GOP targets Murtha over 'racist' comment
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/28/art.murtha.cnn.jpg caption="A new ad targets Murtha's comments."](CNN) - The National Republican Campaign Committee is using some of its scarce resources to target one of the most senior Democrats in the House–Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania. A new campaign commercial released today uses video clips of Murtha’s recent comments about his Western Pennsylvania district being "a racist area" and "redneck."
The ad also includes a clip from a news conference where Murtha talks about civilians killed in Haditha, Iraq in 2005, saying U.S. Marines "killed innocent civilians in cold blood." The ad ends by saying "Enough."
In an interview Oct. 15 with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Murtha predicted Sen. Barack Obama would win the state of Pennsylvania, but said that there was some hesitancy among voters in the western party of state, including the district he represents.
The paper posted video of the interview on its website, with Murtha saying, "There's no question Western Pennsylvania is a racist area." Murtha apologized the next day, but Republicans seized on the remarks. Days later in an interview with a local television station, Murtha said his district years ago was “really redneck.”
The comments were heavily circulated to such a degree that last weekend's episode of Saturday Night Live also included a spoof of Murtha's remarks.
Under campaign finance law the NRCC is allowed to contribute up to $84,000 in "coordinated funds" to an individual campaign. Murtha's challenger is William Russell, an Iraq war veteran. Russell authorized the ad.
A recent poll by Susquehanna University released last Thursday showed the race tightening with Murtha ahead by just four points, and Republicans feel they have an opportunity in an otherwise bleak environment to challenge the high profile Democrat.
Ken Spain, spokesman for the NRCC , said, "John Murtha has called American soldiers cold blooded killers and the voters of his district racists and rednecks. By doing so, he has besmirched the reputation of the voters he claims to represent and turned himself into a national embarrassment in the process."
Meanwhile, Murtha spokesman Matt Mazonkey said, “If Republican William Russell wants to accept help from George Bush that’s his choice, we choose to talk about the issues that matter in this campaign – and I think the voters know the difference between a mouthpiece of the Bush Administration and Mr. Murtha, who is fighting hard for the people of Western Pennsylvania.”
A spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also tells CNN that the DCCC has paid for an ad criticizing Russell that will begin running later this week.
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DEMOCRATS DON'T FORGET TO EARLY VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This, just like the rest of the McCain campaign, stinks of desperation!
HOW ON EARTH do Pennsylvanians support this RACIST ?!?
Unbelievable?
This liberal democrat Murtha is OUT OF CONTROL.
We need McCain to keep this country in check if the liberals are going to take over the house & senate.
I'm voting MCCAIN 100 %
Just another distruction that won't stick!
The McCain campaign has been about the ist words, communist, socialist, marxist, terrorist. They have labeled Obama with every ist word they can think of. Obama continues to talk about peace, kindness, understanding, and unity. There is no comparison.
So, McCain then accuses Obama of attempting to spread the wealth implying that Obama wants to use tax policy to take money from the rich and give it to the poor. Well what if he does? The great and wonderful Ronald Reagan, Bush one, Bush two, and McCain as Bush 2's cheerleader have redistributed my money to the rich. I'm tired of that. I want some of my money back.
It's not a question of which one of them want to redistribute wealth, it's who they want to redistribute it too. I want some pie.
Murtha said something that was politically stupid to say. Of course the Gross Old Party would jump. They ARE desperate. Let this be a warning to all others...loose lips sink ships. I do hope Murtha survives this.
Racism is alive and well in the USA. We can never IMPROVE if we don't recognize what's wrong with us. The republicans, being as racist as they come (listen to the rallies for McCain and Palin, where Obama was called an arab, a terrorist, a muslim, one who doesn't see America as "YOU and I" see it ..) starts whining if the word "racist" is mentioned. What hypocrisy... This country would see much improvements once we get people like them out of office. I can't wait... just a few more days...
Join in now folks...
Desperado, desperado, desperado..........
For those who say "but what if so and so had said this or that "...shut up! That is the weakest and most inane argument anyone can make (from eiher side).
Murtha was right. Western PA does have quite a few red necks. Hell, they would admit it themselves.
Comments about soldiers being killers. I might disgaree they are cold blooded, but they are trained to kill are they not? If you don't want to take the hand cuffs off the soldiers and let them win a war by eliminating the enemy that will result in collatoral damage, then don't send them to war. And if you do send the mto war the nge tthe hell out of their way and let them win that war. Simple as that.
