Army vet to challenge Murtha in 2008

Army vet to challenge Murtha in 2008
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Oct 28, 2007 17:19:10 EDT

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A career Army member left the service two years short of retirement to move here and try his hand at politics by challenging longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. John Murtha.

First-time candidate William T. Russell, 45, a Republican, acknowledged that taking on a popular, 18-term congressman in the 2008 election will be “an uphill battle.”

“But it’s one that must be fought,” Russell told the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown.

Russell plans to formally announce his candidacy within weeks. Murtha has declined comment on the challenge.

Murtha, 75, has served in the House since 1974 and is known for bringing money and jobs — especially in the defense industries — to his district in rural Pennsylvania. A decorated Vietnam veteran and Marine Reserve colonel who previously had been hawkish on war issues, Murtha has criticized the Iraq war and pushed for the troops to be brought home. He became chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee last year.

Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey ran against Murtha last year, trying to capitalize on the backlash against Murtha’s views among conservatives. She was soundly beaten in the general election.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_murthachallenger_071028/

I am suprised no one told him this....

:wtf:

So this guy is willing to give up a 50% base pay retirement package, to include healthcare and other perks, just to take on an electorate that has to figure Murtha is smething special.

If this guy is over the rank of E-1 he shouldn't be, 18+ years in the service, and he's running on a grudge against Murtha. If he were in my Plt, I'd have requested a psychological evaluation.

in the Army Times says he has Army and Army Reserve Time and that he is a business owner. Does not state whether he is Officer or Enlisted nor his qualifying time for retirement. Still, he's just the kind of guy the neocons would pay to run against a real hero so they can say they have vets on their side. Am I a skeptical submitch? You bet!

the point of it was. After all, he could keep his Reserve status right up to the point where he could find out if he was elected. With a year before the electiom that would put him somewhere w/a year to go, and he could even meet requirements {b]if he was elected.

Something really stinks about this story, something just isn't right....Either he's an E-1 or an O-1 and a REMF as well. In any case, he'd ne a damn fool to give up retirement pay after that many years...:wtf: I don't think he has a chance against Murtha, he is almost beleved in his district...Oh Well...save the taxpayers a few bucks anyway...:D


I smell roasting Chickenhawk...maybe his unit is slated to go back ot Iraq????