Murtha Vows To Stop Troop Buildup

Antiwar Democrat Says He'll Use Power Of Purse To Restrict Bush

(The Politico)  By The Politico's John Bresnahan.

---

Rep. Jack Murtha, one of the most vocal congressional opponents of the war in Iraq, is vowing to block President Bush’s plan to send another 21,500 U.S. combat troops to Iraq by restricting the administration’s military options in a new wartime spending bill.

“We’re gonna stop this surge,” the Pennsylvania Democrat declared in an interview posted on the Website MoveCongress.org.

Stepping up his campaign against the White House, Murtha, chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, told Tom Andrews, a former congressman-turned-activist, in the online interview that he would attach so many conditions to an upcoming spending bill for Iraq that the Pentagon would not be able to find enough troops to carry out the president’s “surge” plan.

The Andrews group, the Win Without War Coalition, is part of a larger federation of anti-war groups sponsoring the site.

Murtha will oversee the $93 billion supplemental spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan that the House will consider in mid-March. And he wants to impose new restrictions on how the president can deploy combat forces from the United States to Iraq, allow combat veterans to have at least one year stateside before returning to the frontlines and prevent the Pentagon from keeping soldiers and Marines already in Iraq in uniform after their enlistments expire.

“This vote will limit the options of the president and should stop the surge,” Murtha predicted of next month’s floor fight over the wartime supplemental appropriation. “We’re trying to force redeployment [of troops outside Iraq], not by taking money away but by redirecting it.”

Murtha is not pushing a total cutoff of funds for the war in Iraq. But he is considering measure to limit the military actions Bush can take against Iran, although the congressman was more cautious than his statements about Iraq.

“We are looking at the possibility of putting language in the bill that says you can’t go into Iran unless you have authorization [from Congress],” Murtha said.

Murtha also intends to push a provision to bar the creation of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq and to raze the notorious Abu Ghraib prison.

The strategy being employed by Murtha and other House Democratic leaders would force Bush and Republican congressional leaders to accept the new troop restrictions, or face the possibility the supplemental spending bill would falter, thus cutting off all funding for the war.

Democrats are betting that Bush and the Republicans won’t take that risk and will go along with the Democratic proposals. And Republican leaders are not taking Murtha’s threats lightly.

The Republican National Committee has e-mailed supporters, urging them to contact newspapers and other media outlets to object to the congressman’s proposals.

The RNC was reacting to a story in The Politico on Wednesday that spelled out the Democratic strategy of cutting off the supply of troops available for the war, while retaining funding for forces already deployed in Iraq.

Without the troops to execute the surge, the Pentagon would find it increasingly difficult to keep U.S. forces in Iraq.

Republicans have repeatedly charged that Democrats want to “cut off funding for the troops,” and the Democratic strategy seeks to deflect those charges.

The Democratic plan was characterized in The Politico as the “slow-bleed strategy,” which was not a term used by any Democrats or the anti-war groups supporting their efforts.

The RNC, however, attributed the phrase to Democrats, and it was used in their e-mail alert.

“‘Slow bleed' is exactly the right name for this incredibly irresponsible and dangerous strategy,” RNC Chairman Mike Duncan wrote in his e-mail, which included a Web link to donate to the GOP.

“Cutting and running is bad enough,’’ he said. “But the Murtha-Pelosi 'slow-bleed' plan is far worse. It is a cynical and dangerous erosion of our ability to fight the terrorists while we still have men and women on the ground in Iraq.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee and Senate Republicans are also preparing to use the “slow-bleed” line in their own news releases, slamming Murtha and the Democrats.

[scott4261]

The madness has to end. Good for Jack Murtha!

[processor2]

So, the socialist/marxist/leninists (aka Democrats)that have seized control of congress last November will take a vote today on the surrender of our country.

This resolution is a disaster of historical proportions.

The Democrap Party today will show the world what wimps and whiners that Democrats really are.

Heaven help us.

....

SOMETIMES I WONDER IF LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER.....most people I know are a glass is hal-full kind of people, whereas liberals see nothing but doom, gloom, and surrender.

.........

