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Edited on Sat Nov-19-05 09:23 PM by Leopolds Ghost
From the Milbank column, written before the GOP tar-baby resolution was proposed:
Murtha, whose brand of hawkishness has never been qualified by the word "chicken", was expecting the attacks. The question turned to the inevitable charges that Murtha was irresponsibly advocating a cut-and-run. The Old Bull roared like a lion. "This is a flawed policy wrapped in an illusion!" he said, pounding the podium.
There was a long silence in the room when Murtha finished, as journalists assessed the damage. It was a political temblor, a Murtha-quake. But would it make a difference?
It would not. In the Speaker's Lobby of the House floor, Democrats ran for cover. Rep. Norman Dicks (D-Wash.) walked away when reporters asked if Murtha's move would change the Democrats' position. Asked if he agreed with Murtha, Rep. Ike Skelton (Mo.), the ranking Democrat on the Armed Service Committee, replied: "Talk to you later."
Evidently, they were just being polite. At her afternoon news conference, Pelosi was meticulous in avoiding any agreement with Murtha's "very provocative" statement. "Mr. Murtha speaks for himself."
Why, O congressmen, why?? This was written before the GOP poison pill resolution came up for a vote.
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