The problem is that Iraq and Afghanistan are not wars. They are policing actions. A very big difference.
Telling the truth is apparently such a rare thing in politics that the repubs don't recognize it when they hear it.
Don't forget, McCain supporters – your running mate proudly proclaims that she herself is a "REDNECK"! As usual, you are trying to have it both ways.
The RNC and this whole republican campaign has been absolutely disgraceful. If America elects the bloated old man whose brain can't keep up with his mouth and the manipulative, self-serving diva who's running with (?) him, then America deserves what she gets, and God help us.
mc c is so oblivious.....he called "my fellow prisoners" and that's exactly what he will do, keep you hostage
It was a dumb thing to say, but honestly, NPR has been interviewing folks in western Pennsylvania all week and many, many,many of them said (without hesitation) that they will not vote for a black man. What do you call that? Tolerance?
Anyone who has lived in the region ( I have) knows that Mr Murtha is correct. No surprise the GOP would not want to get bogged down with truth. As recent as last week I've heard a clearly racist "reason" to not vote Obama from a Western PA native- so go figure.
Do the Republicans have any ideas to UNITE the USA or will they just repeat ignorance and racism?
This has been the most divisive campaign in our beautiful nations history and I am old enough to remember many hateful elections.
McCain and Palin are race baters and full of hateful talk. They will bring out the worst in people and cause great harm. I know a Democrat said it but they used it too stir up violence. They both need to go for a very long time out.
Please send these vile people back to their states to retire.
Attacks, attacks – Americans are so sick of the McCain attacks this YEAR. Let it be over.
The world according to Republicans:
The wealthy are oppressed by taxes. The poor get too many handouts.
Christians and white people are oppressed minorities.
Republican mantra "Trick or ill-treat" for this Halloween.
Either way, you are doomed with your vote for McCain.
But didn't gramps say he agreed with the Dems?
I'm not sure the GOP has enough credibility at this point to point the finger at anyone else, when it has participated in some of the most racist and underhanded campaigning that I have seen in years.
They do awful things, and then get upset when people call them out on it. I am so sick of the entire lot of them all they do is feign fury and indignation while they are busy distracting the American public from the robbery and corruption that has come to characterize the last 8 years of GOP-reigning hell.
The GOP is hoping you, the American voter, are as racist and narrow-minded as they are. Lets show them we are above their outdated divisive bickering.
I voted for Obama last week. And I cannot wait to see the fall of the race-baiting has-been Republican party
Murtha is right. He knows his district better than anyone; but for the GOP to use it against him is stupid.
The GOP is looking for "anything" to try to capture this election for a win. Sad.........................This country is heading down the wrong path with the McCain/Palin campaign of angry mobs. God help us if McCain wins. This country will never be the same regarding race.
Who knows maybe Murtha is telling the truth.
Murtha is right. He knows his district better than anyone; but for the GOP to use it against him is stupid.
The GOP is looking for "anything" to try to capture this election for a win. Sad.........................This country is heading down the wrong path with the McCain/Palin campaign of angry mobs. God help us if McCain wins. This country will never be the same regarding race.
We really need to get over this compulsive squeamishness. Murtha spoke out, and whether or not this is a real issue is really between Murtha and his constituents. If they're deeply offended, they're about to get their chance to speak at the polls.
If this attack on Murtha is all Mr. Russell has to talk about, then Murtha's constituents would probably be fools to replace Murtha with an empty suit. This is a side issue, pure distraction, and the fact that Russell's running on it says more about Russell than about Murtha.
Murtha's speaking the truth and the GOP doesn't like to be called for what it is: a racist organization. Nobody likes to be called racist, but if the shoe fits...
Frankly they have little standing to complain, but of course they will. Whining is all they can do now.
We want issues this election cycle Sen. McCain. Stop attacking and start PROVIDING Solutions. What about this DON'T you GET ??? We can find negatives about Candidates on our own....we do not need you to point them out. WHAT we do NEED are solutions to job security and income growth and DIRECTION into the FUTURE. PLEASE GIVE US A REASON TO VOTE FOR YOU!!!!
This will backfire just like everything else they've tried. The can yell and scream all they want at their cheerleader rallies but the truth will prevail. One week and this is finally o-v-e-r! I hope we can send both of these rejects packing.
BTW – I finally saw one sticker with McCain/Palin on a car. I'm sure they are closet supporters.
Go Obama!