Murtha assails Bush in Downtown(Pittsburgh) speech

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pmupdate/s_445859.html

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, continuing his criticism of President Bush's handling of the Iraq war, said today it would take more than Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation to restore Bush's credibility in the Middle East and with the American public.

The only way Bush can show he is ready to seriously change direction and pursue a diplomatic solution to the war is if he makes "substantial" changes in his administration, Murtha told about 100 people attending a luncheon sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh at the DoubleTree Hotel, Downtown.

"Nobody can believe these guys anymore," Murtha, D-Johnstown, told reporters after his speech, in which he listed the reasons he believes the Bush administration has "mishandled, mischaracterized and misrepresented" the planning and management of the war.

Whether it's Bush's fault or not that things are going badly in Iraq, Murtha said, "he's getting blamed for it, so he needs to make some substantial changes" in his top staff. "He's got to let loyalty and friendship take a subservient position to the good of the country."

Unless "we replace the people responsible for the failed plan" the U.S. will not be able to get the international help and cooperation it needs, Murtha said during his half-hour speech. He also again criticized Rumsfeld, saying he andBush "were wrong when it came to Iraq" but "won't admit it."

:patriot:

Bush to fire Rummy the more Bush digs in his heals. This sucks for the soldiers but really emphasizes the fact that they're stubborn to a fault. This will bite the republicans on the butt in November as long as they keep hammering away on it.

I hope he comes right out and calls these freaks INSANE!

:scared:

Murtha as Secretary of Defence. Wouldn't that be awesome? He could straighten this mess, and restore the morale of our servicemen.

What you say is so logical to a thinking being but will that get through to the neoCONS?

All of the local stations presented excerpts of his presentation -- even his highly critical comments. Even the standing ovation he received. It felt good.

If you come across a transcript of his speech, dear R.L. -- please give us the link. Or gee, maybe I will contact his office and try to get it.

:yourock:

Seems like we need to start calling him Miss Bush instead of Mr. or President Bush*.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06111/684018-84.stm

The United States has no realistic military options available against the nuclear ambitions of Iran, Rep. Jack Murtha said yesterday, as he renewed his warnings about the toll the war in Iraq is taking on the nation's armed services.

The outspoken critic of the administration's Iraq policy offered that analysis, and reiterated his call for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in a Downtown address to the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.

The Johnstown Democrat once again urged a speedy withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, contending that the war was a distraction from the war on terror, had damaged America's international credibility and threatened to sap the strength of the nation's military preparedness for years to come.

Mr. Murtha bemoaned the cost of the war in casualties and in money and said he feared that with the end of U.S. involvement in the war, military appropriations would dry up at a time when the Army and Marines will face enormous spending demands to replace or rehabilitate equipment used in the war.