TheOld Bull roared like a lion. It was a political temblor, a Murtha-quake

[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.

[BJW]

1. familiar with policial strategy? theater?

Consider that Murtha supports Dean...

[Leopolds Ghost]

2. Hmm... you'll have to give me a few more hints what you're on about :-) nt

[Leopolds Ghost]

3. If you mean this is "good cop bad cop" and Murtha's the "bad cop", sure...

But why not say something like: "I disagree with Murtha's proposal, Kerry has a far more moderate proposal" or "I don't think very many people are in favor of immediate withdrawal. If you polled the Congress, I think you'd find that most of us are in favor of a phased pullout with benchmarks, not announcing a specific date that the insurgents might exploit" or some BS like that...

and if it's "good cop bad cop" which is a perfectly good strategy, why not provide Murtha some more back-up? I guess he's getting it behind the scenes, like Walter Cronkite did when he came out against McCarthy.

[ddeclue]

4. Cronkite came out against Johnson, Murrow came out against McCarthy..

Just a little confused by your historical reference.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[Nevernose]

5. Well written article

I'm not sure of the deeper meanings behind it all, but it's very well written.

[Leopolds Ghost]

6. Yeh, I love the "Murtha-quake". Right up there with "Fitzmas"!

In other cute references to Negative Bushmarks,

Now it's time for MEGA-KATRINA!

"President Spacebush! We need that oil in the Gulf Coast Region!"

"SUCK! SUCK! SUCK!"

November 17, 2005: MURTHA-QUAKE DEVASTATES WASHINGTON

Consensus, confidence shattered by Old Bull