[processor2]

So, the socialist/marxist/leninists (aka Democrats)that have seized control of congress last November will take a vote today on the surrender of our country.

This resolution is a disaster of historical proportions.

The Democrap Party today will show the world what wimps and whiners that Democrats really are.

Heaven help us.

....

SOMETIMES I WONDER IF LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER.....most people I know are a glass is half-full kind of people, whereas liberals see nothing but doom, gloom, and surrender.

......

[notblue]

The enemy's top ally John Murtha pledges to halt all attacks on the bad guys. See the Murtha special on Al Jazeera this weekend entitled "Murtha, a man for all Jihads".

[frankly6]

Murtha is saving the country and the troops from Bushes next failed plan. No more ignoring experts, generals and the will of the American people. The "Decider" needs to be put on permanent lame duck status before he screws anything else up.

[skyk-2009]

The enemy's top ally John Murtha pledges to halt all attacks on the bad guys. See the Murtha special on Al Jazeera this weekend entitled "Murtha, a man for all Jihads".
Posted by notblue at 10:49 AM : Feb 16, 2007

Please explain to me how carrying out the WILL of the PEOPLE of this nation helps the enemy? When our NATION no longer has the right or ability for the PEOPLE to stop a Mad Dog President, who has lied and failed from day one, we no longer are what we claim to be.

[luvny-2009]

Ol Jack better be careful cause Bush is looking for a reason or someone to point the finger at so he can say it wasn't his fault. Bush knows as do the Military that a surge is just a bandaid and it will not fix anything. Letting him send them will result in many more of our kids getting killed so I agree it's not the right thing to do. Bush has always been able to come out of all his screwups looking like it was not his fault and this mess is no different.

[notblue]

The will of the people is simple, improve the security situation for the Iraqis and not leave the country in chaos. The Democrat's plan will not provide those basic victories. The only mad people in these discussions are the ones that think leaving is a solution to the chaos.

[skyhawk761]

notblue, and just who is the enemy? Are the Iraqi people our enemy? If you say the insurgants, they weren't there before we started this war. They came afterwards and the majority of them are coming from Saudi Arabia so why aren't we there? I did my tour during Nam, how about you? Your so pro war that if you haven't served then you need to get off your @ss pick up a weapon and fight for your cause. Either do that or shut the hell up!

[frankly6]

How many lies do we have to uncover? How many of Bushes failed plans should we endure? How many blank checks does Congress have to write him? How many lives have to be lost before the last of his followers realize he is absolutely incompetent and cares nothing for the troops? Is a Trillion dollars enough? Is 3,100 dead and 50,000 wounded Americans enough? How about 500,000 Iraqis?



notblue, proccessor2

When do we get to expect results? When should we hold the "Decider" acountable.

[bigwhtpony]

Good luck, Murth. You're a trespasser of the office you hold, and a thief of the pay you receive from the taxpayer.....not to mention a disgrace to the USMC.

[cbgb31]

It's 20,000 troops. We're talking about 20,000 troops badly needed in Iraq. The Democrats are making utter fools of themselves.

If John Murtha and the cut and runners are successful in undermining our troops efforts in Iraq, they will be totally responsible for the chaos that will surely follow. It will no longer be Bush's War. It will now belong to John Murtha and the Democrats. The Liberals seem to think they have a mandate with the one seat majority in the Senate and a slim majority in the House. They Don't. They should get on with the Nations business and stop wasting tax payers money. I foresee a MAJOR conservative sweep in 2008.

[bluestardad]

There is no reason for America to be in Iraq. If bush keeps the soldiers there without bombs and bullets he will be stoned!

[frankly6]

notblue

You are right, we shouldn't leave Iraq in chaos. But the only hope for acomplishing this is bringing Iraq's neighbors to the barganing table. Bush is unable or unwilling to do this so the present plan will only be an escalation of a failed policy.

[bigwhtpony]

Please explain to me how carrying out the WILL of the PEOPLE of this nation helps the enemy?
Posted by skyk at 10:57 AM : Feb 16, 2007

It has nothing to do with the "will of the people". Truth be known, the majority don't favor a timed withdrawal or pulling out before the country is stable. Maybe you're referring to the will of the HOLLYWOOD people?

