolton push and now the judicial nominees.

That whole idea that the people want bipartisanship is a fiction created by Rove. The people want Bush stopped, which necessarily means gridlock for two years until a Dem President can be elected. The people want gridlock if that is what it will take to stop the bleeding and the looting.

[tibu987]

Ethics? What are ethics? Is that an American word? So, here we go again. It is good that we keep these wrondoings (may be legal in Washington, but no favor to the American public), in the public eye. So Murtha is one of the big porkmeisters. We have to stay on top of these arrogant creeps and get them out of their ivory towers and out of the government.
A quotation that seems very apropo:

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.
Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004)

Well said Ron. (Although I did not care for him and still think ill of him, he was as lousy an actor as he was a President).

And yes, I am a Democrat who has never voted for any Bush or any Republican. In politics sleaze does not fall to any one party.

[tejasdemo]

Hello crazy nazi right wing fruitcakes. How's are the meds working out today ? Lol

[MrSviess]

Getcentered, get a clue. Obviously you are not concerned very far, ASSumptions like that don't sound too bright. What difference does time make, do your homework, he is on tape in the ABSCAM investigation clearly soliciting bribes, his charges were waived by party higher ups against vehement protests by the independent prosecutor, that's why he was never charged, he did not beat the charges and would have certainly been convicted. That is why very many of his fellow house democrats don't want him and you wouldn't either if you tried to think for a second.

[pakaal]

ecrelin, you said "he is on tape in the ABSCAM investigation clearly soliciting bribes."

How does the actual quote on the FBI tape "I'm not interested at this point" translate to a solicitation?

Don't get me wrong, I have no interest in defending the guy but I have less interest in seeing lies perpetrated against anyone, Republican or Democrat.

[pakaal]

Speaking of ABSCAM, it's interesting to note House Republican Richard Kelly's involvement in the Abscam case - looks like Kelly was a lot less reticent than Murtha. After stuffing his pockets with $25,000 Kelly turned to FBI undercover agents, saying "Does it show?"

Also interesting to note that it was another Democrat targeted in the sting, Senator Larry Pressler, who actually went to the FBI to report the 'attempted bribe'. When interviewed by Cronkite, who called him a hero, Pressler said "I do not consider myself a hero ... what have we come to if turning down a bribe is 'heroic'?"

Now THAT'S an honest man.

[bejzip]

What do you expect. Crooks are the best that the Demo's have.