Murtha Meets Russert, Predicts U.S. Forces Will Be Out of Iraq

[cal04]

Murtha Meets Russert, Predicts U.S. Forces Will Be Out of Iraq Next Year

Appearing with Tim Russert on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), who has caused a firestorm in recent days with a call for a speedy withdrawal in Iraq, predicted that, despite the mixed reaction to the proposal, U.S. forces would essentially be out of that country by the end of 2006.

Asked pointedly by Russert if they would be gone by Election Day 2006, Murtha replied, "Tim, you have hit the nail on the head there." He said his proposal had "only been out there for a couple days" and could gain wide support since it is, he said, not a partisan plan. "Iraqi's will let us do the fighting as long as we're there," he said.

He also said "people should be fired" for mishandling the war but, pressed by Russert, would not specifically say that Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld should be one of them, although he remains highly critical of him. He called Vice President Cheney "a friend" but "he is wrong." Murtha also refused to say that the administration had deliberately "mislead" the country into war, choosing instead to words "exagerated intelligence."

He said that he had never received such an outpouring of support for anything he has done in his 32 years in Congress. The public, he said, was "thirsting for a solution" to the war. Referring to Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) calling him a coward on the floor of Congress, he pointed out that she is a new member of the House and maybe someone simply gave her something to read.


http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001525271

[tsuki]

1. It sounds like you have He-Coons up there in PA. "Simply

gave her something to read." That was a slap down.

[Cha]

8. Brilliant, I say!

she's dumber than a sack of rocks ..in so many words.

[indepat]

9. Like a fine Tennessee Congressperson?

[hwmnbn]

2. When I heard that...

I noted he sounded like he has some inside info. He seemed so sure of himself. When asked by Russert if they'd be out by the election, he responded "You hit the nail on the head."

He may feel the political pulse of the country, but more importantly he has the pulse of our military.

[3trievers]

10. Out before cong. elections

I noted he sounded like he has some inside info. He seemed so sure of himself. When asked by Russert if they'd be out by the election, he responded "You hit the nail on the head."

The repuglicans will not go into an election with soldiers dying in Iraq.

[Ilsa]

3. Oops. I started to repeat you...

So I backed out some of my comments.

I think Murtha interviews very well.

Rummy was interviewed on ABC. The man is such a liar. He could teach courses in spin machine mastery.

[MissWaverly]

4. he was also interviewed by Chris Wallace on Fox

He said the same thing on both, first a "look over there" deflection,
asking to assess how the average Iraqi feels. I want to know what
is his professional assessment of Iraq as the Secretary of Defense.
He also said that the President did not consult with him before going
to war with Iraq which I thought was very telling.

[cliss]

5. Interesting.

We have some rogues in the White House, no?

This coming week should be very interesting. I can't wait to see what they decide to do at the White House, and how they intend to fight back. This will be tough for them.

[MissWaverly]

6. I remember Johnson and Nixon commanded respect

Despite their unpopular stance on Vietnam, quire frankly this avoid
the question is wearing thin, I notice that even William Kristal
was criticizing Rumsfield remarks, they have lost their base.

[Cha]

7. Murtha is too

kind to schimdthead but there are bigger statues to tumble.

I know Murtha got a Big Outpouring of Support!