[bigwhtpony]

Just remember the facts: Murtha is a decorated Marinae and a war hero. Any questions?
Posted by nikosk1 at 11:05 AM : Feb 16, 2007

Shame on you for honoring a "war monger" like Murtha! War is NOT the answer! How can you respect someone for killing innocent woman and children??? He's a baby killer - like John (shoot them in the back) Kerry.

[frankly6]

Thomas Jefferson said that dissent is the highest form of Patriotism.


Bushies



What you Neocons fail to understand is that the moment this turned into a CIVIL WAR. All hope for "victory" was lost. It's done. There's no military solution that we can impose on this. Are Armies are trained to defeat other Armies not to play referee in a CIVIL WAR. You have to bring Iraq's neighbors to create a political solution. Anything else is just throwing fuel on the fire.

[lmarogers]

i think this might work. if bush wants the troops to win, then we need to see that the troops have the equiptment they need. why send them over there to fight and not give them the proper equipment. if we can do at least that,to keep them safe, then bring them home.

[bigwhtpony]

Hey youfuckinghores one of those 20,000 is my daughter and I don't care if the entire place goes to hell I don't want her there!
Posted by bluestardad at 11:09 AM : Feb 16, 2007

I appreciate your family's sacrifice and your daughter's service, but surely she must have known that being in the military is not having the latitude to pick and choose where and when we deploy. She's doing her duty and we respect her for it. Do yours by supporting her in her choice.

[bigwhtpony]

What you Neocons fail to understand is that the moment this turned into a CIVIL WAR. All hope for "victory" was lost. It's done.

It's not a "civil war"......you don't know the definition of a "civil war". If you did, you would be proudly displaying your lack of understanding.

[frankly6]

It's a CIVIL WAR people! Bush has no hope for resolving this as long as he's still in denial about this essential fact.

[bigwhtpony]

dissent is the highest for of patriotism - Thomas Jefferson

Google the phrase "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" along with the name "Thomas Jefferson" and you will find thousands of Web pages attributing the sentiment to the third president of the United States. The trouble is, notes reader Dave Forsmark, who has been waging a one-man campaign to correct what he believes to be a blatant misattribution, "the quote is about two years old, not 200. It was made by [historian] Howard Zinn in an interview with TomPaine.com to justify his opposition to the War on Terror." Someone erroneously attributed the quote to Jefferson soon after, and now seemingly everyone is doing it.

Nice try....go back to listening to Al Frankin while he's still on the air. Your Kool-Aide is waiting.

[frankly6]

bigwhtneocon


A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight against each other for the control of political power. Political scientists use two criteria: the warring groups must be from the same country and fighting for control of the political center, control over a separatist state or to force a major change in policy. The second criterion is that at least 1,000 people must have been killed in total, with at least 100 from each side.



It's a CIVIL WAR!

[bluestardad]

Guys you have great posts and I truly enjoy your thoughts both pro and con, but it is time we took action by writing our Senators and Representatives telling them your opinions. Short of dragging them out of office this is what we can do. Please do something. Here is access to their email and web contact pages take the time to tell them the deal! The Statue of Liberty Stands in New York Harbor and is not Kneeling in the desert of the Middle East!
Email your senators tell them your views! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm or http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[frankly6]

bigwhtpony

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have abandoned their homes and businesses to escape this CIVIL WAR. The country is segregating itself into Sunni and Shia. At least 3,000 Iraqis a month are dying in civil conflict. That's the reality.

Please tell us how this is not a CIVIL WAR?

[bigwhtpony]

A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight against each other for the control of political power. It's a CIVIL WAR!

Posted by frankly6 at 11:22 AM : Feb 16, 2007

Pretty good. That's correct.....textbook definition. They are not fighting for political power.....the two factions think their version of islam is the correct one. Believe it or not, that's what the fighting is all about.

Same with the protestants and catholics in northern Ireland. Not a civil war. If we can prop the government up to the point where they can take care of themselves, we will be able to turn it over and leave.

