WP's Kurtz runs smear on Murtha in typical "he said/she said style"

[Rose Siding]

Web Site Attacks Critic of War
Opponents Question Murtha's Medals

Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), the former Marine who is an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, has become the latest Democrat to have his Vietnam War decorations questioned.

In a tactic reminiscent of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth assault on Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) during the 2004 presidential campaign, a conservative Web site yesterday quoted Murtha opponents as questioning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of his two Purple Hearts.

David Thibault, editor in chief of the Cybercast News Service, said the issue of Murtha's medals from 1967 is relevant now "because the congressman has really put himself in the forefront of the antiwar movement." Thibault said: "He has been placed by the Democratic Party and antiwar activists as a spokesman against the war above reproach."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/13/AR2006011301736.html

Except for this, from Murtha's spokesperson:

"We certainly believe that the questions being raised are an attempt to distract attention from what's happening in Iraq." As for how Murtha won the Purple Hearts, she said: "We think the congressman's record is clear. We have the documentation, the paperwork that proves that he earned them, and that he is entitled to wear them proudly."

and this from Pelosi:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said, "The Swift Boat-like attacks on an American hero, Congressman Jack Murtha, are despicable and have no place in politics."

,Krutz regurgitates the CNS smear-

[txindy]

1. Regurgitates it or brings attention to the smear tactics?

I could go either way on that. I'd like to think he's drawing attention to the smearers, though. After folks read his column, they might think about the whackjobs behind these comments that the M$M talking heads casually toss out as 'fact'.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. Kurtz reports the unsubstantiated attacks

as if they have merit. That is exactly what was done to Kerry. Rather than INVESTIGATING the merits of the charges being made, he repeats them along with the denials. This elevates smears to 'newsworthy'. Now the charges have been printed in a paper of record: the WP. The smearers can now quote from Kurtz's article and cite the WP as a source for the allegations. Sorry, but this is irresponsible journalism, this is facilitating, this is bullshit. Kurtz is a war criminal along with the rest of the whoremedia.

[msongs]

2. therefore bush's military record is also OK to question. nt

[NYCGirl]

3. It always has been, but neither man's military service is relevant to the

case right now. Murtha is expressing his researched opinion (which I believe is the correct one), and the White House is just regurgitating their talking points.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. This is so disgusting. They literally have no shame. Remember when

a few weeks ago *'s advisors said to start the year they should get back to campaign like methods?

Guess they weren't kidding.