[bigwhtpony]

someone please shut up this "bigwhtpony" the azz-whole This S.O.B. has made ma mad enough to spit!

Posted by mocaleo at 11:23 AM : Feb 16, 2007

What's a matter jamocha ******? they don't have free speech in the s*hithole where you live?

[terrapin78]

Over 2 million Iraqi's have left Iraq. These are the ones that are not killing each other. This leaves the country in a weak position as many with moderate views are now gone from where we need them.

Good job Dumbya!

[bluestardad]

bigwhtpony; Thank you for reminding me of my daughters duty. My daughter who is in the National Guard was stop lossed within two weeks of her Enlisted Time Served ETS and sent to Iraq her first time for 16 months 2004 to 2005. She left behind a 3 month old baby boy and a husband. When she got to Iraq Kellogg Brown and Root a subsidiary of Halliburton was doing the job of Water Purification she and her crew were sent to do. She and her crew rode Convoy Guard for the Contractors who were making 80 thousand a year per person to do the water purification her crew was suppose to be doing. When her extended first tour was completed the Army sent her to Peru and switched that crew to Iraq. Now it is 2007 and she has just been given orders to return to Iraq! What happened to the policy of 2-5 year separation between war time deployments for Guard and Reserve? All you BiG PONY Chicken Hawks talk of Sacrifice doing your duty when you set on your fatasses telling someone else to suck it up. We have one KIA in this family and I don%u2019t feel we should have another so you take your fatass over there and do your duty you CHICKEN HAWK pimp!

[mark-ira]

We have been mired in Iraq for months longer than we were in WWII.

Nothing is improving.

Iraq is in a shambles. There is nothing we can do to improve it. Most certainly, Iraq will not be able to create th sort of democracy that President Bush has spoken of since he had to shift his justification for the Iraq War from WMD's to democracy.

One of the main reasons that this will be impossible is embedded in Islam itself.

We revere our founding fathers for having the wisdom to realize that religion and government do best when they have as little to do with each other as possible.

Not only is this notion foreign to Islam. It is contrary to Islam, which teaches that government must be based on shariah (Islamic religious law).

As such, trying to turn Iraq into anything resembling democracy is like trying to apseurize sewage.

[bthale]

What a pathetic piece of s**t! What a self-serving, ignorant idiot! Are these people just so consumed by a hatred of Bush that they would sacrifice anything and everything to make him look bad. Shameful!

[antoniof123]

Though I agree with John Murtha and he may succeed in stopping the administration of increasing the number of troops in Iraq it will still take time this is a good side show. The beginning of the end of this mess that the Republicans have got us into. The good thing is that we will be able to get out and once we do then the Republicans will change their tune and say well are you not glad that we got us out of that mess. Then I hope it is another 40 years before they come back to power because I will be so old that it will not matter to me then.

[frankly6]

bigwhtpony

Dude that's Bullsh#t and you know it. Religion is just part of it. It's the deviding line. The north and south of the situation if you will. The main beefs are political and economic. Politicly the Sunnis are having a problem going from being the dominant force to playing a minority role. Economicly they are fighting for the division of oil wealth which lies almost exclusively in Shia territory.

[terrapin78]

bluestardad

About your last post.

You told him off good! I hope your daughter returns home safely soon!

Go get them Murtha!!!

[Brojees]

Go Jack!! About time we stop this incompetent idiot in the Oval Office from killing anymore people, Iraqi and American. Now let's get the impeachment, the LONG OVERDUE IMPEACHMENT, proceedings started for him and Cheney.

[skyhawk761]

Civil war, religous war, what's the difference? They have been killing each other for over a thousand years and will continue to do so. Our presense there is not going to change that fact and proping up this joke of a goverment is not going to change that. I say line up all of you right wing sideline cheerleaders give you a weapon and send your @sses over there to see the real *** yourselves. I bet my eyeteeth you all would change your minds real quick, but that won't happen because you all want to talk the talk but don't want to walk the walk.

[bigwhtpony]

BiG PONY Chicken Hawks talk of Sacrifice doing your duty when you set on your fatasses telling someone else to suck it up. We have one KIA in this family and I don%u2019t feel we should have another so you take your fatass over there and do your duty you CHICKEN HAWK pimp!
Posted by bluestardad at 11:33 AM : Feb 16, 2007

So let's make the death a meaningless one by leaving. Died for nothing. That satisfy you. And you don't know anything about me, so shove your insults up your bluestar starfish!!!

I served my time in the rmy, army reserve, and the national guard. 10 years combined to be exact. I never saw combat but I did my time. So dry your eyes, blow your nose, and quit complaining. Your daughter has more going for her than you do.

[irishbitch1]

You go Mr Murtha, the majority of We The People do not want to see another one of our Soldiers pay the ultimate price for this doomed war.The insanity that is george bush and co. has got to stop.

[rafterman1]

"Are these people just so consumed by a hatred of Bush that they would sacrifice anything and everything to make him look bad. Shameful!"

I'm glad you think it's all about how Bush looks and not about three thousand dead American soldiers - lost in a hopeless mission.

[cbgb31]

the Democrats are whining about 20,000 troops. What they really want to do is pull the plug and leave.

[charles1502]

iT IS ALWAYS BETTER DURING A WAR TO HAVE TWO COMMANDERS IN CHARGE WHY NOT THREE THAT WILL LEAD TO A SURE WIN AND EVERY ONE WILL SEE LESS BODY COUNTS AND WE WILL WIN, THE WAR AND SAVE OUR BOYS GIVE THEM A MORAL LIFT. wHY WE WILL HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND AT HOME EDUCATING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TO VOTE AND GET MORE BENEFITS. THEN WE CAN RAISE MORE BY INVESTING IN MORE SOCIAL BENEFITS FOR MUSLIEM EXTREMISTS SO THEY CAN KILL US HERE IN THE US. tHAT WAY ARE BOYS WILL BE AT HOME PROTECTED THE HOMELAN.

[frankly6]

What you Neocons fail to realize here is that this is now a CIVIL WAR. We are now playing referee in this CIVIL WAR and getting shot up by both sides. There is no military victory to be had here. The solution is mostly political. If there is to be a possitive outcome, it's going to have to be brought about by bringing in Iraq's neighbors.

[bluestardad]

Terrapin78; thank you and GOD bless you and yours. We all need help with this Idiot and his jockstrap supporters!

[bigwhtpony]

What a pathetic piece of s**t! What a self-serving, ignorant idiot! Are these people just so consumed by a hatred of Bush that they would sacrifice anything and everything to make him look bad. Shameful!
Posted by bthale at 11:34 AM : Feb 16, 2007

That's EXACTLY what it is, bthale. I guarantee you that if this were Kerry or Gore running the show, these folks would be on the front row throwing their underwear up on the stage.

[bluestardad]

Guys you have great posts and I truly enjoy your thoughts both pro and con, but it is time we took action by writing our Senators and Representatives telling them your opinions. Short of dragging them out of office this is what we can do. Please do something. Here is access to their email and web contact pages take the time to tell them the deal! The Statue of Liberty Stands in New York Harbor and is not Kneeling in the desert of the Middle East!
Email your senators tell them your views! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm or http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[macusweil]

Bush is the 1st President in modern history to allow a direct attack on the continental US soil. He followed that up by taking the US into a needless war and losing it!! "W" orst ever!!!

[frankly6]

charles1502

When the President has proven himself untrustworthy and incompetent someone must stand up and make him acountable. That's what's happening here. No more blank checks. No more failed plans that ignore the advice of generals and the will of the American people. No more wasted lives playing referee in a CIVIL WAR.

[bm6005]

Are these people just so consumed by a hatred of Bush that they would sacrifice anything and everything to make him look bad. Shameful!
Posted by bthale at 11:34 AM : Feb 16, 2007

Yep! Altho he does well enough on his own w/o my help! This war is based on lies. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 or Al Queda. I haven't hated a lying Moron as much as BushII since Ronnie ***!

[one_american]

A desperate and cowardly act by Jack "send them to Okinawa" Murtha, and Nancy "I want a party plane" Pelosi.

They would rather bleed our military to a slow death than allow them a successful completion of the mission.

Impeach the traitor Democrats!